by Lisa Countryman 2/99

lcountry@quiknet.com

CHAPTER ONE

Kathryn Janeway smiled as her velocity shot bounced off the chest of her opponent.

"Damn," Lieutenant B’Elanna Torres said. "You did that on purpose."

"Of course I did," Janeway replied.

"Contact Torres. Point Janeway. Janeway fourteen, Torres two," the melodic voice of the computer announced.

Janeway smiled as she waited for the red hovering disk to reappear. It would change color to blue as soon as she shot it with her phaser.

Torres watched as Janeway fired and the disk turned blue as it shot into the black and yellow grid of the holodeck. B’Elanna reacted quickly, firing and sending it back directly at the Captain.

Janeway stood her ground and fired only when the disk got within a foot of her phaser; the close proximity of the impact increased the speed of the disk so it bounced off the wall and into Torres’ leg before she could fire.

"Nice," B’Elanna said.

"Game and match Janeway," the computer replied.

"Thanks," Janeway said. "You did well."

"Yeah, fifteen to two. Real well," the Klingon Human hybrid said with a disgusted sigh.

"B’Elanna, I’ve been playing a lot longer than you."

"Face it, Captain, you kicked my butt," Torres said as she picked up her water bottle from the bench at the edge of the holodeck.

The captain joined her and wiped her face with her Starfleet issue towel as she sat next to the Klingon Human hybrid. "You gave me a tough workout," Janeway said. <"But I miss Seven,"> Kathryn thought to herself.

"I’ve been teaching Tom to play, so I’m not used to losing," Torres said.

Janeway smiled at the thought of her impatient Chief of Engineering trying to teach her lover Tom Paris the intricacies of Velocity.

"How’s he doing?" Janeway asked.

"Actually, he’s doing pretty well," B’Elanna said with a shy smile. "He’s a natural athlete. But don’t tell him I said that. His head would swell to the size of a small moon."

"Maybe I should challenge him to a match."

"Oh, no," Torres said. "He’s just getting his confidence up," she paused and then turned to the captain with a huge smile. "How ‘bout a game of doubles?"

Janeway smiled back and nodded. "I’d like that, but I’ve never actually played doubles. It’ll be a new experience."

"Good, maybe we’ll have half a chance," the Klingon said with a grin.

"I’m sure you’ll do fine." Janeway quickly thought about her schedule for the coming week. "How about this Thursday, 19:00 hours?"

"Sounds great. So Captain, who ya’ gonna’ partner up with? Chakotay?"

"No." Janeway said as she considered the one person she did want to be her partner and not just in Velocity.

"Who?"

"Oh, I have someone in mind," Janeway said cryptically as she stood and gathered her things to leave.

"Fine," Torres called out to Janeway as the captain exited the holodeck. "But whoever it is better be good. Doubles a lot more complex than singles." Torres watched the captain leave and decided she’d better have Paris come down for a few extra practice sessions.

Janeway headed toward the turbolift and was instantly lost in her thoughts. The two-hour workout with B’Elanna had been exhilarating, but throughout the match she kept comparing the Klingon Human hybrid to a certain blonde Borg. Kathryn Janeway headed toward Astrometrics and wondered if she was doing the right thing. Certainly Seven of Nine was the best choice on the ship for a velocity partner. Seven was the only crewmember who Kathryn thought might someday be able to beat her, but Seven’s skill wasn’t the issue. Seven of Nine, former Borg drone, was the only person on the ship Kathryn Janeway could imagine losing herself in. She was the captain. <"Captains do not lose themselves to anyone,"> Kathryn told herself. <"So why does she fill my fantasies?" > Kathryn’s inner voice asked. And fill Kathryn’s fantasy she did, the captain had to fight to keep her breathing in check whenever the sensual blonde came into the room. Kathryn was constantly battling herself when it came to Seven; part of Kathryn wanted to approach Seven to ask her out . . . <"Yeah, like that would happen."> That wouldn’t happen because, not only was it contrary to every paragraph of Starfleet protocol, but, and more importantly Kathryn admitted, Seven didn’t return the feelings. It would be bad enough to ask her Astrometrics officer out on a date, but to be rejected by a subordinate officer would be . . . Well, Kathryn didn’t think she knew a word to describe the magnitude of that awkward situation. Kathryn wouldn’t do that to Seven, to put the former Borg drone in a position to reject the captain was something she would not do. It was bad enough for Seven to deal with all of the intricacies of humanity without the captain complicating things, so, Kathryn contented herself to a friendship with the former Borg, acting as a mentor of sorts. <"Mentor, yeah, keep telling yourself that, Kathryn,"> she told herself. <"When Seven stayed on that Borg ship, you didn’t act like a mentor.">

Janeway remembered the moment Seven told her, "I intend to rejoin the collective." The captain had felt her universe implode; she had told Seven, "I’m not leaving without you," but what she had not added, was that leaving Seven would mean leaving her own heart and soul. The thought of those Borg monsters assimilating her beloved Annika again had driven the captain insane. An insanity compounded by the fact that the only other member of the crew who seemed to care that Seven was ripped from Voyager was young Naomi Wildman, the ship’s only child.

Kathryn realized she had arrived at deck six, location of Astrometrics. She had been so lost in thought that she had never registered her journey, but Seven had that effect on her. The captain had never felt so pulled in two diametrically opposed directions by someone in her life. Janeway steadied herself and pushed her emotional side into the back of her mind, or at least as far back as it would go. Once she had her most professional Starfleet bearing firmly in place she was ready to see Seven. Which meant, that she would be in control of her emotions for all of about point 5 seconds after she took one look at Seven of Nine. Captain Janeway, vanquisher of the Borg Collective, lost her nerve and stayed in the turbolift considering her options. The Starfleet captain knew approaching Seven to be her Velocity partner was a bad idea. Kathryn Janeway’s heart, on the other hand, was demanding it. <"What could it hurt?"> Kathryn’s heart asked. Janeway tried not to focus on the fact that whenever she was next to Seven she could feel the heat radiating off the young woman and that she found it almost impossible to maintain her distance as captain.

Seven of Nine stood in the Astrometrics Department and tried to focus on the planet survey in front of her. She decided the padd must be faulty and unceremoniously threw it across the room, watching as it shattered satisfactorily when it impacted the far wall. She checked the time on her monitor noting that her shift had ended two hours earlier, but she didn’t feel like leaving. If she went back to her alcove in the Cargo Bay, she knew she would just think about Kathryn. <"The captain,"> Seven corrected. The captain was in the holodeck playing Velocity with B’Elanna Torres. Janeway usually played Velocity with Seven, and the young Borg realized she didn’t like the idea of Kathryn, the captain, playing their game with someone else. Not that Seven was the only one who the captain played against; Janeway routinely played and defeated many of the crewmembers. It just bothered Seven more this time. Janeway and Seven had been meeting for Velocity every Tuesday after their shift for several months. Certainly in the beginning, they had scheduled the games, but they had fallen into a pattern over the last five months. This was the first time they hadn’t met each other, and Seven didn’t like it one bit. Seven realized, <"I am jealous that Kathryn is playing our game with Lieutenant Torres.">

She went back to her console and pulled up the Slip-Stream data. Certainly a little extra time on the captain’s favorite project might be in order she concluded with a sigh. Seven had come to realize that she had fallen in love with Kathryn a very long time ago. So long in fact, it was difficult for the former Borg to remember a time when she hadn’t been in love with the captain. Yes, her Borg memory could pinpoint the exact moment she realized it, but her life before loving Kathryn just seemed less noteworthy. She had tried to think of her love as a disease, she even had a discussion with Harry Kim about it, but it was no use. Seven finally accepted that these feelings for Kathryn were quite pleasant, and they made her feel more human, made her believe in the existence of her own soul. Certainly the amount of love Seven felt for Kathryn could not be limited to the minuscule lifespan Humans experienced. Unfortunately, these feelings also brought pain, pain because the captain would never return the love that absorbed Seven, pain because Kathryn often cut deeply into Seven’s newly discovered soul without even knowing it, pain because jealousy would eat away at the young Borg. She considered this. <"Jealousy is the most annoying emotion associated with love. Why must I love the captain?"> Of all the people on board Voyager, the captain was the only one capable of competing with Seven intellectually. True, Tuvok was intelligent, but he was also Vulcan, and married . . . and he didn’t have hair with red highlights and eyes that looked like smoke painted a dozen shades of blue. Seven decided Tuvok wasn’t someone she could be attracted to. <"I am only attracted to Kathryn,"> she admitted. She pictured Kathryn in her mind and felt her chest tighten as her pulse increased. <"Arousal,"> Seven identified. She allowed one side of her mouth to rise, the closest thing to a smile the reserved Borg felt comfortable with at the moment. She thought about Kathryn’s smile, it was something the captain didn’t exhibit often, but when she did, it made Seven’s stomach tingle. <"She smiles quite often when we play Velocity,"> the smile left Seven’s lips as she remembered that the captain was with B’Elanna.

Seven picked up the nearest padd on her desk and threw it at the wall.

The doors to the Astrometrics Lab opened as the padd hit the wall and crashed to the deck. Captain Janeway stopped and eyed the splintered padd on the floor.

"Seven?" Janeway asked.

"Captain," Seven said, stunned to see the object of her musings standing in front of her. Seven felt her face warm as a delicate pink colored her cheeks.

"Are you in the habit of welcoming all your guests in this manor?" Voyager’s Captain asked with a wry grin.

"I did not hear you coming in," Seven replied in her crisp precise speech pattern she had acquired during her eighteen years as a Borg drone. "I was having … difficulties concentrating on the Slip-Stream project."

"I see," Janeway said as she folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head to one side. "So you decided a test flight of the padd was in order?"

Seven felt her cheeks darken further. "I do not entirely understand the reasoning behind my action," Seven said and lowered her eyes. "For some reason I felt this would assist in my concentration."

Janeway crossed the distance between them and stopped directly in front of Seven. "Did it?"

Seven lifted her head and looked the captain directly in the eyes. "No."

"Good, because this is unacceptable behavior." The captain gently placed her hand on Seven’s shoulder. Kathryn clenched her muscles to stop the shiver moving down her spine as soon as she felt the heat radiating off the young woman’s body. "Maybe you should call it a day. Weren’t you off duty several hours ago?"

"Yes," Seven answered, but she didn’t add that she would have gladly stopped working at the prescribed hour if her regular Velocity match had been available.

"What are you still doing here?" Kathryn asked.

"I didn’t have anywhere else to be," Seven stated plainly.

Janeway’s hand was still on Seven’s shoulder so she casually removed it. "I should have mentioned that B’Elanna challenged me to a Velocity match. This was the only time she had available today."

Seven felt her chest relax slightly, but she didn’t let it show.

"You do not owe me any explanation," Seven said. "We did not have a scheduled match today."

"Yes," Janeway allowed, "but I feel like we do have a set routine. I’d like to continue it... officially."

Seven smiled at the captain, only a brief lifting of the corner of her mouth, but for the Borg, it was quite radiant. "I would like that." Seven said. She looked at the captain, who was still in her Velocity outfit. "Captain, how was your match?"

"I won," Janeway said.

"Of course, I would expect nothing less," the former drone said with pride evident in her voice.

Janeway smiled and leaned back against the center console. "Thank you for your confidence. Which reminds me, I did have a reason for coming in here."

"Of course, Captain," Seven said. She straightened her impressive frame, linked her hands behind her back, and tilted her Borg enhanced left eye toward the Captain.

"At ease," Janeway said. She smiled at the enthusiastic young woman. "<I wonder how enthusiastic she is about other things?"> Janeway asked herself. <"Stop that, Kathryn,"> she chastised herself.

Seven stood her ground, her sky blue eyes searching the captain’s face, but the Borg said nothing, oblivious to the Captain’s inner musings.

"Seven, I was wondering if you’d be willing to be my partner in a doubles match of Velocity," Kathryn asked formally.

Seven felt the remaining tightness in her chest dissipate. Her eyes brightened and she stepped toward the captain. "I would be honored, Captain," she answered crisply with the hint of pride back in her voice.

"Great," Janeway said. "And we’re off duty, so please call me Kathryn."

"I would be honored, Kathryn. Whom are we playing?"

"B’Elanna and Tom. I made arrangements to play them on Thursday at 19:00 hours, if you can make it." Janeway quickly added.

"That would be acceptable, Kathryn." Seven liked using the captain’s first name.

They stood there, silent for a moment, and then Kathryn’s heart took possession of the captain’s vocal chords.

"Seven," Janeway began, "how would you like to join me for dinner?" The captain in Kathryn knew she was on thin ice. <"Bad idea, Kathryn,"> her inner voice warned.

"I already consumed solid nutrition twenty-eight hours ago," Seven responded, sounding somewhat disappointed.

Janeway took Seven by the arm and began pulling her toward the doorway. "Seven, you need to eat every day, and you should be eating at least three times a day." <"And it gives me an excuse to sit with you..."> Kathryn’s heart added happily.

"Kathryn," Seven said patiently. "I regenerate in my Borg alcove. It provides me with all requisite energy. My ingestion of solid foods is supplemental." Seven let the captain lead her out the door. She was careful not to let Kathryn get ahead of her. She wanted Janeway’s hand on her arm as long as possible, enjoying the way Janeway’s fingers were laced around Seven’s upper arm and everywhere the captain’s digits touched, Seven’s skin seemed to register elevated temperature.

"Seven, don’t you understand that the more you eat, the less you’ll need to regenerate?"

"Eating is inefficient," Seven answered logically, still basking in the Captain’s touch.

"Yes," Janeway said as she pulled Seven toward the turbolift, "but it is Human… And if you give it a chance, you might just start to enjoy it."

"Actually, I believe there are many Human things I could enjoy." Seven said, keenly aware of her own rising pulse that seemed to be increasing exponentially the longer Kathryn held her arm.

Janeway smiled at the young woman. <"And many human things I’d like to teach you... I wonder if she has any idea what she does to me?"> Kathryn thought to herself as she sighed. <"Give it up. She doesn’t even know, let alone care. And... if she did, it would still be a bad idea. She’s a member of your crew.">

"Let’s start with dinner, okay?" Janeway said as the turbolift doors opened.

"That is acceptable," Seven said eyeing her captain. "You said start. That implies the intention to experience other Human things, Kathryn. What other Human things will we be experiencing tonight?" Seven hoped it involved spending much more time looking into Kathryn’s crisp blue-grey eyes.

This time Janeway felt her cheeks blush. <"Why does she has to be so attentive every word I say?"> The captain cleared her throat and then finally said, "It’s figure of speech."

"Oh," Seven said slowly.

"You sound disappointed," Janeway said as the turbolift doors hissed shut. "What did you have in mind?" Janeway tried to stop her unprofessional, and quite glandular train of thought. <"She’s not thinking about that, Kathryn.">

"I…" Seven began. <"Why does she make it so difficult for me to process simple dialogue?"> the young Borg thought. Seven took a deep breath and continued, "I only meant that… as I said, eating is inefficient."

"I’ll do my best to pick something out for you that you’ll like," said with a half grin.

Seven raised her eyebrow. "Why would you choose anything else?"

The captain eyed Seven, trying to decide if her Astrometrics officer was being serious. She decided Seven was toying with her. "You’re sense of humor is improving. I like seeing your playful side."

Seven allowed an actual smile to cross her face. "Then I shall show it more often. I enjoy making you happy."

<"She is a vision,"> Janeway thought. <"I wish I could look into her eyes forever."> Instead, the captain decided she would have to settle for getting the young woman dinner. "Let’s get dinner." She addressed the computer, "Mess hall."

The turbolift lurched to a start. Both women stood silently as the lights from the passing decks flickered behind them. Neither aware that their thoughts and feelings were synchronized and had been for some time.

CHAPTER TWO

Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay were the last of the senior staff to enter the conference room. Janeway went to the head of the table and Chakotay took the empty chair to her right. Janeway nodded hello to her officers lining the table, Ensign Kim, the Doctor, Ensign Paris, Lieutenant Torres, Lieutenant Tuvok and finally Seven of Nine who was sitting at the opposite end of the table. The captain didn’t make eye contact with Seven. Lately looking at the young woman was enough to make the captain’s pulse race. She didn’t need the distraction.

"Good afternoon people," the captain began, yet she really didn’t expect any verbal responses. "If you don’t mind, I’d like to get right to business. We’re entering an uncharted section of space. We need to do extensive long-range scans. Seven of Nine will be heading up the team. She’s got some sensor upgrades that need to be implemented as soon as possible." Janeway turned to the lanky blonde at the end of the table. "Seven, can you get us up to speed?"

The former Borg nodded to the captain before addressing the table. "I have used Borg algorithms to design enhancements for the aft sensor arrays. We will be able to increase the range by 86 percent, but it will require an increased power drain of 135 percent of normal--"

"What?" Torres blurted out. "Seven, are you crazy? We can’t run that kind of power through those sensors. You’ll blow out the entire section..."

"I have taken the necessary precautions, and all of my simulations have been successful," Seven countered.

"Captain," Torres said turning in her chair to face Janeway, "I’m not putting my people on a project that’s guaranteed to blow out the sensors just so I have to repair the damage..."

Janeway held up her hand, instantly silencing the Klingon Human hybrid. "Seven, are you sure this will work?"

Seven’s eyes sparkled. "My calculations are accurate."

Torres rolled her eyes, "I’m supposed to take her word on this, Captain?"

"Lieutenant, take a look at Seven’s projections and then you can discuss any problems you find," Janeway said.

Seven’s eyes widened at the suggestion that her projections had any faults, but a quick glance from the captain silenced her objection. Seven turned to Torres, "I will give you a copy of my recommendations. I will be… happy… to discuss any suggestions you have."

The captain smiled, "Thank you, Seven." She turned to Torres. "B’Elanna, will that do?"

"Yes, Captain," she agreed through clenched teeth.

Janeway thought that went smoothly so she continued, "Now, Seven, what do we have so far?"

"Actually," Ensign Kim broke in, "I was doing the current scans for Seven. I just got these in." He held up a padd as proof. It wasn’t necessary, but he wanted to make sure Seven knew he had been working hard on the project she’d asked him to help with.

"Okay, Mr. Kim," the captain said as she leaned back in her chair. "Let’s have a look."

Harry Kim moved to the large com panel and transferred the data from his padd. The images of a distant star system bordered by a red nebula came onto the screen. He straightened his uniform jacket and pointed at a small section of the screen. "The system appears to be uninhabited. We won’t be able to get many specifics until the new sensor upgrades come on line. We can tell that the outer edge of the system has two M-class planets, and it has a set of binary stars at its center and this nebula on the outer rim."

Chakotay leaned forward. "It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen a nebula that dark." He turned to Seven. Her head was turned to one side and she was frowning. "Seven, it looks unique. Do you remember anything from the Collective about this nebula?"

Seven stared at the screen but didn’t seem to hear the First Officer. She shifted in her chair, something the contained young woman never did.

"Seven?" Chakotay asked again.

The young Astrometrics officer leaned forward and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Janeway had never seen Seven display any outward weakness. It concerned her more than she was prepared to admit to anyone. The captain caught herself before she stood.

"Seven?" Janeway asked. "Are you all right?"

Seven looked up at the sound of the captain’s voice. "I am… functioning. I do not have any memories from the Collective about the interior of this star system." She rubbed her temple. "The Borg did not travel through this particular star system."

Janeway’s concern overrode her need maintain her aloof status. She stood to go to the other end of the table. "Seven, what’s wrong?" Janeway said as she pushed a chair out of the way.

"Nothing, I…" Seven stopped mid-sentence and closed her eyes as she continued rubbing her temple.

The Doctor beat the captain to Seven’s end of the table. "I’ll be the judge of that," the Emergency Medical Holographic Doctor said as he began scanning the blonde Borg.

Seven leaned away from the medical scanner and raised her left eyebrow. "I am fine. I am merely experiencing minor cranial discomfort." In truth, it felt like her cranial implant was being removed with a pair of pliers.

"You have a headache," the Doctor translated.

"Yes," Seven snapped. "I hardly think that warrants disrupting a meeting of the senior staff."

Torres leaned forward and eyed the former Borg. Seven looked paler than she usually did, and the normally sedate, collected woman actually seemed disheveled. "I hate to agree with the Doctor, but if Seven’s actually showing that she’s in pain, I’m a little worried, too."

Seven turned to the Chief engineer. "Lieutenant Torres, your concern is… flattering… but I am fine."

The captain knelt down beside Seven and put her hand on the young woman’s thigh. "Let the Doctor examine you."

Seven flinched at the captain’s touch. She now felt her pulse increase and her temperature rise in addition to the annoying headache. "I will comply," she said.

The Doctor completed his scan and then rubbed his lower lip. "Nothing," he said with a touch of disappointment.

"As I said," Seven announced to the room, "I am fine."

The Doctor gave Seven a wounded glare as he returned to his chair, then said, "I want to see you in sickbay once we’re finished here. People don’t get headaches anymore. I want to do a complete work up on you."

"That’s an order," the captain said as she stood. "Now, you said the Borg never passed through this section of space?"

"That is not correct. The Borg did not traverse this binary star system, but they did pass around the section on several occasions." Seven almost reached up to rub her temple again, but stopped the motion. She didn’t want the Doctor or anyone else interrogating her about her cranial discomfort.

Janeway sat back down and looked across the table at Seven. "Are you saying the Borg avoided this star system?"

"I believe so," Seven said. "My memories of this area are from a Borg ship that passed through here three hundred years ago. The Collective chose to avoid this star system. I believe we should do the same."

"That’s a little premature," Janeway said. "We’ll lose eleven months if we have to go around the entire star system." She turned to her left. "Mr. Kim, continue your scans of the system and give me a report by the end of the day." She turned toward her Vulcan Security Officer, "Tuvok, I want security on heightened alert. If the Borg steered clear of the area, we can’t be too safe."

"Understood," Tuvok said.

Janeway looked back to Torres and then Seven. "B’Elanna, Seven, get the upgrades to the sensors on line as soon as possible… and Seven, I want you to let the Doctor do his work up on you before you go anywhere else."

"Yes, Captain," Seven said without making eye contact.

"Dismissed," Janeway said. The staff began to filter out of the room. Janeway watched Seven of Nine collect her padds from the table. "Seven, a moment," she said quietly.

Seven stood at attention and linked her hands behind her back in her traditional fashion. She watched the captain as the others finally exited the room. The captain watched the doors hiss shut and then spun to face Seven.

"All right, what’s going on?" Janeway asked.

"I was about to proceed to sickbay."

"Without an argument?" the captain asked.

"Would you prefer that I challenge you?" Seven asked.

Janeway crossed the room and put her hand on Seven’s shoulder. "I would prefer that you talk to me. This isn’t just a minor headache is it?"

Seven considered what to say, then looked into Janeway’s slate blue eyes and lost her train of thought. "What?"

"Now I’m really concerned," Janeway reached up and cupped Seven’s chin with her hand. "You can’t even track this conversation." Janeway didn’t know what to do, she felt panic rising up from deep within, and it wasn’t a feeling the captain liked, or even tolerated.

"It’s not the headache," Seven said before she realized. "I was looking at your… I mean … I am unaccustomed to headaches." The comment was true. Seven had actually never had a headache before. The fact that Kathryn’s eyes had caused the momentary lapse was something Seven chose not to share.

"How long has this been going on?" Janeway asked.

"The headache began during the senior staff meeting."

"When Harry displayed the new system," Janeway added.

"Yes," Seven said as she realized the captain was right. She put her hand over the captain’s and held it to her skin enjoying the warmth against her cheek.

Janeway pulled her hand back. <"I can’t believe I was just caressing her cheek. What was I thinking?" >Janeway thought. <"But she let me." >The captain cleared her throat. "I’m taking you to a sickbay myself."

Janeway took Seven by the arm and led her to a sickbay, her hand never leaving Seven’s arm. Seven decided that if this were Kathryn’s response, Seven would gladly deal with cranial discomfort.

Seven of Nine sat on the biobed in a sickbay and sighed. She had endured every test the Doctor could think of, and he was still not satisfied. The only thing that made the experience bearable was the fact that the captain had stayed the entire time. Seven looked across the room at the auburn haired woman. The captain was in the doctor’s office arguing with him. <"Kathryn is irritated,"> Seven observed. <"Her face only tightens like that when she is angry or concerned. I do not want to worry her." >Seven stood and went into the Doctor’s office.

"Doctor, if you are finished, I have work to do," Seven said.

Janeway turned and looked at the young blonde. "We need to find out what’s causing this."

Before Seven could protest, the Doctor cut her off.

"Captain," the Doctor said. "I’ve done every test I can think of, and Seven herself said the headache stopped over an hour ago. There’s really nothing else to do. She’s fine. She may just need to increase the length of her regeneration cycle. This is certainly nothing that requires the presence of the captain."

"Doctor," Janeway’s voice dropped to its infamous deep growl. The tone that every member of the crew heard in their worst nightmares. "I decide where my presence is required." She glared at the hologram. "Right now, I am required here. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Captain," he stammered.

"Good."

"I only meant that--"

"If you’re finished with my Astrometrics Officer," Janeway said, "I need her to go over Mr. Kim’s latest findings with me."

"Yes, of course," The Doctor said. "Seven, you’re free to go."

Seven nodded at him and then turned to the captain. Janeway nodded back to her and gestured for Seven to exit. Seven left the sickbay and headed to the turbolift and the captain followed behind her. Kathryn allowed herself the luxury of admiring the sensual swing in Seven’s gait. She thought about the exchange with the Doctor. <"What’s gotten into you, Kathryn? There’s no reason you should have spent half the day in sickbay watching one of your officers get a physical."> Janeway sighed causing Seven to pause and look back. The captain smiled and Seven continued down the corridor. <"Just because you’d like to do your own physical on that six feet of Borg sensuality.">

As the turbolift doors closed behind them, Seven eyed the captain. Seven had accepted that she had fallen in love with the captain. She had accepted that the captain would not, could not, return those feelings. Suddenly she wasn’t convinced.

"Captain," Seven said. "I have a question… of a personal nature…"

<"Oh god,"> Janeway thought. <"She’s figured out that I have feelings for her and she’s uncomfortable with it. Damn."> Janeway straighten her jacket and faced Seven head on, looking directly into her ice blue eyes. "Yes?"

"I have noticed… I… I am… You seem to be concerned about my well being," Seven said. "And I find that it pleases me."

Janeway smiled. "I’m concerned for the well being of all my officers, but I’m glad you’re pleased." Janeway leaned against the wall of the turbolift. "But that’s really not a question." Janeway thought she saw arousal in Seven’s expression. <"She wants you too,"> the Starfleet officer’s heart whispered.

"Yes . . ." Seven paused. <"Why am I finding this situation so difficult?"> she wondered. "I am attracted to you," Seven blurted out and then stepped closer to the captain.

Janeway took a deep breath. <"What the hell am I supposed to do now?"> Captain Janeway wondered. <"Tell her how you feel!"> screamed Kathryn’s heart.

"And," Seven continued, "I believe it is mutual."

Janeway pushed off the side of the wall. "Computer halt," Janeway ordered. "Seven, I... this is a mistake…" <"Tell her!"> yelled Kathryn’s heart. <"Run! Get the hell out of here,"> ordered Captain Janeway’s logical mind.

"Are you saying that you are not attracted to me?" the Borg asked uncertainly.

Janeway looked into the beautiful pastel blue eyes, eyes she couldn’t resist. "No, I’m not saying that. I just don’t think this is the time or place for this discussion." Captain Janeway still controlled the words coming out of her mouth, but her heart was throwing a world class temper tantrum.

Seven felt her heart spasm in her chest. "Kathryn, I would like to explore these feelings with you."

"Whoa . . ." Janeway said. "I just said this isn’t the time or place. Seven, we do need to talk about this, but not now." Kathryn’s heart was screaming at the bewildered captain, <"Let her in...">

"I have already waited far too long to bring this up," Seven tilted her head to her right. "To wait longer would be inefficient. Kathryn Janeway, I would like to ask you out on a date. Do you accept?"

<"I am still the captain, aren’t I? Doesn’t anyone listen to me?"> the captain wondered. "I guess this is the time for this," Janeway said. "Seven, I can’t get involved with you." <"NO,"> screamed Janeway’s heart. <"Don’t push her away!">

"Why?" the Borg demanded. Her voice was adamant.

"I am the Captain. You are a crewmember. It simply can’t be." Janeway’s years in Starfleet pushed down her forsaken heart.

"I am not in Starfleet. Therefore, your argument has no merit." Seven countered.

Kathryn looked at the vision that stood in front of her. <"She’s just so damned cute when she’s angry. Good god, Kathryn… look at her. Why am I even fighting this?"> But Janeway’s training wouldn’t allow her emotions to decide this argument.

"It doesn’t matter that you’re not in Starfleet. I am still your commanding officer. We can’t get involved." Kathryn’s heart continued its appeal, <"Shut up, Kathryn. You’ve waited your whole life for this woman!">

Seven lifted her brow. "If the restrictions of rank were not in place, would you then want to ‘get involved’ with me?"

<"Oh hell,"> the captain thought but she said, "That’s not the issue."

Seven put her hand on Janeway’s shoulder and gentled her voice. "That is the only issue. There are only two questions that are relevant here, Kathryn. Are you attracted to me, and would you like to ‘go out’ with me?"

Janeway sighed and put her hand on Seven’s shoulder. She knew it was a mistake, but she couldn’t seem to pull it back. She smiled. "Where did you hear that term? ‘Go out’ with you?"

"I realized that I had feelings for you, so I researched the nature of romance. I believe I used the term correctly."

"You did," Janeway allowed. Kathryn’s heart was now waving semaphore flags and jumping up and down, <"She’s researched this, you idiot. Don’t push her away!">

"You are attempting to change the subject. Answer my questions," Seven said and then inched closer to the captain.

Janeway admitted, "I am attracted to you, and yes, I would like to ‘go out’ with you, but there are too many reasons not to…" Kathryn’s heart was beginning to make progress.

Seven leaned over and gently kissed the captain. Kathryn started to balk, but her words turned into a moan. She put her hands around Seven’s waist and pulled her closer. It was a gentle undemanding kiss, but full of the promise of passion to follow. Kathryn felt Seven’s tongue gently tease her lips. Before she could think, she opened her lips and let her tongue meet Seven’s. They fell against the wall and Janeway felt the heat from the voluptuous young Borg’s breast pressed against her. <"Yes, yes, yes,"> her heart yelled triumphantly.

<"This is a bad idea,"> Janeway thought to herself after several minutes of deepening kisses. <"But it feels right, it feels like your destiny,"> her heart reasoned. Janeway reached up and gently took Seven’s face in her hands and pulled the young woman into her. Seven moaned as Kathryn’s tongue brushed the entire inside surface of the Borg’s mouth. Finally, Janeway pushed Seven back a fraction of an inch. Their lips parted and Kathryn longed to lean in for another, but she was the captain, and this was a bad idea. "Seven, we can’t do this."

"We just did," the Borg astutely pointed out. Her hands gently moved down the captain’s arms leaving trails of fire in their wake.

"This can’t be. I am very sorry." Janeway looked at the pain that suddenly filled Seven’s eyes. <"No..."> Kathryn’s heart pleaded.

Seven stepped back and examined the captain. "I believe your reasons are invalid, but I will comply." Her voice was cold, but you couldn’t call it Borg, for it was tinged with sorrow.

"Thank you," Janeway said, but her heart couldn’t have been less thankful. "Maybe you should go back to the Cargo Bay and regenerate. The Doctor thought that might have caused your headache. I’ll check the sensor data with Mr. Kim."

"Very well," Seven said quietly. "Do you still wish for me to be your Velocity partner?"

"Of course," Kathryn said a bit too vehemently. Captain Janeway realized her mistake and quickly changed the subject, "Computer, Cargo Bay two, then the bridge."

Seven straightened her posture and glanced at the captain. "Kathryn, I have always found you to be a wise and logical individual… willing to listen to all aspects of an equation before rendering any conclusion…"

Janeway smiled despite her better judgment, "Yes?"

"Is that still true?"

"In most cases…" the captain knew she should tell Seven that this wasn’t open for debate, but her heart ached at that thought. She couldn’t tell Seven that her decision was final. <"I guess that means it isn’t, Kathryn,"> her heart gloated.

"Good," Seven said as the turbolift stopped. She walked off the lift and glanced over her shoulder at the captain and then walked down the corridor swinging her hips in the way that made the captain’s knees actually buckle.

Janeway grabbed the rail to keep her balance. <"Oh, Kathryn, you are in SO much trouble,"> her heart and mind finally agreed.

CHAPTER THREE

Captain Janeway studied the sensor report on her desk. The data from the graveyard shift didn’t tell her any more than Ensign Kim’s report the night before had. Everything they had so far suggested the system ahead was completely innocuous. There wasn’t even one suspicious reading. <"So why did the Borg avoid this system?" >She took a sip of her coffee and decided that until Seven’s improved sensors were up and running, she probably wouldn’t get any real answers. <"And just what are you going to do about her?"> Janeway put her cup down and thought about the gorgeous young woman with hair the color of gold spun into silk. Not really gold the captain decided. It was platinum with a hint of golden highlights. <"Damn, get her out of your mind.">

The chime to her ready room door sounded and Janeway looked up, glad to have a distraction from her musings about her Astrometrics Officer.

"Come in," she said.

The door opened and her stunning Astrometrics Officer sauntered over to the captain’s desk.

"Seven?"

"Captain," the Borg nodded and then took one of the four padds from under her arm. "These are the reports on the sensor upgrades," she said as she set it on the desk. "This is Lieutenant Torres’ report on the sensor array power capacity. She is pleased," Seven added with a smile. "This is the preliminary scan of the outer rim of the star system," she finished as she set the third padd on the desk.

The captain scanned the first padd. "I’m impressed. Good work." Janeway glanced up and noticed that Seven had one padd remaining under her arm. She raised her eyebrows in a silent question.

Seven handed the padd to the captain. "Kathryn, this is a report of a personal nature. It is encoded for your eyes only. Your access codes are required to view it."

"Oh?" Janeway asked. <"What is she up to?">

"Yes. I will return to Astrometrics. I need to recalibrate the sensors for a more sensitive sweep. You may examine the personal report at your leisure."

"Thank you, Seven." Janeway fought to suppress a smile.

"You are welcome, Captain." Seven turned and quickly exited.

Janeway grabbed the last padd and keyed in her command code as fast as her fingers could move. <"At my leisure… She can’t expect me to just let this sit here until the end of my shift…">

The padd accepted her code and the first page filled the tiny screen:

Janeway glanced up at the door, <"Lucky guess."> She looked back down at the padd. Captain Janeway’s resolve was quickly losing out to the longing of Kathryn Janeway’s heart.

c) When have I ever obeyed your commands anyway?

Janeway set the padd down and covered her mouth to hide the giant grin that had appeared. <"She is so cute. I had no idea she had such a sense of humor."> She picked up the padd and continued reading.

"Oh, my," Kathryn whispered. She had wondered if the sensual object of her affection would have a strong sexual appetite. "Well, I guess that answers one question."

Twenty minutes later Janeway heard the chime of her door and glanced up from her list. She turned off the padd, but only after reinstating the security lock.

"Come in," she said.

Commander Chakotay came through the door and quickly crossed to her desk.

"Commander? Is there a problem?" she asked.

"Have you looked over the latest readings?" he asked.

Janeway felt her cheeks blush. She hadn’t even looked at the other padds yet. She had been too busy reading and rereading Seven’s list.

"Uh… no," she said.

"Oh," he said. He hadn’t expected that response. "Well, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary."

Janeway picked through the padds on her desk and found the sensor report. She glanced over it and asked, "Why do you think the Borg avoided it?"

"I don’t know," he said. "Whatever it was, it might not be there anymore. Seven’s information is more than three hundred years old."

"So," she said. "You think we should continue through?

"Yeah," he said as he sat down. "We won’t reach the heart of the system for another six weeks, but I can’t see any reason to go around."

"I agree," she said as she continued to scan the report. She set it down and looked at her First Officer. "Seven’s new sensors will be able to give us a complete reading of the whole system once get closer."

Chakotay smiled. "She said we’ll be close enough in a week to scan all the way to the binary stars at the center."

"Good. So, let’s continue on until we have a reason not to." She smiled at the padds on the desk.

"Kathryn," he began, "you seem rather chipper today."

She gave him one of her droll smiles, "Not to your liking?"

"No, I didn’t say that," he said. "Just wondering, what’s up?"

Janeway eyed him and debated what exactly to tell the handsome first officer. For a short time she had felt an attraction to him, but it quickly faded once she realized he was just too damned easy going for her romantic taste. <"Now, Seven… she is definitely not easy going.">

Chakotay noticed the long pause. "I didn’t mean to invade your privacy, captain."

"Actually, I think I could use someone to talk to about it," she said. She leaned back and tried to figure out where the hell to start.

"It?" His interest was peaked. "So there is an it?"

"Oh yes," she smiled at him and blushed.

"Kathryn, if I didn’t know better I’d say you’ve got a romance brewing," he teased.

"Actually, I do."

"Oh," he said, not knowing how to proceed. He’d never talked to the captain about her personal life. She never had a personal life before. "I see," he finally mumbled.

Janeway leaned forward. She trusted him, and she really did need to talk to someone about this. "We’re in a strange situation here," Kathryn began. "We’re decades from home, and I don’t have a ship’s counselor. So, are you willing to be my sounding board?"

"Of course," he said sincerely, though he had to push down a bit of jealousy.

"How do you think it would affect the crew if I were to begin seeing someone romantically?"

"I think the crew knows you well enough to understand that you wouldn’t let it affect your command," he said with forced calmness.

She smiled. "That’s the diplomatic answer."

He shifted in his chair. "It would depend on who it was. If you were to date some Ensign it might raise a few eyebrows as well as violate quite a few regulations."

"That’s not an issue. I’m not going to date anyone in Starfleet."

He considered that, then his eyes opened wide. "Kathryn! Nelix?"

"God, no," she said adding a deadly glare for good measure.

"Well then…" He considered what that meant. Janeway thought she could actually see the wheels turning in his head. She watched the realization cover his dark features. "Seven?" he finally asked.

"Yes," she said.

"I should have guessed," he said.

"Oh?"

"Kathryn, she’s gorgeous…and I have caught you… checking her out once or twice."

"You have not," Janeway said. <"Oh god, please tell me he’s joking.">

"Well, no. But you two do spend a lot of time together." He didn’t think she wasn’t ready to know that, yes, she did check Seven out on a regular basis. He also didn’t mention her reaction to Seven’s headache. He watched her relax into her chair before he continued. "Have you thought this through? I mean, there are a lot of people on board with… less complicated backgrounds."

"She’s no more complicated than the rest of us. I’ve got Maquis bandits who became Starfleet, and Starfleet officers who are stranded decades from home. How strange is human who used to be Borg?" Kathryn asked as she ran her fingers over the padd in front of her.

Chakotay smiled. "Good point."

"I could come up with many reason not to do this, but they’d all be excuses." Janeway admitted.

"Sounds like you’ve thought this over."

"Not just me," she picked up the padd from her desk and slowly ran her fingers over it. An uncharacteristic smile covered her face. She quickly covered it with her best poker face. "Seven gave me a list of reasons why I shouldn’t date her."

"That surprises me. I’ve noticed her affection for you for some time. Maybe you should give her some time," he offered.

"I don’t think you’re getting the whole picture," Janeway said. She held up the padd. "This has 167 reasons why she shouldn’t date me or questions people might ask… and it also has three responses for each one. Responses that make it very clear that Seven doesn’t agree with any of them."

Chakotay laughed. "Leave it to Seven to use a logical approach."

"Actually, it’s quite charming," Kathryn said with a far away look in her eyes. "She’s developed a great sense of humor."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," Jane accessed the restricted padd and scanned the list. "Here… reason ‘112. Crewmembers will suspect favoritism.’ Her responses,

Chakotay tried to grab the padd from her. "Let me see that," he said, but the captain pulled away.

"Not on your life, Commander." She scanned the list. "This is my personal favorite.

‘Number 142. What would my Mother say?’"

Janeway cleared her throat and eyed Chakotay. "I’ll try to do my best impersonation of my mother. This is what Seven thinks my mother would say,

"Captain," he began, "If you decide not to go out with Seven… would you mind if I asked her out?"

"You’d better be joking," Kathryn said dangerously, but humor colored the tone.

"Yes, I am," he said.

"You think I should pursue this?"

He looked at his friend. He hadn’t seen her this animated in years, actually, ever. "Yes, I do," he said with complete sincerity.

She smiled. "This could get messy."

"I’m sure it will. But honestly, Kathryn, I think when someone comes along who touches your heart, you can’t let them slip away."

"She does touch my heart. I had no idea she could be so playful." Janeway pointed at the padd. "I’m a hopeless romantic… if you breathe a word of this I’ll kill you…"

"You’re secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell anyone you’re a sucker for romance and silly jokes… but, you know you can’t keep a relationship secret for long," he added slowly.

"I know. But it’s not a relationship yet. Let me get used to dating first."

Chakotay stood. "It’s a deal." He nodded toward the door. "I should get back to the bridge. Someone should be flying this ship."

"Thank you… for everything."

He nodded and went back to the bridge. <"It’s a relationship… she’s got it bad.">

B’Elanna Torres eyed the tiny crawl space in front of her and then turned to Seven of Nine.

"Well," Torres said. "It was your upgrade. You crawl in there and fit the conduit."

"My specifications were correct. Your technician failed to follow my instructions. I specifically explained that the conduit was to be reinforced with the junctions from the spare parts to my Borg alcove," Seven said defiantly.

"Starfleet technology not good enough for you?"

Seven allowed a tiny smirk. "Obviously not."

<"I walked right into that one,"> Torres thought. "I’ll tell you what," B’Elanna said. " It’s gonna’ take two people to fix this thing. How about I have Ensign Owens help you?"

Seven ran her eyes up and down the engineer. Torres allowed the inspection, and returned it eye for eye. Finally Seven spoke, "I will assist in the repair… but only if you are the one to help me."

Torres hadn’t expected that. "Seven, this isn’t some plot to get me into that conduit so the ‘Son of K’vok’ can resurface is it?"

The Chief Engineer immediately regretted her comment. She watched as the normally composed Seven of Nine blushed bright red. Torres had only meant it as a stall tactic so she could come up with a reason to make someone else squeeze into the tiny space with the incredibly tall exBorg. She felt a tinge of guilt when she saw Seven’s discomfort. Seven hadn’t been responsible for the emergence of the Klingon personality that appeared several months back, a personality that tried to initiate a sexual encounter with the Chief Engineer, an encounter that Torres had found extremely arousing, though she would take that information to her grave. Seven kept her head up but wouldn’t make eye contact.

"The Son of K’vok will not be returning," Seven said quietly. "I will assist Ensign Owens with the repair." Seven carefully moved past Torres and began to crawl into the conduit.

"Damn," Torres said under her breath. She spun and took Seven by the elbow. "Seven, I was just kidding. I’ll help you with the repairs."

"That is unnecessary, Lieutenant. I am aware that my presence may be unsettling for you. It was… insensitive of me to not realize."

"Seven," Torres said as she spun the blonde to face her. "Lighten up. You do not unsettle me. Let’s get to work."

Seven regarded Torres. "I regret my actions while I was… not myself. I am glad the injury I inflicted did not leave a mark."

"Don’t worry about it. It takes more than a little love bite to slow me down."

Torres squeezed into the crawl space and pushed her toolbox in front of her. Torres remembered the sensation of Seven sinking her teeth into B’Elanna’s cheek. It had startled her, but she admitted to herself that if Seven had chosen to try it somewhere private, not in main engineering, it might have had quite a different outcome. She pushed the thought from her mind.

They reached the blown out conduit after crawling almost twenty-five meters. Torres was relieved to see that the damage happened to coincide with a junction that had much more space than the crawl way. She pulled herself to her knees and moved out of the way so Seven could join her. Seven tried to sit up, but unlike the compact Torres, Seven was too tall to straighten up.

Torres opened her toolbox. "Let’s get this mess outa’ here," Torres said as she started to remove the scorched coupling. Torres fought to get her decoupling ring around the damaged part. Her knuckles slammed into the wall and she jerked back. Seven gently put her hand over Torres’.

"Allow me," Seven said as she reached out her mesh encased left hand, one of the remaining Borg implants, and squeezed the fitting. Her wrist shook slightly as she strained the muscle, then the fitting broke lose and began to turn.

"Damn," Torres said. The strength at the willowy blonde’s disposal still amazed her. Seven of Nine looked more like the stereotypical blonde bombshell than a woman who could bend a duranium hull plate with one hand. "Remind me not to piss you off."

Seven rocked the fitting back and forth to pop to it loose. "I believe that warning should have been issued some time ago," the former Borg said with a smirk.

"Really?" Torres said as she took the damaged fitting. "So I piss you off?"

Seven looked through Torres’ toolbox. "A joke lieutenant. Lighten up," Seven said. She found what she was looking for and used a small laser to clean the end of the conduit.

"I got that, Seven," Torres said. She leaned past Seven and inspected her progress. "How do you plan to connect that Borg fitting?"

"I will weld the coupling into place. The thread sizes on the two pieces are not compatible."

"You’ll need to shorten the coupling by about ten centimeters," Torres said as she held up the Borg coupling and inspected it.

"Nine point five centimeters," Seven corrected.

Torres snorted. "Gee, I guess I’m losing my touch. I was off by point five centimeters."

Seven leaned back against the cramped wall. "Lieutenant Torres, your estimation of the necessary length to remove was quite accurate. You did not even use a measuring device. My ability to recognize precise dimensions is enhanced by my Borg eyepiece."

B’Elanna smiled. "Thanks, Seven."

"I am merely stating a fact. You are extremely competent."

"Two compliments," Torres said. "Okay, what do you want?" the Klingon said with a playful smile.

"My compliments were sincere." Seven said. "But you are correct… I do ‘want’ something…"

Torres eyed the Borg suspiciously.

Seven almost smiled, "Do not worry. I am asking… not the ‘son of K’vok’…"

Torres laughed. "What do you need?"

Seven paused to consider her question, then began, "When Lieutenant Paris began to court you, what was is it you required of him?"

Torres’ eyes widened and she felt her cheeks flush. "And you want to know this because...?"

"I intend to initiate a romantic relationship and I wish to know what will be expected of me," Seven said with her characteristic honesty. "I have researched romance and courtship rituals, but I find the information lacking."

Torres’ curiosity was thoroughly peaked. Suddenly she was thrilled to be in this crowded crawl space. Seven of Nine, the resident cold fish, had the hots for someone. Torres cleared her throat. "Well, Seven, I can’t tell you what your... uh … what this man will expect…" Torres laughed to herself. She knew exactly what this guy expected. She hoped Seven was talking about Harry Kim, at least he was gentleman…

Seven cut her off. "It is not a man."

"Oh," Torres said. Her mind raced. <"Great. Thanks, Seven. Now all those restless nights you gave me after that little love bite are sure to return."> Torres gaze met Seven’s. "So who is it?"

Seven leaned forward, lowering her voice to a whisper despite the fact that no one was remotely close enough to hear them. "Confidentiality is requisite."

"Of course," Torres whispered and wiggled closer.

"I asked Captain Janeway out on a ‘date,’" Seven said proudly.

Torres sat upright and slammed her into the low ceiling. "What? Ouch… Well what did she say?" Torres now had the most succulent piece of gossip on the ship and she couldn’t tell a soul. Spreading rumors about the captain was a sure way to end cleaning the waste reclamation system until they returned to the alpha quadrant.

Seven twisted to one side to get the kink out of her spine. "She refused… but I think she is going to change her mind." The exBorg shifted to remove a spanner she had been sitting on top of.

<"Poor Seven,"> Torres thought. <"She makes a play for the least approachable person on the ship, gets shot down, and now she’s clinging to false hope."> Torres felt sympathy for the young woman. She had no experience and seemed to have bypassed the deep end of the pool and jumped right into a ragging river, a river teeming with piranha. She put her hand on Seven’s shoulder and spoke in her gentlest tone, "The captain can’t get involved with a crewmember. I’m sure there are a lot of people…ah... women, on board who…"

"You believe I am delusional." Seven stated. "The captain did initially say no. But she is reconsidering as we speak. She explained to me that she shouldn’t go out with me, but after that, when she kissed me, she appeared genuinely interested."

"She kissed you?" Torres said. <"I have to tell someone about this . . . Tom . . . I’ll tell Tom . . . No, Tom would tell Harry, and Harry would tell everyone…">

"Yes," Seven said. "What do you think I should do? What did Lieutenant Paris do to get you to fall in love with him?"

B’Elanna Torres suddenly realized that she was the one in way over her head. Seven wasn’t interested in a fling. She wanted to be with the captain, to be in love with the captain. Torres looked into Seven’s eyes. The eyes were not the cold Borg eyes she was used to seeing. Seven’s eyes were gentle, questioning, sincere, and love struck. Suddenly, Torres wanted to be anywhere else on the ship…. Maybe the waste reclamation system needed cleaning…

"Lieutenant Torres?" Seven asked again.

"Seven," Torres said "Why did you ask me about this? I mean, we’re not... most of the time we don’t even li..." she left the sentence unfinished. In truth, she was starting to like Seven.

"You are in a relationship, therefore you have relevant information. You are Klingon, and therefore you have a sense of honor… I can be certain of your discretion. The captain considers you a friend, so you must know what she likes…"

"Okay, I get it. All right. Let’s get the conduit repaired and I’ll try to give you whatever information I can."

"Acceptable," Seven said.

With that, B’Elanna Torres began the strangest conversation of her entire life.

CHAPTER FOUR

Seven of Nine stood at her console in the Astrometrics lab and finished imputing the last of the sensor commands. She had already aligned the aft array and was currently imputing commands so the array would continue scanning twenty-four hours a day. The repairs she had completed with Lieutenant Torres turned out to be more effective than Seven had expected, consequently, the sensors did not require a cooling period every nine hours as she had first surmised. This meant that they would gain an extra two hours for each of the cooling periods that wouldn’t be necessary.

Seven glanced up when she heard the hiss of the doors and smiled when she saw Kathryn Janeway enter. She knew the captain would be pleased with the extra sensor time available. They were in possibly hostile space, and any extra data could be critical.

"Captain," Seven said. "The aft sensors are back on line and functioning beyond expectations."

Janeway smiled. "Glad to hear it. I understand you did the repairs yourself."

"Yes, Lieutenant Torres assisted me."

"Really?" Janeway knew the two were like oil and water. She wouldn’t have wanted to be in the tiny conduit with the two of them for any length of time. "I trust you didn’t come to blows?"

Seven tilted her head to her right and tried to look angry, a futile attempt, considering how much she cared for the woman. "Actually, we worked together surprisingly well."

"I like it when all the children play nice." Janeway said.

"Children?" Seven linked her hands behind her back and looked at the captain for an explanation.

"Figure of speech," Janeway said as she waved her hand in surrender. Janeway moved past Seven and glanced at the console.

"Did your visit have a purpose?" Seven asked.

Janeway turned and faced the intimidating young woman. "Yes… Seven, I looked over the list you gave me."

Seven leaned forward expectantly, "And?"

"It was very sweet," Janeway said. <"Why is this so difficult? You know she’s interested. Just ask her out, Kathryn.">

Seven smiled and her eyes darken to a deep azure. "I am glad it pleased you."

"It did. I’d like to talk to you about it in more detail, but I don’t think this is an appropriate conversation to have while we’re both on duty." Janeway sighed. <"Okay Kathryn. That wasn’t too bad. You can do this.">

"My duty shift ends in exactly one hour seventeen minutes," Seven offered.

"As does mine, but I think you knew that," Kathryn said with a sardonic grin.

Seven lowered her eyes and looked up at Kathryn through her thick sable lashes. "I did. I am always aware of your schedule for the day."

Janeway blushed. "I need to meet with Chakotay in twenty minutes. I’ll be a while. Would you meet me in my quarters at 19:00 hours?" the captain asked. <"No turning back now, Kathryn.">

"In your quarters? Yes, that would be acceptable." Seven felt her heart race.

"Well then," Janeway said. "I should get back to the bridge."

"I will see you at 19:00 hours, Kathryn."

Janeway smiled. "Until then." She walked out the door and into the corridor as quickly as she could. <"That wasn’t so hard. Now I just have to remain calm until I meet with Seven… in my quarters… oh god…">

Kathryn Janeway stood in her bathroom and stared in the mirror. She was still in her uniform and couldn’t decide if she should change. She was expecting Seven of Nine to arrive in ten minutes and she hadn’t even decided what the hell this was. Was she asking Seven over so she could discus the hypothetical concept of the two dating? Was this a date? If they were still trying to decide whether or not to date, wearing her uniform would keep things formal. <"Yeah, right. You were wearing this uniform in the turbolift and that didn’t stop you from practically taking Seven right there between decks ten and eleven."> So that meant this was a date. Janeway decided a change of clothes was definitely in order. If she was going to date one of her officers, she’d need to keep the uniform out of the equation.

Kathryn went to her closet and quickly decided on an emerald green outfit. It had a tight fitting pair of leggings and a long sleeved top with a plunging neckline. Kathryn knew that the color went well with the red highlights in her shoulder length auburn hair. She wondered if Seven would like it. She had noticed that Seven seemed to be taking an interest in fashion. Well, not really fashion per say. Seven had recently started wearing a blue and grey outfit that brought out her eyes. For a long time the exBorg seemed content to wear the same silver outfit, then she went through her brown phase. Now she varied her selection. That had to mean something. Janeway sighed. <"When did clothing suddenly become this important?">

Seven stepped out of her alcove and noticed that her most recent headache had indeed subsided. Perhaps the doctor had been correct. Her headache had returned earlier when she was going over the long-range sensor data. It was worse than the others had been. She hadn’t dared mention it to anyone. That would have meant hours in the sickbay as the Doctor’s latest project. After an hour of regenerating, the headache had subsided.

She went her storage compartment and opened it. She looked over her clothing options. There were only five: silver, brown, blue with grey, plum, and her black Velocity outfit. None of these would do. Seven’s detailed discussion with B’Elanna made that clear. B’Elanna said if she went on a date with Kathryn, she should wear something Kathryn had never seen before. Something different than she normally wore. The problem was, she wasn’t quite sure what Kathryn would like. Whatever she decided on, she would have to replicate it.

Kathryn heard her door chime and knew it was Seven. As she crossed to the door, she had a sudden panicked thought. <"What if Seven doesn’t realize this is a date. She might not be prepared."> Kathryn turned and took in the view of the room. <"Oh god, this looks like some bachelor’s love trap."> The lights were down and candles provided the only illumination. She considered calling the lights up, but she didn’t have time to put out the candles. <"Just bite the bullet, Kathryn."> Kathryn opened the door and knew, without a doubt, that Seven understood that this was a date.

"Kathryn, this is for you," Seven’s voice was tight, her throat pinched by her nervousness, but she didn’t think Kathryn noticed. Seven handed her a single long stemmed red rose.

"Thank you," Kathryn stammered. She motioned for Seven to come in. She couldn’t manage to say any more. The sight of Seven gave Janeway an experience she hadn’t had in years. She was speechless.

Seven came in as directed and followed Kathryn to the couch and they sat on either end. "You look beautiful, Kathryn."

"Thank you, and you look lovely. I like your hair like that."

Seven was wearing a midnight blue dress that went down to her calves. It was most similar to a sundress. The material was light and didn’t cling to her the way her normal outfits did. The dress wasn’t what had taken the captain off guard. Seven’s hair was down, bouncing across her shoulders and it was all Kathryn could do to not bury her face in it.

"Thank you," Seven looked away.

Janeway put the rose on the coffee table and turned toward her young companion. "I mean that, Seven."

Seven looked at Kathryn. "I do not understand why I am feeling… apprehension…"

Janeway smiled. "You’re nervous, Seven."

"Is this normal?"

"Yes," Kathryn said as she edged closer. "It is."

"Are you nervous?" Seven asked, staring intently at Kathryn.

"Uh… Well, yes."

"I see," the young Borg said, though she really didn’t quite understand the dynamic. She had been alone with Kathryn on many occasions. Yet this felt different.

Janeway eyed her Astrometrics officer like she was seeing her for the first time. The elegant blonde was so beautiful it made the captain’s chest tremble. It also stirred an ache in a decidedly lower location. She didn’t think she should focus on that at the moment.

"Seven," Janeway asked. "Are you hungry?"

Seven smiled. "Are we having dinner?" She slowly looked around the room. She noted the candles and lowered illumination and realized that Kathryn had gone to considerable effort to make the evening romantic. That thought pleased her.

"Well," Janeway said. "I did replicate a little something." Janeway stood and extended her hand to Seven. The Borg accepted it and allowed the captain to help her up and they went to the table. Seven sat and Kathryn went to a cabinet and retrieved a vase for the rose, which she put on the table, then Kathryn brought over two plates and Seven smiled broadly.

"You made fettuccine." Seven gave the captain one of her rare smiles. "You remembered."

"Well, it was only last night, Seven. I must say I was surprised that you enjoyed it so much." Janeway had ordered it for Seven the night before when they had dinner in the mess hall. The captain had enjoyed Seven’s childlike delight as she ate the stringy pasta.

"It means a great deal to me that you chose it," Seven said. She tilted her head to one side and took in the site of Kathryn. Seven decided she liked the way the green dress looked, especially where Kathryn’s hair brushed across it. Seven realized she was staring, so she decided she should make ‘small talk.’ "Kathryn, how did your meeting with Commander Chakotay go?"

The captain smiled. "Actually, you were the topic of conversation."

"Indeed?"

"Yes," Kathryn said. "I spent several hours today going over Starfleet regulations concerning the captain dating a crewmember. I wanted to clarify a few things with my Second in Command."

Seven felt oddly warmed by the idea of Kathryn expending precious energy researching something so she could date her. She was also quite curious as to what the captain’s research had uncovered. "What did you find?"

Janeway picked up her glass and toyed with the rim as she spoke. "Well, Starfleet has strict regulations forbidding the captain having interactions with noncommissioned officers, but that doesn’t really fit in your case. You’re not in Starfleet."

Seven folded her arms across her chest triumphantly. "That was the very first point I made in my list."

Kathryn cleared her throat to stifle a laugh. "Yes, it was. Chakotay and I decided that the closest title we could come up for you is ‘civilian contractor.’ And, while there is protocol that suggests having romantic interaction with a civilian contractor is less than desirable, there is no regulation forbidding it."

Seven raised an eyebrow sharply to her hairline. "Do you find me less than desirable?"

Kathryn couldn’t hide the wicked grin that covered her face. "No. I find you very desirable."

"Good," Seven said. "Kathryn, should we conceal our relationship?"

The captain almost panicked at the word relationship, but, she kept her composure and the terror never reached her face. "That’s not really who I am, Seven. I will not treat you like some dirty little secret. Granted, I don’t want the details of our...situation... broadcast over the com system, but I won’t hide. Besides, this is just too juicy to stay quiet long," Kathryn added with a sigh.

"Juicy?"

"Interesting," Kathryn explained. "The captain having a romance with the most beautiful woman on board is going to turn a few heads... and, you are the head of Astrometrics, so that makes it even more interesting."

Seven felt her cheeks getting very warm as she blushed to the roots of her hair. She looked over at the captain feeling almost ...shy. <"Borg drones do not experience shyness,"> she said to herself. She cleared her throat, which felt thick. "You think I am the most beautiful woman on board?"

Now Kathryn felt her face growing warm. She looked down at her plate, then back at the stunning blonde across the table. "Yes, I do," Kathryn finally admitted. <"Stupid. Stupid..."> Janeway chastised herself. <"You sound like a lovesick teenager,"> that thought almost made the captain flinch.

Seven smiled brightly, then she looked down at her own plate. "Kathryn," she said without looking up.

"Yes?"

"I am glad you find me attractive. I was concerned you would be unsettled by my..." Seven found it difficult to continue.

Kathryn leaned over and took Seven’s hand, the fully human one. "What? Unsettled by what?"

Seven looked up at the captain’s hand holding hers, and then the former drone extended her left hand. "By this. My Borgness."

Kathryn gently laid Seven’s right hand onto the table and picked up her left. The captain leaned over and kissed the mesh encased hand. "I see your implants every day. They are a part of you, and I still think you’re beautiful."

Seven looked into Kathryn’s sultry eyes, but the exdrone’s voice was drenched with sadness. "The other implants are much more... intrusive. And... you have not seen them from the beginning as you have with the ones that show."

Kathryn squeezed Seven’s hand. "We’ll manage. Even if I am a little... unsettled... at first,"

Kathryn had to be honest with herself and Seven. The site of Seven’s Borg implants had initially given her a serious case of the ‘creeps.’ She would probably have to adjust to seeing the ‘more intrusive’ Borg technology, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t love to see a lot more of Seven’s body out of her clothing. Kathryn reined in her growing lust. "Seven, you are still the same person. I’ll get used to it."

"I hope so," Seven said. She was glad that Kathryn was willing to ‘try,’ but she was deeply concerned that the captain would be unable to ‘get used to’ her larger implants. Human’s had a deep seeded phobia concerning Borgs. Seven secretly feared that the moment Kathryn saw her waist enveloped by Borg technology she would end the relationship, unable to handle the revulsion it would inspire.

"Don’t worry. We’ll manage," Kathryn said.

"We will adapt?" Seven asked.

"Very funny," Kathryn said. As she pulled her hand back so she could finish her meal. "You must have been the hit of the Borg comedy circuit."

Seven gave Kathryn a deadpan stare. "The Borg have no circuitry allocated for comedy."

Kathryn groaned and took a bite of her pasta.

Janeway sighed and stared across the table at the woman who seemed to Shanghai little pieces of her heart every time she saw her. She watched as Seven nimbly attack her meal. She would capture the pasta string and then carefully coil it like she was taming an anaconda around her fork, then she would claim the prize with her sensual lips and lick the remaining sauce from those kissable lips. Kathryn would have gladly volunteered to help if she thought the offer would have been accepted. This woman definitely had the captain’s complete attention. Everyone on the ship saw Seven almost as an automaton, cold, unfeeling, and distant. Janeway looked at her and saw the childlike wonder and passion just beneath the cool exterior. They ate the meal at a leisurely pace and talked about Seven’s current project, and the captain’s childhood, and everything in between. Kathryn was amazed at how easy it was to open up to the young woman. After the meal they went back to the couch and continued their evening. Finally, a comfortable silenced developed.

Janeway moved closer to Seven until their thighs were gently touching. "Seven," she said, "I want to tell you, I’m having a wonderful time."

Seven turned to the Captain and her hand casually drifted to Kathryn’s leg. "I am having a wonderful time as well." Seven wanted to kiss Kathryn, but B’Elanna had specifically said she should let Kathryn ‘make the first move.’ She didn’t have to wait long.

Kathryn leaned forward and took Seven’s face in her hands. "I’m glad you were so unrelenting." Kathryn gently kissed each side of Seven’s mouth, feather light kisses that were quick and fleeting that didn’t leave Seven time to capture the captain’s lips. Seven reached up and caught Kathryn’s face with her hands and pulled slightly back. She paused to look into Kathryn’s eyes and then covered the older woman’s mouth with hers. Kathryn’s response was immediate, with none of the resistance she had imposed on herself the previous night. She pulled Seven toward her and her tongue sought Seven’s out with a fevered intensity. Seven shifted her body and turned until she was kneeling on the couch beside the captain. Janeway moved her hands down Seven’s back and drew the young woman across her lap. She sighed at the feeling of Seven’s weight across her body. She ran her hands through Seven’s hair and bit the younger woman’s lip, caressing Seven’s face between kisses.

Janeway pulled back from the softest lips she had ever known. Before she could move toward her com badge on the coffee table, Seven pulled her back and stole another kiss. Kathryn groaned and snagged the com badge and opened the channel.

"Janeway…" she said as she tried futilely to slow her breathing.

Janeway eased Seven off her lap and stood. "Any causalities?"

"Engine status?" Janeway said.

"Do it," Janeway ordered. "Inform Lieutenant Torres that I’ll meet her in engineering… Janeway out." The captain turned to Seven. "I’m sorry. We’re gonna’ have to call it a night."

Seven stood and pulled Janeway to her and gently brushed her lips across Kathryn’s. Kathryn drew in a ragged breath and then kissed Seven deeply.

Janeway pulled back and caught her breath. "Very, very, sorry…" she said with a smirk.

Seven stepped back and straightened her stance, linking her hands behind her back. She smiled briefly before speaking. "It is all right. I understand. This is probably for the best."

"Oh?" Janeway asked.

"Yes," Seven said as she moved toward the door. "I was becoming very distracted. And B’Elanna has informed me that if I were to ‘put out’ before the fifth date that you would not respect me."

Janeway stopped and stared at Seven as she walked away. She had no answer for the comment. <"Well, maybe that means she was thinking about putting out tonight,"> Janeway thought. She looked at Seven. She was back in her typical on duty stance, back straight, jaw proudly held out, eyeing the captain eagerly awaiting her orders. She looked out of synch, standing there in a sundress at full military attention.

Finally Janeway found her voice. "Seven, I’m not sure what you talked to Lieutenant Torres about, but I do not expect you to ‘put out.’"

"Ever?" Seven asked. Her eyes widened as she looked at Janeway with a look of utter disappointment.

"If we do decide to become intimate," Janeway said, "I prefer the term ‘make love.’ I find the term ‘put out’ rather offensive."

"Then you are sexually attracted to me?" Seven asked. Her eyes panned up and down Janeway’s body as she waited for her answer.

Janeway crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. "I am most definitely sexually attracted to you. Now, I have to get changed and go down to Engineering."

"Understood," Seven said. They walked to the door and then Janeway took Seven’s hand and raised it to her lips and kissed each of the knuckles. She held it there for a moment and then pulled Seven to her.

"I hope we can do this again," Kathryn said quietly.

"I would like that," Seven said, "I will leave now," but she stayed where she was and then picked Janeway up in her arms and kissed her deeply. She pivoted and pressed the captain against the wall and her tongue danced with Kathryn’s. All too quickly she pulled back and lowered a breathless Janeway to the ground. "Good night, Kathryn."

"Good night, Seven." Janeway watched the exBorg disappear out the door and then fell back against the wall. <"Put out? Five dates? I’m gonna’ kill B’Elanna.">

CHAPTER FIVE

Seven of Nine entered the holodeck and smiled when she saw that Kathryn had already arrived. Kathryn was sitting on a long bench that ran the length of one wall. The captain looked up from her exercise bag and tried not to stare at the Seven. The Borg’s skintight black Velocity outfit showed every curve on the six foot blonde’s body. Janeway took a deep breath and released it slowly as Seven approached

"Kathryn," Seven said. "I am pleased to see that you could arrive early. It will be to our advantage to practice before Mr. Paris and B’Elanna arrive."

<"All business?"> Kathryn thought. She handed Seven her Velocity phaser. "I’m sure we’ll work well together."

"I have no doubt," Seven said. "Kathryn, before the others arrive, may I ask you something?"

"Certainly," Janeway said as she programmed the Velocity field into a padd she had picked up off the bench. The yellow and black grids used for regular Velocity shifted as part of the floor lifted up at forty-five degree angle; the angled floor was only one of the differences between regular and doubles.

Seven set her phaser on the bench. "You and I are both off duty tomorrow. I was wondering, would you like to join me for lunch?" Seven smiled at the captain. She was pleased that her voice had not betrayed her overwhelming nervousness.

"I’d like that. What did you have in mind?" Kathryn was eager to find out what a Borg would do on a date. She laid the padd back on the bench and regarded the woman in front of her.

"I have reserved Holodeck Two from 11:00 hours through 14:00 hours." Seven replied mysteriously.

"Three hours?" Kathryn asked. She stood and moved toward the exBorg. "I’m intrigued. What program are you going to run?"

Seven tilted her head to one side. The effect was quite seductive. Seven then lower her voice to a smoldering tone Janeway hadn’t heard before. "It is a new program. But I believe you will enjoy it."

"Do I at least get a hint?" Kathryn asked. <"This woman makes me crazy... but in a very good way.">

Seven considered the request. "I created the program myself… after our dinner conversation last night."

"Now I’m really intrigued," Kathryn said. She walked over to Seven and stood as close to Seven as she could without actually touching her. She could feel the heat radiating between them. "Can you at least tell me what to wear?" Kathryn was drawn to the young Borg, despite her own fears and her Starfleet training that was ordering her to back off.

Seven put her hands on Kathryn’s shoulders. "I do not know. You are very intelligent, if I give you too much information, you may figure out my surprise." It seemed the young Borg had picked up something about flirting along the way, which delighted the Starfleet captain.

Janeway pushed herself to the brink of madness and wrapped her hands around Seven’s waist and pressed her body into the lean young woman. "What am I supposed to do . . . show up naked?"

Seven pushed the boundary even farther and slid her hands down to Janeway’s back, noticing how her muscles rippled beneath her fingers. "You are the Captain. I could not object to your choice of attire." Seven smiled and glanced down. She looked up through her dark lashes at the captain. "Perhaps you should model that ‘outfit’ for me, then I could make a sound decision." Seven decided that she was quite good at this ‘flirting’ that B’Elanna had explained to her.

Kathryn choked and restrained her response to a crooked grin. Seven had a natural seductiveness that was not lost on Voyager’s Captain. "What can I do to convince you to get me a hint?" Janeway asked. The Starfleet Captain threw caution aside and leaned forward to kiss Seven’s collarbone through the material of her outfit. Seven shuddered at the captain’s nearness. The uniform was silky soft, and the heat from Kathryn’s lips transferred directly through to Seven’s skin. Apparently the captain was also quite good at this ‘flirting.’

Seven leaned her head to the side as Kathryn kissed up along her throat. Seven sighed and released a tiny moan. She glanced down at the shorter woman. "This is very convincing," Seven said. "Please continue."

"Do I get my hint?" Kathryn asked as she gently bit Seven’s ear.

"Yes… but all I will tell you is that you should wear… blue jeans and a warm top… Now, continue your convincing." Seven said. It occurred to Seven that the five date rule might prove to be exceedingly challenging to execute.

"Jeans? What do you have up your sleeve?" Janeway had come to the same conclusion concerning the five date rule.

"This outfit is too restrictive to allow anything to be concealed." Seven pointed out.

"We really should practice our game," Kathryn said as she ran her tongue around the swooning blonde’s ear.

"I believe I prefer this game," Seven said honestly.

"So do I, but I don’t think I want any of the crew to walk in while we’re playing this particular sport." Janeway said. She pulled away and walked over to activate the game.

"Very well," Seven said. "But I do not find Velocity nearly as stimulating."

Janeway smiled and began going over the previous night’s conversation to figure out what program Seven could come up with that would require blue jeans… and how she was ever going to wait for five dates.

Tom Paris grabbed B’Elanna Torres by the arm and yanked her to a stop in the middle of the corridor. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"I’m telling you. The captain and Seven are going out." B’Elanna said.

"I’m not buyin’ it, B’Elanna," he stated.

"Believe it. Yesterday Seven grilled me for every bit of information I had about ‘dating and courtship rituals.’ Then I had to explain exactly what the expected sexual progression in a relationship was," Torres paused to roll her eyes. "Then I had to give our resident Borg fashion advice and suggest appropriate dating locations."

The easygoing helmsman’s actually giggled, "Fashion? How did you ever survive it?"

B’Elanna swatted him with the back of her hand. "Yeah, well that was a piece of cake. After that, it got a little more personal."

"Really?" Tom looked like he might drool.

B’Elanna waited for a passing crewman to leave before she began. "Little miss prim and proper Borg looks me square in the eyes and informs me that she found the information on ‘recreational coupling’ between women to be lacking. She wanted to know if I had any relevant information."

Tom pressed B’Elanna against the wall and leaned into her. He was getting a very hot picture in his mind about that conversation. "So," he said in a deep murmur, "What did you tell her?"

B’Elanna blushed. "Tom," she looked up and down the corridor to make sure they were still alone. "You know I’ve had women lovers."

"Yeah," he said as he kissed her neck. "You’ve told me. So, what did you tell Seven?"

B’Elanna sighed and covered her face with her hand and shook her head. "Unfortunately, I told her yes."

"And?" Tom prompted.

B’Elanna continued to shake her head and then rolled her eyes. "She got this very intense, rather scientific look on her face, like I was the latest spatial anomaly waiting to be examined, and then..." B’Elanna looked down the corridor again and then turned back to Tom and stared him directly in the eyes. "Then, she tells me that she can imagine what most of the experience would be like, but would I mind explaining what it feels like to be inside another woman." B’Elanna folded arms across her chest.

Tom let his weight fall onto the wall beside B’Elanna. His eyes widened as he considered the erotic quality of the scene he was envisioning. B’Elanna, the sensual Klingon Human hybrid describing an intimate sexual act to the six-foot tall blonde Borg who oozed sex appeal… suddenly he realized his velocity outfit was becoming a bit tight in one specific region. "Stop," he said as he shifted uncomfortably. "As much as I’m dying to know what you told her, I’m having a little problem." He glanced down.

B’Elanna followed his gaze and smiled. "You are such a dirty dog. I’m pourin’ my heart out to you, and you start loading a torpedo for launch."

"It’s not my fault. Help me out here."

"Okay," B’Elanna said as she leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "Do what I always do when I get a little too ‘caught up.’ Close you’re eyes, and picture... Nelix..."

"Eeew," Tom said with eyes closed.

B’Elanna continued, "...Naked... and he’s running... towards you..."

"Okay," Tom said snapping his eyes open. "Problem solved."

"Always works for me," B’Elanna said.

"So," Tom said. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her that was something she’d just have to figure out on her own. Now, let’s get to the holodeck."

Tom started to go off into his own little happy-land picturing Seven of Nine figuring that out her own, then he realized they were also talking about the captain. "B’Elanna, you have to be wrong. The captain would never date a crewmember… and Seven? Come on."

"Really?" B’Elanna said as she crossed her arms in her most stubborn stance. "Is that why last night I had the ‘thrill’ of having the captain put me through a first class interrogation about what I told Seven? The Cardassians could learn a few things from our captain about questioning prisoners."

"You know she’s protective of Seven," Paris tried.

"You weren’t there. She’s got the hots for our little Borg," Torres said.

"B’Elanna," he whispered. "Do you know how much trouble you’ll get into if you get caught spreading a rumor like that? Janeway would never date a member of the crew."

"It’s not a rumor... and, they had a date last night," Torres said smugly. She walked down the corridor toward the holodeck leaving Paris jogging to catch up.

"How do you know?" he asked.

"It sorta’ came out during my conversation with Janeway," she said.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, well, she didn’t appreciate some of the terminology I used with Seven."

"B’Elanna, what else did you tell Seven?" Paris asked.

"Janeway wasn’t too thrilled with my use of the term ‘put out’ when I told Seven the five date rule," Torres said.

Paris smiled. "We didn’t follow that rule."

"Yeah, well, Seven is new to this. She needs to be careful."

"Watch out, B’Elanna… it almost sounds like you’re starting to like Seven," Paris said.

"Well, she’s not the sub-zero prude I thought she was," B’Elanna said as she reached up to the door controls for the holodeck. The doors opened and Torres and Paris walked in. Kathryn was sitting on the bench and Seven was kneeling between her legs. Seven was massaging the captain’s upper thigh, so high on her thigh that her hands were barely visible. Janeway’s head was arched back and her hands were entwined behind Seven’s neck.

"I guess not," Paris said staring openly at the two women.

"Are we early?" B’Elanna said with a grin that showed all of her razor sharp teeth.

Seven shot Torres a glare that almost made the Engineer take a step back. "The captain has injured herself."

"It’s nothing," Janeway said as she tried to casually push Seven out from between her legs.

"What happened?" Paris asked as he crossed to the captain and knelt next to her.

Janeway crossed her arms and let out an embarrassed sigh. "I was on the second level ramp and pulled a muscle. It’s nothing to get excited about."

Paris prodded the injury and Janeway winced. Seven leaned forward protectively.

"You are causing her pain. We should take her to sickbay," Seven said as she yanked Paris out of the way. He landed solidly on his backside.

"Seven," he said from his position on the decking, "I am the Doctor’s assistant."

Before anyone could comment, Seven had the captain in her arms and stood. "She is the captain. The Chief Medical Officer should tend to her," Seven said as she headed toward the door.

"Seven," Janeway said in protest. "Tom is perfectly qualified. Put me down."

Seven eyed the woman in her arms and then slowly returned to the bench and placed her back down. Paris went to the edge of the holodeck and removed an emergency medical kit and took out a scanner and carefully checked Janeway’s leg. Seven stood ominously over him as he examined the captain.

"You tore a ligament in your groin," he finally said. "I can mend it for you here…" he looked at the imposing Borg leaning over him with a menacing stare. "Or Seven can cart you down to sickbay and let the doctor do it."

Janeway put her hand on Paris’ arm. "I’m sure you’ll do fine, Tom."

"At least someone appreciates me," Paris said as he ran the deep tissue regenerator over the injury. "We’ll have to postpone our game. You need to take it easy for the next day or so. Just keep most of your weight off it."

Seven bypassed the captain and addressed Paris directly, "Should I carry her to her quarters?"

Paris’ boyish features lit up and he gave the captain a huge grin. The captain however was not amused, so Paris sighed. "I think she can walk," he finally said.

"Seven," Janeway said. "I’ll be fine. You can walk with me if you like," Kathryn offered. She smiled up at the Borg expectantly and then realized that she had an audience. She quickly regained her captain’s composure and cleared her throat.

"Acceptable," Seven answered. She stepped closer to the captain and brushed her fingers across Janeway’s cheek causing Janeway to shiver. "But if I notice that you are in any distress… I will carry you."

"Well," Torres said. "I guess we’ll see you two another time." She turned to Paris. "Tom, there’s no reason to waste the holodeck. Let’s get in a practice game."

"Okay," he said as he carefully watched Seven. The Borg’s eyes were glued to the captain as she stood. Seven moved next to Janeway and never let her get out of arm’s reach, probably so she could grab her if she looked like she might stumble.

"Thanks again, Tom." Janeway said as she exited. The door closed and Paris spun toward Torres, his eyebrows raised almost to his hairline.

"I told you," B’Elanna gloated.

"Well," Paris said. "I guess the captain’s got a girlfriend."

CHAPTER SIX

Janeway and Seven of Nine arrived at the captain’s quarters. Kathryn had slowed down once to stretch her leg. It had taken all of Janeway’s diplomatic skills to convince Seven to let her walk the rest of the way. Finally, the captain told Seven that if she let her walk back, Kathryn would allow Seven to fix her dinner. That way, Kathryn had argued, Janeway wouldn’t have to walk all the way to the mess hall. … and if it gave Janeway another night with the beautiful Astrometrics officer… well, that was just a bonus, and out in the Delta Quadrant, you had to take your bonus’ whenever they came along.

Kathryn keyed in her code and the door opened. Seven followed her in, carefully observing the weight distribution on her injured leg as Janeway went to the replicator.

"You said I would be making dinner," Seven protested.

"I’m just getting a drink," Kathryn said. "Can I get you something?"

Seven crossed to the captain and swept her up in her arms and took Janeway to the couch and set her down. "I will get your beverage. What is it you require?"

Kathryn eyed the young woman and wondered if she should tell her exactly what it was her captain required. <"Probably not,"> she decided. "Seven, I am not an invalid. But, I’ll have a Saryian brandy, then come sit next to me." She patted the cushion beside her.

Seven raised her eyebrow. "I know you are not an invalid, Kathryn, but I enjoy taking care of you." Seven addressed the replicator, "Saryian brandy…two." Seven took the drinks when they materialized and sat next to Kathryn.

"Thank you," Kathryn said as she took the drink. She sipped it and watched as Seven cautiously tasted hers. "Seven, I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I am the captain."

Seven tasted her brandy. She found it to be palatable and took a small drink. It tingled pleasantly as it went down. She set in on the coffee table and turned to Janeway. "Kathryn, being a Starfleet captain does not make you invincible… it merely compels you to act as if you are."

Kathryn smiled and took another drink of her brandy. Seven had just summed up the position of captain in one sentence. She wasn’t sure she liked being that transparent. "Is that so?" she asked.

"Yes," Seven said.

"So, you like taking care of me, huh?" Kathryn asked. It was easy for Kathryn to just be with the young Borg.

Seven blushed and picked up her brandy. She took a small drink and glanced demurely at her captain. "Yes. I do. It gives me great pleasure."

Kathryn raised her eyebrows and her mind went directly to the gutter. She tried to still the lurid thoughts that were quickening her pulse. "Far be it from me to deny you pleasure." As soon as the words left her mouth she was kicking herself internally. She took a long drink of her brandy.

"Kathryn, are you attempting to entice me with sexual innuendo?" Seven asked as she sipped her brandy.

Janeway choked on her own beverage. "I... well, I, well, damn." the captain suddenly wished she would get an emergency call from someone on board, anyone on board. "I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Annika. I’m sorry."

Seven smiled when Kathryn used her Human designation. "I like it when you call me Annika," she said quietly, then looked into Kathryn’s eyes. "You did not make me uncomfortable, Kathryn. I merely wished to clarify your intention. I do not want to misinterpret your interest in me."

"My interest in you?" Janeway asked hoping to shift the focus of the conversation.

"Yes," the former Borg said. Seven set her glass down on the table next to Kathryn’s and turned to the nervous commanding officer. "I would not want to do anything that was not invited."

"And just what invitation are you referring to?" Kathryn asked breathlessly.

"This one," Seven said. She leaned over and turned Kathryn’s face and kissed her gently. Kathryn inhaled deeply as soon as the former Borg moved away.

"I should have extended that invitation ages ago," the older woman said with a hungry leer.

Seven smiled, "I do not believe you would have been prepared for such an action prior to this occasion."

"Annika," Janeway said with a patient smile. "You’re over analyzing." She reached out and guided Seven back to her lips.

Seven pulled back after several heated moments. "I believe you are correct." Seven moved with the fluid swiftness that stunned Janeway. Suddenly the lanky blonde was draped across Janeway’s lap. She kissed Kathryn with a thorough passion that amazed her. <"And I thought she’d need to adjust to passion,"> Kathryn said to herself.

Seven’s oral skills were making the captain quite dizzy. Kathryn pulled Seven closer until the Borg was straddling her date and she dug her hands into Kathryn’s hair and pulled the more experienced woman into her, absorbing Janeway’s tongue. Kathryn decided she was tired of letting the formidable Borg take the lead and she shifted Seven’s weight and swung the surprised exdrone onto the couch beside her. Seven landed with a muted thump and was immediately pounced on by her captain. Janeway’s leg found its way between Seven’s and the inexperienced young woman had her first taste of scorching desire.

"Oh, Kathryn..." Seven said as Janeway moved away from Seven’s lips to kiss her neck.

"I’m not going anywhere," Kathryn promised. Her voice crackled with intensity and she found her lips on the softest ivory skin she had ever tasted. Before she realized what she was doing, she was sucking mercilessly on Annika’s flesh. Seven’s breathing was coming in gasps. Seven moved Janeway’s mouth back to hers and let her head fall back into the couch pillow. The young Borg was amazed at the magnitude of the sensations flooding her body. She lifted her hips up against the captain’s leg and was stunned at the shock that ricocheted through her nerve endings. Seven yanked the captain down to her and captured Kathryn’s tender neck between her teeth and proceeded to draw the supple flesh into her.

"Oh, god, yes," Kathryn said as she pressed onto her Astrometrics officer. They exchanged the impassioned bites and devoured each other. Kathryn found Seven’s neck to be a delicious appetizer and decide she wanted, no needed, to taste Annika’s breast so she moved her hand down and caressed the firm mound through the fabric of her velocity suit. Seven drew a breath and released a strangled cry. Kathryn smiled, moving her mouth down to replace her hand and even through the fabric, Kathryn felt Annika’s nipple hardened at her touch.

"Umm," Seven managed as she guided Kathryn slightly away from her. She kissed Kathryn quickly and then stilled the captain’s roaming lips with her hand. "Kathryn, I believe if we continue this, we will circumvent our dinner." Seven wanted nothing more than to forego dinner completely and make love to the captain, but this was only her second date with Kathryn. She didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her relationship with Kathryn or lose the captain’s respect.

Kathryn stared down at her flushed companion. Seven’s hair had come lose from its bun and was spread across the pillow beneath her. The last thing on Kathryn Janeway’s mind was eating... Well, eating dinner anyway. Still, Kathryn didn’t want to pressure Seven.

"Okay," Kathryn said. "Perhaps you’re right." Janeway’s words didn’t match her actions. She didn’t move an inch.

"It would be easier to prepare your dinner if you were not pinning me to the couch." Now the Borg’s words didn’t match her actions. She firmly held the captain against her chest and her hands began to caress the woman on top of her. The captain shivered when Seven’s fingers grazed across her spine.

Kathryn smiled. "It would be easier to get up if someone wasn’t pinning me to her chest." In her mind she realized, <"It feels so natural with her. I’ve never been this comfortable with anyone in such a short amount of time. Yes… but we’ve been flirting since the first day we met.">

Seven smiled and for a moment Kathryn thought the Borg was about to kiss her again. Instead, Seven released the captain and eased her away. "This is an intriguing position, but I must get up," Seven said as she shifted under the captain and Kathryn climbed awkwardly off of Seven and sat at the end of the couch. Seven stood and went to the replicator, leaving her hair down, which pleased the captain immensely.

"So?" Kathryn asked once her breathing slowed. "What are we having for dinner?" She stared at Seven’s back as the young woman contemplated the replicator. It was a good thing Seven had put a stop to things, the captain decided. She had let her passion for the young Borg carry her away and had been letting her heart, and a lower, baser part of her anatomy, take the lead with Seven, and that was probably not the best choice the Starfleet captain could make.

"What would you like, Kathryn?"

"I’ve got an idea, Seven." Kathryn said.

"Yes?" Seven turned. She hoped Kathryn’s plan involved another visit to the couch. It seemed that every time she and the captain sat there, they ended up in a very pleasant, passionate embrace. Even if Seven didn’t ‘put out,’ for another three dates, she believed that kissing was allowable.

Kathryn smiled at her date. "I’ll call Nelix and ask him to bring something down for us, a little room service. Would you like that?"

Seven considered that. Many of Nelix’s creations caused her to have involuntary stomach contractions. It was all Seven could do to not regurgitate the offensive nutrition onto her plate. Once, when she had tasted Nelix’s Talaxian gumbo, Harry Kim had been quite concerned. He informed Tom Paris to avoid the meal and told him that, "Seven almost yakked." Seven didn’t quite understand using a verb form of the word that Seven knew meant a large mammal native to the region on Earth known as Tibet. It took a great deal of research on slang to discover that ‘to yak’ was a common or vulgar term referring to the act of vomiting, though Seven had no idea how it related to the large mammal. Perhaps the beasts were prone to regurgitation. <"Curious, my cranial discomfort seems to have returned."> Seven realized, though it was only a minor discomfort when compared to the other ‘headaches’ she had been having over the past several days.

"Seven?" Kathryn asked again.

"Oh," Seven realized her captain was waiting for an answer. "That will be acceptable... but, would you pick something..."

Kathryn smiled. "I’ll be very deliberate in my ordering. I know he gets a little too adventurous with some of his recipes."

Seven pivoted and returned to where Kathryn was sitting. She debated where to sit, and finally decided on the chair off to one end of the couch. B’Elanna had advised Seven to ‘let the captain chase you.’ As of yet, Kathryn hadn’t actually physical pursued the exBorg. Seven wondered if she was missing some part of the interaction. Perhaps she was supposed to attempt to outrun the captain. She would ask B’Elanna for more information the next time she saw the Chief Engineer.

Seven considered the diner choice. "I will trust your judgment," Seven said with a half smile.

Janeway noticed that Seven chose to sit away from her. Her captain’s analytical mind chastised her, <"You were pushing her too fast."> Kathryn’s softer side eyed the former drone siting cross from her. <"I’ll just have to give her some more space.">

"Good, I think we could both use a nice relaxing night," Janeway finally said.

They shared a bland but enjoyable meal of tossed green salad with grilled... bird, at least Kathryn thought it was a bird, she hoped it wasn’t a reptile. Even though it was replicated meat, she didn’t relish the idea eating even a simulated reptile. She led Seven back into the living room and was careful to sit in one of the chairs so that Seven didn’t feel pressured to join her on the couch. Kathryn couldn’t seem to keep her hands off of her beautiful date when they were on the damn couch, so Kathryn avoided it. They talked until late in the evening, and Kathryn was surprised when Seven asked if she wanted to listen to some music. Kathryn didn’t think Seven enjoyed that particular pastime, but she eagerly went into her bedroom to retrieve one of her musical data chips. She looked through her closet and wanted to ask Seven if she was familiar with any of the six operas Kathryn had to choose from.

"Seven?" Kathryn called out.

There was no response.

"Seven?" Kathryn called out again. When she didn’t receive an immediate answer, she went to the other room. She found Seven sitting on the floor holding her hands on either side of her head. Jane ran to her and knelt next to her. "Are you okay? Seven?"

Seven looked up and pried her eyes open. "I am fine. I merely lost my balance."

"Is this another headache?" Kathryn demanded.

"Yes… but they are not usually this severe," Seven answered.

Janeway’s voice cut with the razor edge of command. "Usually? You’ve had others? Why didn’t you tell anyone about this?"

Seven attempted to stand but immediately fell back to the floor. "I require assistance. Would you help me stand?"

Janeway’s voice was cold and harsh. "I should beam you directly to sickbay." She put her arm around Seven and helped her to the couch. She knelt in front of her and took Seven’s face in her hands and looked into her eyes trying to assess her condition. "I’m gonna’ help you up and then we’re going to sickbay… Do you think you’ll be okay while I get my com badge from the other room?"

Seven closed her eyes and put her elbows on her knees. She placed her head carefully on her hands. "I will be fine. Perhaps you should change into your uniform."

Janeway nodded. It was a good idea. She didn’t need the entire crew knowing she was spending her off time with Seven. The captain hurried to change and prayed she didn’t look as scared as she felt when she jogged into the other room. She grabbed her uniform off a chair in the corner of the bedroom and quickly changed. When she came back to the living room, Seven was leaning back on the couch.

"I am feeling better," Seven said. "I believe I will be fine if I return to my alcove and regenerate," the blonde said as she stood unsteadily.

"You’re going to sickbay," Kathryn stated.

"I will comply."

The Borg’s lack of protest intensified Janeway’s concern. Kathryn stuck her com badge onto her chest and went to Seven. She looked at her... girlfriend? ...date?... and then pulled her into a bone-crushing embrace. "Why didn’t you tell me about this?"

"Up until now, I have been able to endure the discomfort," Seven said into Kathryn’s hair.

Janeway pulled back. "You shouldn’t have to endure pain. You have to tell someone when you’re ill."

Seven hugged Kathryn back to her. "I shall."

They quickly headed to sickbay. Once in the turbolift, Janeway eyed her... girlfriend. Seven’s hair was still down on her shoulders and she watched as the exBorg quickly put her hair up in its usual tight bun. Kathryn noticed that Seven was sporting at least four world-class hickeys. In her haste to get Seven to sickbay, she hadn’t even seen them. She moved to the young Borg.

"Seven… I left several marks on your neck…"

"Yes, I believe those are what B’Elanna referred to as ‘hickeys.’ You have several as well," Seven casually replied.

Kathryn sighed and wished she had a dermal regenerator. She smiled at the ludicrous image of the captain bringing her Astrometrics officer to sickbay… both covered with marks of passionate necking on the captain’s couch. Her musing ended abruptly.

"Kathryn..." Seven turned to Janeway, and the then captain watched in horror as the exBorg’s eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed. Janeway caught most of her weight and guided her to the floor.

Janeway slapped her com badge. "Janeway to sickbay, medical emergency. Two to beam directly to sickbay…" She cradled Seven in her arms as they dematerialized and quickly appeared in sickbay. Janeway gathered her bearings as she sparkled back together.

The Doctor rushed over to her. "Captain," he said, "She’s having another headache? Help me get her on that bed." They lifted her to the bio bed.

"You were aware of her ongoing headaches?" Janeway demanded.

"Ongoing? No… look around you. I’ve got four other patients here with the same symptoms. Though none of the others lost consciousness." He grabbed a scanner and ran it over the deathly immobile Seven of Nine. Janeway looked around the room noting her various crewmen on the other bio beds. She turned back to Seven and took the pale blonde’s hand. Janeway watched as the Doctor frowned at his results.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice betraying her. Her calm captain’s demeanor was gone.

"This doesn’t make sense. There isn’t any physical cause for any of these headaches," he said.

Janeway instantly remembered that she had other crewmembers in sickbay. She glanced around at them but her heart was anchored to the limp hand she clutched in her own. She felt her Starfleet training kicking in as she began to slowly untangle from Seven’s hand. She watched her digits uncurl and felt her heart tearing into tiny pieces, but she had a ship to take care of. She couldn’t stay at Seven’s side while other members of her crew needed her too. Seven’s hand squeezed hers and Kathryn turned her full attention back to her beloved Borg.

"Seven…" Kathryn said with a relieved smile.

"I am in sickbay," Seven noted.

"Well," the Doctor said, "Her eyes are working. I need you to lie back and remain perfectly still while I get my readings… and no talking."

"Hold still, Annika. Let the Doctor take care of you," Kathryn said with a gentleness that made the hologram turn away, feeling like an intruder.

The doors hissed open and Tom Paris came in helping Lieutenant Carver. She was leaning against him and he quickly lifted her to the only remaining bio bed.

"Another headache," Paris said.

Janeway took the Doctor’s arm. "What’s going on here? Since when are headaches disabling?"

The Doctor regarded the captain. "I honestly don’t know what’s going on. The only correlation I’ve found is that all of the effected crewmen are at least partially telepathic. Ensign Kai is one quarter Betazoid, Vorik is Vulcan, we’ve got two partial Vulcans and Lieutenant Carver there is Denbari."

Janeway nodded toward Seven. "She’s not a telepath."

The Doctor gave the captain a disgusted glare. "I am aware that Seven is Human. Perhaps her link to the Collective gives her some ability."

The doors hissed open and Tuvok came in. He saw Janeway and went to her, only then seeing Seven. He raised an eyebrow, an emotional display for him. "Captain, I was unaware Seven had been affected."

"It hit tonight," she said. "I’m glad to see you’re considering this a security matter."

"The Doctor alerted the heads of all departments, but… I am here because I am… also in need of medical attention," Tuvok said with a hint of disgust in his voice.

"Why wasn’t I notified?" Janeway asked.

"Commander Chakotay hadn’t deemed this an emergency… and your com badge had the privacy override in effect," Tuvok said.

"Oh," Janeway managed. "Uh… I was busy."

The Doctor decided to join the conversation. "Yes, well, from the looks of the matching hickeys… I’d guess Seven was busy too."

Janeway’s glare probably would have made a non-hologram wet his pants. The Doctor merely decided he should examine the aforementioned young Borg. He went over and began checking her readings. Tuvok let the comment go as if he hadn’t heard it, but he casually confirmed that, yes, Seven and the captain did indeed have matching hickeys.

Janeway turned to Tuvok. "We should get you a be