Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager belongs to Paramount, not me, no infringement intended.
Seven jumped and gasped at the voice. I am weak! she spat mentally at herself, hating the vulnerability and fear. She clenched her teeth and pulled herself upright, seeming ready to do battle with her demons. But the trembling wouldn't stop, the shadows seemed to encroach upon her. In a moment her shoulders slumped slightly as she gave in to the emotions. "I cannot be alone," she said aloud in a desperate voice. "Computer, locate EMH."
* * * * *
The Doctor had made the rounds by himself that day to give Seven time to regenerate, visiting the bridge and checking each crew member's vital signs. He had just arrived back in Sickbay when Seven asked the computer for his whereabouts.
So far, four days had gone by uneventfully. The Doctor had caught himself staring wistfully at Seven on a few occasions, but sternly stopped himself and focused instead on the happy facts that they were getting along wonderfully this time around, and the radiation had so far not had a detrimental effect on anything. Not to mention that he was immensely enjoying having Seven's company all to himself.
I'm probably enjoying it too much, he thought grimly.
He took off his mobile emitter and set it on the desk in his office. "This is probably a good time to get back to those experiments I had started," he said to himself as he strolled back to the main Sickbay area. He paused for a moment to contemplate the strange pink sight of the nebula passing the Sickbay windows.
It was then the doors whooshed open and an agitated Seven rushed in. The Doctor turned and saw her looking terrified, angry, and slightly embarrassed at the same time, chest heaving in her plum-colored bodysuit, a strand or two of blonde hair escaping from its upsweep. Had she run all the way to Sickbay?
"Seven! What's the matter?" He strode towards her, grabbing a hypospray on his way.
"I believe it is the radiation. I heard voices. I was...afraid." He noticed she was trembling.
"Are you having hallucinations?"
"No, at least not yet. Only voices."
"Unfortunately, I was expecting this, given what happened last time. I prepared the antidote in advance. It should take care of any voices or hallucinations, at least for while," he said, injecting her neck. "I will need to readminister it periodically until we're through the nebula."
Seven nodded. She tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear, and the Doctor watched her try to regain total control. She was still slightly trembling.
"Seven, would you like to talk about what happened?" he asked, his expression concerned.
"No, I do not. But thank you," she remembered to add.
"Alright." He set the hypospray down. Seven did not make any move to leave. There was an awkward moment; he hesitated, and then asked, "As your doctor, may I suggest another therapy?"
"Of course."
"May I give you a hug?" You idiot, he thought. What are you doing? But he couldn't help it. She looked so afraid, and was fighting it alone. He couldn't just stand there with her in front of him looking miserable. If she wouldn't talk to him, perhaps physical comfort would help. Besides, there was no one around to start any rumors and make the moment something it wasn't.
Seven looked even more uncomfortable, with her eyes turned down from his. "I am not proficient with demonstrations of affection."
The Doctor tried to smile. "It's alright, I understand." Time to change the subject. "Perhaps you'd like to..."
"...But I am willing to try," she interrupted. She looked up and her eyes still had the haunted look.
Surprised, he said, "Of course," and moved to slowly put his arms around her. She was tense, both, he knew, from the former trauma and from the unaccustomed contact. Perhaps I should make it quick, he thought; then, No, she needs this. Neither spoke as he held her and gently massaged her back until her trembling stopped and she began to relax. The Doctor had cause to be surprised again when she put her head on his shoulder. He didn't want to move, for fear the moment would end and she would bolt like a frightened animal. And it felt so right for her to be leaning on him like this, nestled in his arms. You are making this so hard for yourself, he lamented inwardly. It's bad enough when you're not touching her. But if he could comfort her, it was worth it. If Seven of Nine needed anything, it was that. And if he could provide it, he was happy. He would hold her until Voyager reached the other side of the nebula...
Seven lifted her head and began to move away. She looked better, but confused. "Thank you, Doctor," she said softly. "I am feeling much better now."
"Anytime," he said sincerely, missing the contact already. She had quickly reverted back to her normal rod-straight pose, but still made no move to go, and seemed to be searching for something to say. Was she trying to think of a reason to stay? "Um, I have checked the stasis units and the ship's systems, and everything seems to be fine."
"Very good." Seven seemed happy to have a topic of conversation. "Is Mr. Paris behaving himself?" she asked drily.
Her attempts at humor were getting better. "Oh yes, thanks to those restraining devices we put on him. His claustrophobia would reach new heights if he knew we strapped him to his coffin," the Doctor said, smiling gleefully. "No, he shouldn't be a problem, unless he turns out to be stronger than we thought." The Doctor remembered why Seven hadn't been with him checking the stasis units. "Did you finish regenerating?"
"No."
"Well, perhaps you should finish, then. I could meet you later..."
"No," she said quickly, and a bit more forcefully than she had intended. "I prefer to wait."
"I understand," he said. Then, hopefully, "Would you like to spend some time with me on the holodeck? Maybe it would be a good distraction for you. The radiation so far has not affected me, so the holodeck should be usable as well. The ship and crew are doing fine, no reason we shouldn't be able to take a break for a little while."
"Yes," she said, sounding slightly relieved. The Doctor was pleasantly surprised, since Seven generally shunned recreation. "I would like that. Is my attire suitable, or should I change?"
"I think we should dress up, as we did for our last lesson. Often, looking nice on the outside can make one feel better on the inside." He said, then quickly clarified, "But we don't have to wear exactly the same clothes as last time." He was afraid that seeing her in the same outfit she was wearing when they danced might bring back too many emotions to deal with.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"Why don't you surprise me? I'll wear a dark suit with a blue shirt."
Seven looked uncertain at picking out dressy attire, but replied, "I will try to find something suitable."
"Alright then, it's a date. I'll meet you on the holodeck in...what, half an hour?"
"I can be ready quickly."
"Fifteen minutes?"
"That is acceptable."
"See you there."
To be continued...
