A/n: I'm sorry for my lack of updates this week, I've been laid low by a sinus infection and the accompanying antibiotics. I have been working slowly on this though, my Valentine's Day fic. I started it early because its not a one-shot, probably a two shot if I manage to keep the chapters this long or a three chapter fic if subsequent chapters are shorter. The M rating isn't for this chapter (this one would could b think!) but for planned later chapters! :) Enjoy and please review! :)

"If you would unlock the door for us please Ms Hansen?" Mr Gregory Platt, senior partner in the law firm Platt, Matheson and Baker, instructed politely. He was seemingly unaware, or choosing to discreetly ignore, the discomfort evident on the faces of the two women in front of him as they stood at the front door of his late clients' main residence on Earth.

Seven of Nine, the younger of the two women, was however painfully aware of her aunt's unease. She'd been watching Irene out of the corner of her eye since before they'd entered the high-rise block, which was still impressively sleek thirty years after being built, and even now as the anticipation of this ordeal neared its end, Irene toyed apprehensively with the PADD she held, every so often passing it from hand to hand. When Platt spoke however, she stilled, her face eerily calm. "Of course." She answered crisply, glancing down briefly at the PADD before nimbly dialling the access code. As the doors slid smoothly open, Seven suspected that Irene hadn't needed to refer to the PADD, she'd already confided to her that she came to check on the place two or three times a year. Although it was only a month since she'd met her aunt in person for the first time since her assimilation, the day Voyager had landed back on Earth in fact, Seven knew her aunt had as sharp a memory now that she was approaching seventy as she'd ever had. She probably just didn't want to give this lawyer the impression that she'd been brooding over the loss to excess, but as this thought about her aunt occurred to her Seven conceded that it was more applicable to herself. "Annika, dear." Irene's gentle hand on her elbow pulled her sharply out of her reverie, "Come in."

Seven nodded a little too quickly, inclining her head downwards to avoid the lawyer's lofty gaze as she hurriedly followed her aunt's lead into the apartment. She felt the irrational urge to take a deep breath but found herself exhaling in relief instead as she looked around the space. It was just an ordinary, vacant apartment. Well, perhaps 'ordinary' was an inaccurate description, it was significantly bigger than the one Chakotay was renting, by several hundred metres or more, and the open plan living area in which the three of them now stood was impressive despite its sparsely furnished state. The kitchen was a graceful arc of curved burgundy units and modern appliances, smart by anyone's standards, while the sitting area was set down two small steps to take full advantage of the expansive window, which offered a panoramic view of San Francisco's skyline. Platt wasn't taken in by the view however, instead studying the condition of the apartment as a whole, constantly making notes on the large PADD he had resting on the crook of his elbow. "I believe that you've been renting this place out since your brother and his wife left Ms Hansen?" he asked in a pedantic tone.

"That's right." Irene confirmed, "Magnus and Erin gave me power of attorney over their affairs when they left to ensure that everything would be taken care of until they..." She caught herself abruptly, rubbing a strained hand over her brow as she glanced momentarily at her niece, whose only reaction was a slight tensing of her jaw.

Platt eyed her warily, "As I'm sure you're aware, that arrangement is now null and void, with the incumbent responsibilities transferred on to the two Dr Hansens' designated heir." He paused, turning his insipid but careful gaze onto Seven, "That is if you still wish to proceed with the process to make your parents legally dead…"

Seven couldn't quite stop a frustrated, tired sigh from rattling her chest as she answered, lips tightly pressed together, "My separation from the Collective as a living individual was a very rare anomaly, it is highly likely that they will die as drones. If that situation ever changes I'm certain they will attend to the correcting legal paperwork themselves." She informed him tersely.

Platt cleared his throat, visibly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I should really know better after thirty three years as a probate lawyer, but the system of inheritance doesn't have any clauses in it regarding assimilation. Your situation is even more unique in that you've…recovered from that yourself."

Seven winced at his choice of words, that she had 'recovered' wouldn't be how she would describe her often torturous transition to individuality on board Voyager. She merely had to look at her own reflection, or analyse awkward social exchanges exactly like this one, to know that she'd never be able to revert to, or more accurately restart, the life of the six year old Annika Hansen. Her memory of her existence as a drone wouldn't fade like a defeated illness. She smoothed her face skilfully back to her customary mask, determined to keep her emotions reined in. Surprise startled her momentarily as she saw true empathy in the lawyer's quiet, prematurely aged face, and her own expression softened a little in return, her guard falling back momentarily. Perhaps she'd misjudged the man, she knew from her short foray into researching probate law when this issue arose that it was a certified minefield of legal wrangling and emotional strain. This man had probably been trying to make life as easy as possible for them all. Irene had told her as much before the appointment to calm her, but she only believed it now. "I understand." She told him, stiffly but sincerely, "I…apologise for phrasing my point in that manner, I realise that this is a difficult and complex situation for all involved."

Platt gave her a tentative smile, "It is, but you've done well so far, both of you." His eyes shifted to Irene respectfully. "I'll just complete my appraisal of the property and then we're finished for the day."

"Thanks." Irene agreed warmly, waiting until he'd disappeared into another room with his ubiquitous PADD before laying a comforting hand on Seven's arm once again, "Do you want to look around Annika? There's nothing belonging to your parents here anymore, I brought in new furniture for the tenants, but…"

Seven's gaze scanned the room again for an instant. She could recognise little, perhaps vague flickers of the view from the window, but nothing else tugged at her memory. The relief she had felt at that realisation when she'd first entered was still her strongest emotion, but neither could she ignore the heaviness of regret and sadness building in the back of her throat with every further minute she spent here. "I'd rather not Aunt Irene." She admitted eventually after a few long seconds of silence, feeling a layer of shame build up as she met the older woman's gaze, what right did she have to reject her parents? They'd made terrible mistakes, errors she still wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to completely forgive, but she'd never really doubted that they had loved her. The tattered fragments of her childhood that remained at least assured her of that, which was more than some people could say. However her aunt's eyes, uncannily similar to her own, reflected no judgement when she met them, instead concern and affection.

"That's fine." She murmured simply in reply, taking Seven's human hand and giving it a light squeeze. "You've had a lot to cope with Anni, settling here on Earth. I wish I could've dealt with this burden for you…"

Seven shook her head firmly, "No." she answered as she studied her aunt's face. Irene was a reassuringly bright person, but Seven could see the toll the years of suspended grief had taken on her and was suddenly as glad that she could help Irene as she was relieved that she wasn't trying to struggle with this unaided. "Do not feel anxious for me Aunt Irene, it cannot be helped, by either of us." She allowed herself a restrained sigh, "Soon it will be over." She found herself mentally repeating the mantra as Irene replied with a strained smile.

"I'll just go and see if he's nearly finished shall I?" she suggested softly, observant enough to see Seven's gaze flitting around distractedly.

Seven nodded, her attention shifting to the window again as she heard Irene's steps move away, then her hushed conversation with Platt. She doubted either realised how enhanced her hearing was, and thus walked slowly over to the window to go out of earshot, or at least that was the excuse she gave her rational mind. She stood there stock still, her legs brushing against the low set but prominent windowsill. The sun was beginning to break through the famous San Francisco clouds, winning a battle it had been fighting since midday. Something about this scene, the soaring building, the glimpses of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge on the edge of the image, was teasing her memory but she wasn't sure why. A realisation came to her and she slipped silently down onto her knees, the haze around the still vague recollection lifting as she saw the room from this height, a closer approximation to how she'd seen the room as a three year old, before her parents had taken her away on the Raven. Her quilted play mat, pink and yellow squares with red hearts in the centre, had been spread out here. She'd used the wide windowsill as a surface for her toys when Mama or Papa was using the big table. Her red headed ragdoll, Pippi, had had such long legs that the cotton feet had almost brushed the carpet when sitting there. Then there had been her wooden farm animal set, and most often the toy spaceships that Papa had made for her. That was why she'd taken his model of a Borg Cube from his desk that one time; she'd thought Papa would be pleased to see it flying with her spaceships…

The past, for those few lost moments vivid and real, abandoned her abruptly as a warm hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present. She gave a short, startled gasp but relaxed immediately as she recognised the person crouching behind her. "Chakotay…" She breathed.

"Hey." He replied quietly, moving his hand away from its comfortable spot between her shoulder blades so he could curl his whole arm around her slender waist. "Are you okay?"

Seven saw his face, just above her own, reflected in the glass of the window and saw his concern for her etched in every fine little line that furrowed around his soulful dark eyes. For a short, selfish second, she was preoccupied by the thought of how different they appeared, the mutilation of her implants even more stark when given the backdrop of his attractive and untarnished face. The cruel irony that she'd once played with a toy Cube in this very spot hit her with renewed force as she gingerly accepted his offer of comfort and leaned back against his solid torso. He kissed the back of her neck lightly as she did so but she saw the worry flash through his eyes before they were hidden behind her hair and remembered to answer, "I'm fine." She murmured, only realising now how worrying it would be for him to see her kneeling on the floor of her dead parents' former home, staring at nothing. "I am." She assured him with more conviction, offering him a faint but real smile as she placed her hand over the one he had laying over her bellybutton.

His sigh of relief was subtle, but she could feel his warm breath stroking her neck so felt very aware of it. "Good." He said, returning her smile with a stronger one of his own.

Seven suddenly realised that he wasn't meant to be there and stiffened in his arms in self-denial. "Why are you here? You're scheduled to be at a meeting with Starfleet discussing formal commissions for Voyager's Maquis crewmembers…"

Chakotay chuckled at her tone; she knew his schedule better than he did right now, the few weeks since Voyager's return had been very hectic. "Don't worry, I'm not tardy, they finally announced a lunch break so I came over to see how you were doing here."

Seven was touched and found herself blinking rapidly as the tears summoned by her minutes alone in her memories returned. She was finding it more difficult to restrain such outward signs of emotion since having her failsafe removed; thankfully that procedure had been more than worth it. She regained control quickly and said hastily, "Mr Platt has been professional and efficient."

Chakotay paused, leaning forward so that his chin rested on her shoulder, "That's great of course honey, but…" He sighed as he thought of a way to phrase what he knew this ordeal must feel like to Seven, who was already struggling with the culture shock of Earth, but he couldn't think of anything particularly inspiring. "It's still difficult for you."

Seven was somewhat relieved he didn't say that as a question, he knew her well enough to know that she was use such an escape clause, but right now she felt the need to confide, however confused such a confession would be. "Yes, it certainly is." She whispered, exhaling heavily before straightening again, "I am concerned for my Aunt Irene, I know that this procedure is upsetting for her."

Chakotay shifted to return to rubbing soothing circles into her tense back as he sighed sympathetically himself. "It would be for anyone Seven, but she's a strong woman, that's a family trait after all."

Seven gave him a wan but wry smile as reply to that before twisting around to put her lips softly to his, but it was too short a moment as she saw Platt and Irene standing behind them through her half-closed lids.

Chakotay's eyes twinkled at her reassuringly as he caught her faint blush; he always found that pink hue, exotic on her well-known face, prettily charming. After helping her stand, he shook Platt's hand, entirely nonplussed, and smiled warmly at Irene. "I hope you don't mind me joining you for a few minutes…" He began after his introductions to Platt were complete.

Irene cut him off with a determined shake of her head, silver hair gleaming in the sun streaming from the window. "No Chakotay, not at all." She assured him, her regretful mood happily lifting as she saw her niece relaxed in her former First Officer's tender hold.

"I've collected enough information for now anyway." Platt informed them, looking Seven directly in the eye as he set his PADD aside for the moment. "Are you still set on your decision to sell this property?" he asked carefully, "Its value has risen exponentially since your parents bought it, but most people in the city rent, the yields would be very good…"

"No." Seven answered, allowing herself one last sweeping glance around the apartment before her gaze returned to Platt with a tiny shiver. "I still want to sell it…please." She looked to Chakotay for a split second. Perhaps he'd think the decision irrational, and in all ways but one it was. The arrangements for the, now officially former, Voyager crew were in disarray, most people were still living with their families a month later as they tried to decide what to do now, but her situation was more complex. Her alcove had been successfully disengaged from the Cargo Bay, but as yet they hadn't been able to find many buildings capable of handling the power outlay, so for the past few weeks she'd been staying at the Pathfinder Project's offices, a situation she knew Chakotay wasn't happy with. He probably though it was silly for her to sell a property that was now entirely her own and within which she could put in her alcove. However, he confounded her train of thought by giving her hand a supportive squeeze and warm relief filled her, her emotional dislike of this place must have been obvious to this perceptive man.

Platt gave a decisive nod, "I'll put it up immediately then." He told her, making another quick note on his PADD, "I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that the transfer of your parents' patents has been completed, they're in your name and under your control."

Seven suddenly understood the phrase 'a weight off of your shoulders' when she heard those words and for once didn't attempt to hide her relief. "That is good news."

Platt cleared his throat awkwardly, "If I may ask, why exactly did you instruct for the patents to take priority over the rest of the estate? Usually families try to avoid that scientific wrangling for as long as they can…"

Chakotay, seeing the telltale signs of Seven withdrawing into herself, quietly answered for her. "Starfleet has been pressurising Seven to release the rights to her parents' inventions relating to their Borg research."

Irene clamped a hand to her mouth, paling visibly as she stared at Seven in disbelief. "No! Oh Annika, surely they wouldn't…"

"Precisely my reaction." Seven replied tersely, "That is why I must legally have the patents to be able to deny them, but they will persist over time no doubt."

"Don't say that my love." Irene chastened gently, "Hasn't your Admiral Janeway stepped in to make them back off?" she asked tightly.

"She has strongly advised them to 'back off' as you put it Aunt Irene, but she is not the only Admiral in Starfleet…" Seven answered tiredly.

"That particular Admiral will keep telling them though, don't worry." Chakotay commented firmly before addressing the lawyer himself, "Anyway, now that Seven has the patents they can't do anything without her permission, right?"

"Right." Platt confirmed, "There would be absolutely no way." He smiled, it wasn't often he could ease his clients' minds so definitively as a probate lawyer, "Now that we've sorted that out and what's to be done with this property, we only need to deal with the lab in the Dr Hansens' names in Gothenburg. Can you make it over to Sweden next week?"

Seven nodded slowly, while shooting her aunt a quizzical look. "I should be able to."

"Good, call my office and I'll make you an appointment with Larsen, you've met him haven't you? He's our representative in Scandinavia." He waited for Seven's nod before heading for the door, "I'll leave you now then, I have another appointment."

"Thank you for your time." Seven said formally, earning a quick smile from the not so staid after all lawyer as he left.

Irene answered her niece's unspoken question as soon as Platt had gone. "Your parents did their lab work in Gothenburg even while they lived here. It had been specially designed for them with the help of their old colleagues at the University there; Magnus was very particular about things like that so he never thought of having another here instead." She explained, adding nostalgically, "It was when they were working there that you'd come and stay with me in Stockholm."

A tentative smile pulled of remembrance pulled at Seven's lips, "I liked helping you with your strawberry patch…"

Irene laughed, "It was more like helping me to eat my strawberry patch dear."

Chakotay smiled as Seven giggled lightly. He was glad that she'd reconnected with her only close relative, and of course that that particular relative had turned out be such an easy-going, nurturing presence. Kathryn had tried her best, but she was better at the instructing, disciplinary facet of mothering than the simple reassurance Seven needed more than ever now that Voyager was back on Earth. Seven noticed the expression on his face and raised a teasing eyebrow delicately before her face fell, "Don't you have to go back to your meeting with Starfleet Chakotay?"

"Yes, don't let us hold you back." Irene assured him quickly.

Chakotay gave Seven's hand one last squeeze as he smiled at both women. There was an uncanny familial resemblance between them; to look at Irene's youthful face boded well for Seven when she was older. He'd noticed that when she was with her, Seven's controlled voice took on a definite hint of Irene's melodious Swedish accent, which was strong even under the influence of the universal translator, something Chakotay found very endearing. "Don't worry; they're probably past their eternal stalemate without me there." He joked.

"I doubt that." Seven remarked drily, having heard the details of all the previous meetings from him, "Have you actually had any lunch on this break or did you come here instead?" she asked worriedly, just realising how much this detour to support her had derailed his schedule.

"I'll just replicate a sandwich when I get back…" Chakotay began dismissively, half sighing and half chuckling when he read Seven's frown of disapproval, "I'm fine Seven, really." He cupped her face in his hands and tilted it upwards to kiss her, "I'll see you later." He murmured softly, drawing reluctantly back with a nod to Irene as he headed for the door but then paused as he took one last look around the empty apartment, recalling Seven's lost expression when he'd found her, "How about I come with you to Gothenburg next week? I've never been to Sweden."

Seven smiled knowingly at his not so subtle attempt to continue helping her with this situation but was intensely grateful none the less. "I'd like that very much Chakotay."

Chakotay flashed her one last warm grin before he left at a near run to go back to his meeting. Irene was loathe to interrupt the peace that had settled over her niece's face. "He's a good man Annika." She murmured quietly in approval when Seven finally looked back at her.

"Better than either of us realise I suspect." Seven answered dreamily before abruptly leaving her reverie, "Would you like me to walk with you back to the transporter depot?"

"Of course dear." Irene agreed happily.

They took a less travelled route from the apartment back to San Francisco's transporter depot, since Seven's dislike of crowds persisted, but unfortunately she was still confronted with enough to unsettle her. The shops and cafés lining the streets were promoting Valentine's Day to excess, at least in her mind. Heart shaped cupcakes and pink tinted hot chocolate was on offer, stalls overflowed with lollipops and cuddly toys, romantic getaways were pictured on every billboard… The Ferengi may regularly denounce humanity for giving up pure capitalism, but in Seven's mind they could certainly still sell a celebration. Neelix would've been delighted and proud, he'd thrown himself into the sprit last year, stumbling onto his impromptu party in the Mess Hall had contributed to her entering into her holodeck simulations. She shivered slightly, feelings of inadequacy surging through her disconcertingly. She hadn't told the real Chakotay about his being the subject of her holodeck fantasies and she doubted that she ever would, confiding about the failsafe had been testing enough, going further would be embarrassing. She thought she'd made her peace with that decision, but walking through this Valentine world made her uncertain of herself. What did she know about relationships really? For how long would Chakotay be willing to humour her naivety?

Irene had been watching the shadows flickering over her niece for the past several minutes of their silent walk before finally losing patience. Stopping mid-step, she firmly grasped Seven's shoulders as the young woman peered at her in distracted confusion. "Min älskling, are you going to tell me what you're fretting about?" she asked, her voice affectionate but serious.

Seven winced, but quickly fought the idea that she'd been caught out by instead analysing her aunt's word use. The translator built into her implants was more advanced than any known by the Federation, she could hear anything in most languages in its true form and a translation simultaneously, but she didn't need that for Irene, having been raised bilingually by her Swedish father and American mother anyway; the word merely triggered a memory. "Min älskling, Papa called me that…min liten älskling…"

Irene nodded, "Of course Annika, you were the most important person in his life. He'd still call you his liten flicka too no doubt if he were here even if you have grown into a beautiful woman now." Her lips gave a regretful twist as she said this, her eyes misting over, but she wasn't about to let her niece distract her that much. "You haven't answered me Annika, what's bothering you?"

Seven almost retorted with 'nothing' but bit her lip; it felt disrespectful to her aunt. Instead she sighed heavily, taking the cacophony of shops into a sweeping glance as she did so. "I do not believe I possess sufficient experience in romance Aunt Irene." She admitted ruefully.

Irene's brows furrowed, "For Chakotay you mean?" she finished carefully, smiling a little when Seven just bowed her head, "Annika, I think you're getting the wrong impression. No one, no woman and certainly no man, expects their partner to go to the extremes for Valentine's Day that these shops seem to want them to. It's just a mass selling tactic…"

Seven developed a doubtful, skittish look. "I had begun to fear this before Valentine's Day approached Aunt Irene…"

"Annika, you've barely been on Earth for a month and it's been so stressful for both you and Chakotay, and it's a new relationship too, I don't think he'd like you to be worrying…" Irene tried to reason, but saw that her points weren't getting through. "Alright, what have you been doing with him then, since you don't seem to think it's enough?"

Seven swallowed apprehensively, "I spend time at his new accommodation, we…talk, he's very humorous. I make meals for us or we go out to a restaurant. We went to the ball celebrating Voyager's return together, he taught me how to dance in the Cargo Bay, he said the Doctor's previous instructions were too formal…" She trailed off, peering at her aunt for approval, who couldn't hold back her smile, both charmed and amused.

"It sounds like you've been perfectly romantic. Remember that romance is in the eye of the beholder, I don't think many people would be dissatisfied with all that at all. Your Uncle Harold, God rest his soul, was delighted if I cooked for him some days and that we talked everyday! Relationships are more than just romantic gestures Annika, Chakotay strikes me as a man who understands that and you should too."

Seven's posture straightened as she heard the sense in Irene's words but her fears obviously weren't completely abated. "I don't want to disappoint…to fail him Aunt Irene."

Irene touched Seven's face fondly, making her look at her directly. "I don't think you could disappoint him Annika, he loves you." She let her hand drop from her face to squeeze Seven's cybernetic hand, "Keep that in mind min flicka, okay?"

Seven nodded, summoning up a smile to reassure her aunt. "I will." She replied bravely.

A/n: PLEASE REVIEW! :D I hope you want to see what I've got planned for this! For reference, 'min älskling' means 'my darling' in Swedish and 'liten flicka' means 'little girl'. I know foreign phrases like that aren't used much in Trek canon but I really enjoyed my holiday in Stockholm years ago and I'm a language nerd. ;)