Title: "Relativity"
Author: Annie.
Rating/Codes: PG, drama/character examination
Background: Season 5. Stardate: 52861.274. Seven is recruited by Captain Braxton of the 29th century timeship Relativity to go back in time and stop an unknown culprit from destroying Voyager.
Summary: During "Relativity" Seven notices the difference in how people react to her without her implants. With her memories of the events intact, how does the experience affect her?
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek or these characters nor do I make money off this. I just borrow them for my own enjoyment.
Warning: Nothing as of yet.
Notes: I'm not sure how far I'm going to carry this or if it will eventually deviate from the series timeline. So far I've tried to keep things within the parameters set out by the show. If there are errors that I've missed (besides my atrocious grammar and utter lack of tech knowledge – I can barely work a cell phone), please let me know.
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The transport of Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine back to their proper times went according to plan. The crew of the USS Relativity breathed a sigh of relief that their mission was finally complete. Lt. Ducane set a course for home, receiving word along the way that he could expect a promotion with his return. The news made him smile briefly, but the real satisfaction came from the correction of the timeline. As far as he was aware, everything and everyone was in their proper place and time. What Lt. Ducane didn't take into account, because he didn't know about it, was the effect of some little observations.
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"Say goodnight, Harry," said Tom with a triumphant smack to the Ping-Pong ball. Harry, of course, missed.
The ensuing gloating of Tom over a scowling B'Elanna and gracious Harry Kim was enough to distract the watching crew from Seven of Nine's reaction. She stiffened as though struck and looked around with a slightly dazed expression. Her disorientation lasted only a second or two before she slipped the Borg mask of stoicism back into place. Her reintegration had been smooth if mentally jarring.
"Come on, B'Elanna, you promised me a drink if I won." Tom, ever the charmer, guided B'Elanna to the mess hall's counter where he provided her, Harry and himself with a glass of synthohol. Seven followed only because Harry gestured for her to precede him and because to ignore this obvious expectation would lead to adverse reactions. She did, however, decline the glass of synthohol Tom offered her.
"Congratulations," said B'Elanna grudgingly. She determinedly ignored Seven's presence though they stood fairly close together. Even Tom's happy, smug face was preferable to acknowledging the ex-Borg. It wasn't so much that Seven had done anything to anger B'Elanna. Despite knowing better, the engineer was certain she'd see arrogance and superiority on the drone's face for her and Tom's victory. It never occurred to Chief Engineer Torres that her attempts of self-preservation were counterproductive.
There was a brief instant when B'Elanna's eyes did move and they fixed for that moment on the implant on Seven's face. Seven was already out of her social element and therefore was more careful in her observations. As a result she noticed the turn of B'Elanna's gaze.
"You and Ensign Kim are formidable opponents," said Seven honestly. The kind intent of her remark was unappreciated by B'Elanna. The bitter purse of her lips was enough to make the men shuffle uncomfortably and Tom guide B'Elanna away. Seven was left to wonder yet again why her manners were considered disagreeable.
"So, Seven," said a chipper Harry, "tomorrow Tom is organizing a hoverball championship if you'd like to join. Maybe with you on my team I can win a game for once."
Seven, still abashed by her failed attempt at socializing, dipped her head in acknowledgement of the invitation, but didn't feel up to it. "I'm sorry, but I must decline. I am in need of a longer regeneration session tomorrow."
"Oh, all right then."
It wasn't a complete lie. She truly did feel drained and had been taking shorter regeneration cycles in order to complete some extra work, but the disappointment in Harry's face still chaffed her conscience a bit. Seven sighed. Fixing a timeline was less problematic than social fluency.