"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."
"There is none," Seven replied, waiting for the EMH to gain his bearings. "I wish to speak with you."
"Ah, Seven! Of course, how can I help?" He gave his best dazzling smile, clearly happy to see her.
Her back tightened and jaw clenched. She was suddenly having doubts that talking to the doctor was actually a good idea. "I wanted to discuss an observation members of the crew have had regarding me and another person on board."
He was intrigued. Leaning against a biobed, he motioned welcomingly with his hand. "Alright, what are these observations?"
"I am told that this person spends their free time almost exclusively with me. In addition, I've been told that such behavior was once reserved for a different crewmember but, since my arrival, that has changed significantly. Further," she continued on as if reciting the periodic table, "this person seems to share more of their personal identity with me than they do others, and they initiate activities outside of duty requirements more with me than with others."
He nodded. "And what is your interpretation of these actions?"
"I assumed we had developed a friendship," she replied, a touch of uncertainty lacing her words. "However, the implication of the conversation I've recently had regarding this person leaves me questioning if that is correct."
"I see." Crossing his arms, he gave her a deeply pointed look. "And have you spoken directly to this person regarding these observations?"
"In a way." At his up ticked eyebrow, she elaborated. "When I first heard of these observations, I was angry because I thought I understood them to mean people thought I was unworthy of this person spending time with me, and the time provided to me was out of duty. The individual and I discussed that situation, however, and I was assured the reason for the amount of time spent with me was because the person desired my friendship."
He narrowed his eyes. "Did you believe this person?"
"Yes. I've never had reason to ever doubt them." She shifted uncomfortably, pulling her hands behind her to cover for the movement. "After the person and I spoke, I confronted one of the crewmembers who had been talking about the two of us, and the crewmember explained they didn't think I was unworthy or that the person was spending time with me out of duty but, rather, that it was unusual for the person to do so. After having time to contemplate the conversation, I realize the crewmember was implying there was some other reason than friendship for why this individual gives so willingly of their personal time to me."
He nodded his head in an 'ah-ha' fashion. "And what motive would that be?"
"I don't know." She gave a puzzled look to the oddly crestfallen hologram in front of her. "That is why I'm here speaking with you about it. I would go to the person, but I wanted a better understanding before I spoke with them. I prefer to be prepared."
"Yes, of course you do," he mumbled to himself. Shaking away whatever disappointment was assaulting him, he returned his focus. "Do you have any theories?"
"None that I would deem plausible given the parameters I'm aware of regarding the individual in question." She tilted her head as she continued, processing her thoughts as she spoke. "As I consider the implication of the conversation I had with the crewmember regarding this situation, I don't believe the motivation of the person is nefarious, nor would I believe the person would ever hurt me. There has never been an indication this person is out for any sort of gain by knowing me, though, with the amassed knowledge I have from the Collective, that certainly would be an understandable motivation. However, this person has never shown any want for personal gain of any kind. It is possible there is a romantic reason behind our interactions, but," she narrowed her eyes at his start of surprise, "that is highly unlikely on many fronts. First, their duty would prevent such a relationship from forming, and they are also female. Although I'm fully aware that homosexuality and bisexuality exists, this person has never indicated attraction to another female."
"Are you attracted to other females," the doctor asked and then looked as though he might turn pale at his outburst had he the ability to do so. "I mean, we haven't exactly discussed your dating preferences since that whole… situation with Lt. Chapman and myself." Obviously flustered, he nonetheless moved on. "Had I been aware at the time that you are also attracted to women…"
"I generally am not," she cut in, already tired of the direction the conversation was taking. Her intention was not to discuss her sexual identity. Her intention was to discuss why Captain Janeway acted so differently with her than others. "Although," she added hesitantly, "the longer I remain an individual, the more I find that possibility not out of the range of reasoning," she gave him a hard look, "someday. As we've already discussed, I still don't feel there is anyone compatible for me to date on board."
"No one at all?" He shook his head. "Are you certain, Seven?"
"Yes. Either by duty, design, or degree, there are no members of the crew I could date even if I desired such a thing."
He took a small step forward to accent the verbal push he was making. "What if duty were not a factor?"
"It is a factor, doctor. I fail to see how discussing hypotheticals of unattainable situations is productive, nor do I see how this conversation is assisting with my original query."
He withdrew, holding a hand up in feign defeat. "Alright." He began to pace slightly. "Is this individual human?"
She raised her chin in an almost defiant manner. "Yes."
He nodded as if he already knew that answer. "Humans are an interesting species, Seven. When they want something they can't have or want to do something they know they shouldn't, they're often drawn to that thing. I've studied this phenomenon both in the actions of the crew here and in historical records. I believe it's their innate curiosity and their drive to conquer their fears that pushes them toward such things."
She raised her eyebrows, tilting her head in observation. "I would argue those are self-destructive tendencies."
He chuckled. "I wouldn't disagree. Many a human crewmember has come stumbling into my sickbay with some injury or another because they just couldn't resist trying out a certain holodeck program without the safety protocols on or they ventured too far out during an away team mission or," he gave a nonchalant shrug, "they were in a relationship with someone they shouldn't have been and ended up hungover from contraband alcohol after the breakup."
"Humanity is illogical," she observed with a sigh. "This would be easier if humans were more like Vulcans. Then perhaps I would understand this situation better."
"Don't let Tuvok and Vorik fool you, Seven." The EMH grinned. "Vulcans can be as emotional and illogical as any human. They just hide it better." He leaned forward to comment in a conspiratorial tone. "Vulcans, after all, were explorers long before humans."
She raised an incredulous eyebrow at him. "What are you suggesting this person's motivations are? Do you think there is an underlying desire for a romantic relationship as part of their motivation to seek time with me?"
"I don't know." He straightened and ran a hand over his mouth in thought. "And the only way you will is to talk to them. The worst that can happen is that she confirms what you already think you know, which is she is uninterested in a romantic relationship with you."
"I don't believe that would be the worst case scenario, doctor." Her mouth formed a hard line as she considered the possibilities. "I believe the worst case would be she confirms she does have romantic feelings for me."
He shook his head in confusion. "Why would that be so bad?"
"Because she would never act upon them, and I believe it would destroy the relationship we have, and I can't," her voice waivered, "imagine not at least having her as my friend."
He nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry, Seven. I wish I had some helpful advice on this situation. Unfortunately, not all situations have amicable solutions."
"Yes, so I've learned." Glancing around the room, she took in the clean lines and antiseptic quality of the environment and suddenly felt suffocated by it. "I must go, doctor. Thank you for your time."
"Of course," he called out to her quickly retreating form. "Come back and see me if you…" The doors shut before his offer was out. With a heavy sigh and a shake of his head, he walked to his desk to begin his review of the tests he'd run the day before on Ensign Bronowski. There was obviously nothing left he could do for Seven.
"So, then, I told Harry that, if he insists on attempting to show off his climbing skills in front of a Delaney twin, he could at least do it in front of the right twin." Paris gave the ensign a grin from his station. "Always going after the wrong woman, Harry."
"Tom, do you really have to tell everyone about that?" The younger officer fidgeted at his station.
"Well, you have to admit it's pretty funny," Chakotay replied with a grin. "Besides, we've all been there. You try to impress a girl and end up flat on your ass in the process."
"Speak for yourself, Commander," Tuvok cut in. "I have never done any such thing. Further, I fail to see how this conversation is relevant to our duties on the bridge."
"Come on, Tuvok, when are you ever going to lighten up?" Tom pointed to the view screen with his free hand. "There's nothing going on out there, the captain is in her ready room probably drinking coffee and reading a Bronte novel, and, for a change, we don't have some alien of the week, or worse the Borg, breathing down our throats. We should be able to joke around just a little bit every now and again."
"Besides," Chakotay added with a grin, "it's not every day you get to hear about Ensign Kim getting stuck hanging upside down from the cargo bay scaffolding."
"I wasn't stuck," Harry strongly protested. "I was momentarily detained."
Tom snorted. "If your pants leg hadn't ripped, you'd still be stuck up there, and Seven would've had a new thing to stare at when she was having problems regenerating."
"Although the view would no doubt be humorous, I would eventually be annoyed at the distraction and pull him down myself," Seven called out as she exited the turbolift.
"That's too bad," Tom said in mock mourning. "You could've had a really interesting installation piece. We could've called it 'Harry Kim's World."
"Sometimes I really hate you, Tom," Kim grumbled.
"Nah, you don't," the pilot shot back with a chuckle.
"Seven, what brings you to the bridge today?" Chakotay pulled himself away from the antics to focus on her, giving his best welcoming smile. "The captain is in her ready room."
"I don't wish to speak to the captain just now," she responded hesitantly and noted in her peripheral a few surprised looks. "I was wondering if you had some time after you duty shift to discuss something with me. I am," she could feel her face twitch in disgust at herself for asking this man who had once been such a strong advocate of taking her life for his help, "in need of your counsel."
The hidden looks of surprise became obvious looks of disbelief, the biggest of which resided on the face of the commander. "I think I have some time this afternoon. Where would you like to meet?"
"Your office." Her jaw flexed as she added through gritted teeth, "Please?"
He nodded. "Sure. I'll see you there after my shift."
She gave a curt nod and turned on her heels to return to the tubrolift, keenly aware that all eyes were on her. As the lift doors closed, Chakotay turned to look at Tuvok who returned his look of confusion with the same coolness he always displayed. The commander nodded in the direction of the lift, "Any idea what that was all about?"
"None," the Vulcan replied.
"Okay," Chakotay said through a sigh. "Well, this afternoon ought to be interesting."
"I'd like to be a fly on that wall," Tom said a little too loudly.
The first officer turned his attention to the pilot. "Why is that, Tom?"
Paris hung his head in defeat. He should have kept his mouth shut. Instead, he turned to look at the other man. "Well, B'elanna told me at lunch today that Seven confronted her about a conversation she and Drayer were having in a Jeffries tube a few days ago. Apparently," he could feel the hairs rising on the back of his neck. If Captain Janeway walked out in the middle of this story, they were all toast, "she and Drayer were talking about the… uh …extra amount of time the captain seems to spend with Seven."
Chakotay fell back into his chair and groaned. "That's just great."
"It could be worse," Tom offered with a look of pity before shaking his head sadly. "No, I'm lying. I can't really think of how that could get worse."
"Oh, I could," the commander replied with a wince. "I could think of about a hundred different ways this could end badly." He wiped his hand over his face as he considered his options. "Tuvok, what do you think?"
"I do not." The security officer continued to watch his displays. "Whatever may or may not be occurring between the captain and a member of her crew is none of my concern unless it directly or overtly indirectly affects the operations and security of the ship. I have complete confidence in the captain's ability to maintain a professional command."
"Right," Chakotay mumbled more to himself than as a reply, "of course you don't." Wiping a hand across his forehead, he stood up and turned to the ready room before seeming to think better of it and turning to the lift. "I need to take care of a few things before I talk to Seven this afternoon. Tuvok, you have the bridge."
A/N I'm SO glad there are few people reading this! Thank you for the reviews. (To continue with my review whore ways...) I hope you keep 'em coming!
