The BLTS Archive- Decision by Arachnia47 (arachnia47@startrekmail.com) --- Archive: ASC and JetK yes; others please ask Feedback: Of course! Paramount owns the characters, but words are free and I can put them in any order my muse tells me to. --- "Sleep well." "And you." Kathryn turned as Kashyk entered his quarters. She glared at the ensign standing guard. "As you were." Was he smirking? Could even the guard see the heat that passed between them? Nonsense. She was imagining things. As she walked to her quarters, the tight feeling in her gut forced her to acknowledge the truth. A certain chemistry existed between her and Kashyk. While they were working on finding the wormhole, listening to Tchaikovsky, she had connected with him in a way she hadn't connected with anyone in years. The excitement of getting to know someone, of working with someone who appreciated her love of science, of feeling that heat that comes from flirting, just a little, with an attractive man--oh, how she'd missed that! The door to her quarters swooshed as she passed through it. Why was this room so warm? She shrugged off her jacket. That inner heat tugged at her again. Insomnia was nothing new to Kathryn, but tonight it was going to be completely impossible for her to sleep. She knew he'd felt the attraction, too. He was an enigma to her; however, she knew she couldn't trust him. She took nothing from him at face value; rather, she assumed it was all deception. Yet that insistent pull of desire made her wonder how much of the flirtation was genuine. Of course he was attractive, she admitted to herself. He was tall, well-built, and muscular. His eyes were dark, deep, and expressive. His voice was deep and husky, he was intelligent. He loved music, as she did. His confidence, too, was powerful and seductive. It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to think of any man in that way. She didn't trust him for a second, but she'd be lying if she didn't admit that she responded to him on a physical level. In an effort to distract herself, she picked up one of the PADDs on the table. It was a medical report from the Doctor. Apparently he had requested that Kashyk undergo routine screening to ensure that Neelix's food would not cause him harm. The Doctor was certainly thorough, Kathryn thought as she skimmed the dull, lengthy report. The Doctor knew that his reports on each new species needed to be complete and ready for inclusion in the Federation database, so he went into exhaustive detail. She had some difficulty concentrating on his description of the Devore cardiovascular system, but just as she was about to give up and put the PADD down, she noticed one rather prominent notation. "The Devore species is biologically similar to and compatible with humans." She gulped, hard, as she read that statement again. Subconsciously, her hand rose to her face. On some deep level, she was vaguely aware that her face was hot and flushed. What the hell was wrong with the environmental controls, anyway? Why was it so damn hot in here? In an effort to cool down, she pulled off her turtleneck, leaving the tank top she wore underneath. That still didn't help. Suddenly feeling confined, she dropped the PADD on the table and began to pace aimlessly around the room. Though she initially had no particular goal in mind, she wound up at the replicator. "Coffee. Black," she said out of habit. Distracted, she sipped from the mug. No, still too hot. She put down the mug. She had the vague feeling that only one thing was going to work this time. This attraction, this heat, would not be denied. Thoughts raced wildly through her head. Absently, she listed all the reasons she could not even consider pursuing this attraction. She'd managed to suppress that aspect of her biology for years, after all, releasing the tension in grueling games of Velocity instead. Still, that relentless heat throbbed within her. She closed her eyes. The frustration was almost unbearable. Suddenly all the reasons why not washed away, and all she could think of was Kashyk, his voice, his face, and how very, very much she wanted to feel his hands on her flesh. The usual Starfleet excuses just didn't seem to be enough anymore. All that seemed to matter was that he was male and she was female. The fact that he was dangerous and unknown only added to the attraction. She was a risk-taker by nature. Playing life safe bored her. She enjoyed strategy; she thrived on challenge. She loved discovering the unknown. It was a part of who she was. This desire to explore the unexplored was why she joined Starfleet. Inevitably she made a decision. Her definition of first contact was about to expand. She activated her commbadge. "Janeway to Kashyk." Her voice was smooth, deep, almost a purr. His voice was husky and warm as velvet. "Yes, Kathryn." She heard not even a hint of surprise in his tone; it was as if he'd expected her to call him. She didn't know whether to be flattered or annoyed. She decided it didn't matter. "Is that invitation still good?" "Of course, Kathryn." A slow, seductive smile spread across her features. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." She broke the connection. She knew exactly what invitation she had just accepted. That was all right. The captainly side of her had decided that this was good strategy. She knew he was attracted to her; she would use that. When winning is everything, you must do everything to win. She smiled again. It just so happened that the womanly side of her would reap the benefits from this command decision. She loved a win-win situation. After a shower and change of clothes, she walked purposefully to a panel on the wall and set the coordinates for his room. "Site to site transport, authorization Janeway pi one zero zero acknowledged," the computer voice said to no one as Kathryn beamed out. --- She materialized in his sitting room. He was leaning against the wall in that arrogant way he had, his posture indicating that he was in control. Well, he could think that, if he wanted to; she knew better. She looked intently at him, studying his face, her eyes smoldering with desire. He silently watched her walk toward him, noticing the sinewy grace with which she moved. She stopped when she was just one step away from him, never taking her eyes from his. "Do you have any idea what you do to me, Kashyk?" Her voice was low, sensual. Without waiting for an answer, she closed the gap between them. She reached her hand up and pulled his head down to hers. His mouth was firm as he responded to her kiss. The touch of his hand on her neck was tender as he caressed her jawbone with his thumb. She deepened the kiss, her senses reeling from his touch. Breathless, he broke the kiss and pulled back slightly. He searched her eyes, not certain what he saw there. She met his gaze evenly, waiting. Finally he bent his head to hers, crushing her mouth beneath his. His hands were on either side of her face, holding her gently but firmly. After a long, mind-reeling moment, she turned her head slightly as she reached up to hold his hand. Her eyes still closed, she caressed his hand with her cheek as she kissed his palm softly. "If I didn't know before, I certainly do now," he replied. His voice was low, yet it still had that arrogant undertone. His smug expression suggested that he thought he was in control of this situation. Kathryn smiled inwardly--he was mistaken. "Shut up and kiss me," she growled softly. She looked up at him, her blue eyes dark with passion. She pulled him to her again, wrapping her arms around his shoulders to hold him closer. This time she teased his lips lightly with her tongue as he buried his hands in her hair, savoring its silky feel. Her kiss became more insistent, her tongue tantalizing him, her teeth lightly brushing against his skin as her mouth trailed over his jawline to kiss the sensitive spot beneath his ear. He gasped as her hot mouth pulled at his earlobe and she bit just slightly, her hands traveling across his shoulders and down his back. He held her tightly against him, crushing her to his chest. "You're wearing too many clothes, Inspector." Her voice was so low he hardly heard her. He felt her breasts moving against his chest as her breathing deepened and became ragged. He watched her unfasten his shirt while he firmly stroked her back, then her bare arms. He couldn't take his eyes from her. He watched her face, he watched her color rise, her skin radiant with wanting. Her breath caught as she ran her hands through the dark curls on his chest. She'd been wanting to do that since she saw the way his chest hair peeked out of his civilian clothes. She breathed in his spicy scent, wanting to experience him with all of her senses. Her eyes closed. Her head fell back as she leaned into his hands, loving how they felt on her back, on her shoulders, on her arms. Then his mouth was on her throat, his lips teasing her. She felt him breathing in her scent while his tongue lightly traced her collarbone. She moaned slightly, the sound resonating deep within her chest. His mouth moved lower, following the edge of her tank top. He ran one hand down her arm then up along her rib cage, as his thumb brushed the side of her breast. She arched her back, pressing toward his touch, craving his warmth. He answered her unspoken demand, cupping her breast firmly in his hand, kneading it gently, then brushing lightly across the sensitive tip. She let her breath out in a deep, ragged sigh, letting herself be swept by the sensations. Her fingers found the ridge running down the center of his chest. Suddenly it seemed very important to find out just how far that ridge went. He helped her, shrugging out of the sleeves as she pushed his shirt off his shoulders. She explored the ridge with her hands first, then her tongue, tracing slowly down his chest. He pulled her to him, raising her chin to take her mouth again in a deep kiss that made her legs quiver. Every nerve was on edge, every touch spread the heat and desire within her. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stand up. She moved forward a little, backing him toward the sofa. Instead, Kashyk swept her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. He put her down just inside the door, holding her, kissing her, his mouth slowly trailing down her throat again, eliciting a low moan as Kathryn lost herself in what he was doing to her. His hands slowly roamed over her, caressing her back, her shoulders, her arms, and her breasts as she strained toward him. It had been a long time, far too long, since she'd had a man's hands on her. Waves of rapture flowed over her. Kathryn's senses were reeling, her head was swimming, but it still wasn't enough. She wanted...no...she needed this contact. She needed the feel of someone else's body, to feel someone else's heat. It still wasn't enough. She needed the feel of flesh on flesh, of someone else's touch. She needed hands that weren't hers touching her, stroking her, teasing her, setting her on fire, making her feel, making her feel alive. She wanted the exhilaration of being with someone for the first time, the seductive power of being the focus of someone else's attention. She wanted his mouth, his hands, his body.... She had denied herself for far too long. A ragged breath tore from deep in her chest. She needed to slow down. An idea came to her. Ignoring the look of slight confusion on his face, she put her hands on his arms and steered him to sit on the nearby chair. Never taking her eyes from his, she bent her right leg up behind her at the knee so she could reach back and unzip her boot. His eyes darkened with desire as he realized what she was doing. Her boot unzipped, she rested her foot on the chair, between his legs. He ran his hands down her calf, sending a chill through her, before pulling off her boot. Then, unwilling to relinquish her foot so quickly, he slowly pushed her sock down and eased it over her heel and off her toes. Working to maintain control, Kathryn reclaimed her foot and performed the same maneuver with the left boot. This time he was bolder, caressing her thigh through her uniform before slowly moving his hands down her leg. He removed her boot and sock, massaging her foot firmly with his warm hands. Fighting to slow down her breathing, she squirmed under his touch so she could step back a little. Impatient with the layers of fabric still between her skin and his hands, but unwilling to rush the moment, she crossed her arms and slowly took the hem of her top in her hands. Stretching with an almost feline grace, she slowly slid the tank top up over her head. She let it fall to the floor. She could see the passion rising in him as he watched her. She heard a sharp intake of breath as she reached back to unzip her trousers, causing her so-recently revealed breasts to thrust forward slightly. She smiled. She loved having this power over him. She idly wondered if the Devore had any game like chess in their culture and, if they did, if their equivalent of the queen was also the most powerful piece. She started slowly pushing her trousers off her hips. In one fluid motion Kashyk stood up and was in front of her, his hands on hers, helping her kick them off, his mouth trailing hot kisses down her neck, across her shoulder. "Kathryn, you're beautiful," he breathed. Never had he seen such an exotic woman. Her smooth, fair skin aroused him. Her silky auburn hair excited him. He explored her breasts, marveling at the feel of her skin, soft but firm. Instead of the prominent ridges he was accustomed to, he felt just a hint of her rib cage under tight muscle. She seemed so small and fragile to him. Yet, he knew her to be both strong and intelligent. She intrigued him, such a study in contrasts. So strong, yet here she was, moaning under his hands as he stroked her flesh, just waiting for him to take her. And take her he would, and not only tonight. Once this game was over and the wormhole was found and destroyed, Voyager would belong to the Devore, her crew in the gaharay camps, and her captain... ah, yes, her lovely, sensuous captain... well, he could think of a few ways and places to take Voyager's captain. So intelligent, and she would belong to him when this was over. Oh, how he would enjoy possessing her. --- Through eyes hooded with desire, Kathryn watched his face. She saw his passion, his wanting...and his arrogance. As much as she wanted to believe in him, however, she would not make the mistake of underestimating him. Too many lives depended on her. Though she wanted to believe it was possible he was telling her the truth, she knew it was probable that he was not. But as his mouth closed around her breast and the waves of pleasure washed over her, she decided to enjoy the moment and save the strategic planning for later. Her eyes closed, her head went back, and her hands buried themselves in his hair. Gods, how could she have denied this to herself for so long? Her knees were so weak she could hardly stand. He felt her tremble. He reveled in her reactions to him. The physiology of her species was slightly different, but science was remarkably consistent in its creation of life forms. He rather prided himself on his skill with women, and he intended to treat this one to every charm he had. Raising his mouth to hers and holding her close to him, he kissed her deeply and murmured, "Do you always make your guests feel so welcome?" "Only those who love coffee and music, Inspector." She smiled alluringly at him. "Please, Kathryn. It's 'Kashyk' now." His lingering gaze took in her naked splendor. "Thank the star gods for coffee and music, then." He dipped his head down and kissed the swell of one breast. "As much as I've come to like coffee, though, I think I'd rather taste you." With that, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. As he lay her down, he kicked off what was left of his clothes and lay next to her, propped on one elbow so he could look at her in the dim light that shone through from the sitting area. He ran his hand slowly down her body, from her shoulder, down over one breast, over her flat stomach, and over the curve of her hip. His hand traveled back, just as slowly, finally winding around her other breast, massaging it firmly, teasing the tip. Kathryn let out a ragged breath, the sound of it igniting Kashyk's passion. He whispered, somewhat smugly, "I know I'd rather hear you than Tchaikovsky. Your sounds are so much more...inspiring." "You never shut up, do you," she purred as she rolled toward him and pulled him to her mouth for another breathtaking kiss. "I think I like your mouth better when it's...otherwise occupied." It vaguely surprised her that she had so missed this simple thing, the thrill of kissing someone. But his mouth was hot, his hands were doing wondrous things to her, and he was dangerous and unpredictable. Something incredibly erotic about that combination drove her to distraction. Even now, his mouth was moving down to her breasts again, his tongue and lips teasing her slowly. Slowly and firmly he stroked her, stroked her arms, stroked her back, stroked her hips. Every nerve tingled as her skin thrilled to his touch. He listened to her purrs and moans of pleasure as he learned her body. He stole a glance at her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips were parted. She was breathing hard, her breasts rising and falling with each breath. Gods, she was beautiful. He didn't know if it was the physiology of her species, or if it was just her, but he was amazed at how responsive she was. He loved how her body arched as he kissed her mouth, how she leaned into him, how her hands pulled him closer. He couldn't get enough of the feel of her skin, how smooth it was, how she writhed beneath his touch. He wanted to touch every last inch of her, to know what made her sigh, what made her moan, what made her scream. Kashyk listened as her moans became almost whimpers, as if she were pleading with him. He smiled inwardly at his effect on her. Then he slowed down more, wanting his control over her to last as long as possible. Kathryn felt like she was drifting outside time itself as she gave over every thought to the delicious sensations. She raked her nails lightly across his skin, grazing the ridges on his chest, as he straddled her. She had never felt so alive and powerful. She envisioned every cell of her body tingling with energy as she quivered under his exquisite touch. Maddeningly slowly his hands moved over her skin. He caressed her taut stomach and savored the smoothness of her thighs. Spreading his hands wide to touch as much of her as possible, he let them drift lazily back up her legs, his fingers brushing her inner thighs. She tensed slightly, anticipating his touch. He chuckled, knowing what she expected. "Patience, Kathryn," he drawled huskily. Her voice was deep and sexy as she answered him. "I've waited five years, Kashyk. I'm in no hurry." She raised herself up on her elbows to look at him. The passion in her eyes set him on fire with desire. A seductive smile spread slowly across her face as she noticed his obvious state of arousal. "The question might be how patient you are." "Gods, woman, but you're infuriating," he murmured into her neck as he held her to him in a crushing embrace. She kissed him with an intensity that surprised him as she pressed herself into his chest. He didn't want to hold back any more; he wanted to take her then and there. He pushed her back on the pillows and pressed his hands downward along her curves. As his hands moved back up her legs, he discovered the dampness between her thighs. Repositioning himself beside her, he nudged her knees apart, sliding up her inner thigh to her center. "Ohhhhhhhhhh..." Kathryn shuddered as he held her, his fingers teasing her folds, massaging her swollen flesh. Uncontrollably she writhed, grinding into his touch, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. He couldn't take his eyes from her. He was mesmerized by the intensity and passion he saw on her face and in how her body tensed and quivered. Just watching her was amazingly erotic. He ached to bury himself inside her, to feel her slickness pour over him. More, and more, he teased her with his fingers while her moans turned to whimpers turned to cries as he knew she was almost there, almost at the edge. He slowed, ignoring the sounds of her frustration. "Now, dammit," she said through clenched teeth. He knelt between her knees and stroked her again, faster and more firmly, following her rhythm as she ground into his hand. She was up on her elbows with her head back, her breasts rising and falling with every ragged breath. He'd never seen anyone more beautiful. When she reached her climax he thrust deeply into her, again, and again, endlessly, as she met him stroke for stroke, rising toward him, resting her head on his chest, clenching her muscles around him, wanting it to last forever. An eternity later, he rested his head on hers, kissing her hair, before lowering them both to the pillows. He encircled her in his arms, holding her while she still quivered from the aftershocks of their joining. She stayed there, for a little while, imagining for a moment what it might be like if he wasn't deceiving them, what it might be like if he stayed. Chiding herself for having foolish dreams, she slowly extricated herself from the circle of his arms. "Sleep well," she whispered after she dressed. "And you," he answered. As she activated the site to site transport back to her quarters, she smiled. She knew she'd sleep well tonight. --- The End