Chapter 3 – The Next Day

Chakotay came to Astrometrics a full thirty minutes early the next day.

"You are early," Seven said. Fortunately the daily Astrometrics report was already completed. She picked up the PADD from the corner of the aft station and reached it out to him.

Chakotay accepted the PADD but then immediately placed it off to the side. Instead of any of the usual greetings, he leaning up against the station across from her. "I've got to get ready for the Kadi ambassador's reception and thought I'd stop by early to make sure I had enough time with you."

"Oh?"

"Don't think I've forgotten," he said, leaning back a bit and folded his arms. He seemed amused and pleased with himself.

Today's interaction had taken a curious turn and Seven wasn't exactly sure what he was alluding to. Last night's date had apparently changed the parameters of their relationship. This was uncharted territory for Seven, although she was encouraged by his smile, or perhaps more appropriately, his smirk. Last night Chakotay had asked her to call him by his given name and she had considered the matter carefully. On the surface, it sounded irrelevant, but obviously held some significance to him. "I know we're technically still on duty," she finally said, "and I suppose it's bending the protocols a bit, but would you like for me to call me Chakotay when it's just the two of us?"

Chakotay thought about it for just a moment and nodded. "You did ask me out on a date, after all, and I think I'd like that."

"Very well Chakotay," she responded. "I'm uncertain what I've forgotten that you thought I didn't think you forgot." That was a mouthful. Seven turned her statement over in her mind once more to make sure it made sense.

Chakotay narrowed his eyes. "Your story," he said. "I told you a Coyote story about the nasty Cardassian, and so now it's your turn to tell me a story that you remember from when you were young. I must admit, I've been curious about it all day."

Oh, of course. From their conversation the previous evening. Fortunately she had given that some thought too. Their dinner had been cut short by Mister Neelix's emergency before she had a chance to say anything. "Were you successful in discovering the location of the ambassador?"

"From what we gathered, he was all about the ship. Turns out, he ended up in the holodeck. The Sandrines program was still active. We should have stayed right where we were."

"I must have neglected terminating the program after finishing my meal," Seven replied. "Were you able to eventually finish your meal as well?"

"A disappointing snack in my quarters I'm afraid," Chakotay revealed.

His response hit a chord with Seven. Is that how she felt after ingesting a meal alone in the cargo bay? It was becoming clearer to Seven the benefits of being in the company of others, particularly those whom you were compatible with. Her recent forays into socialization with the crew were proving more and more successful. That reminded her of instances that occurred since the previous evening. "I've had an inordinate amount of attention today due to our date last night," she commented.

"How so?"

"In separate instances here in Astrometrics, in the corridor outside Cargo Bay Two, and in the turbolift when I was leaving the mess hall, Crewman Celes, Crewman Jor and Crewman Henley all engaged me in superfluous conversation with the intent of assessing what transpired last night during our dinner."

"What did you tell them?"

"I provided the requested details and explained we had an enjoyable time."

Chakotay nodded. "That about sums it up."

"I also overheard an interesting conversation between Crewmans Celes and Telfer. They were obviously unaware I could hear them and were engaged in speculation regarding our future relationship and an alleged relationship between you and Captain Janeway."

Chakotay shook his head. "I don't know where these rumors get started," he said exasperated.

"Apparently from the frequency they've observed you and the Captain sharing a meal together in her quarters," Seven responded.

"Tal and Billy should know better," Chakotay replied. He again looked at Seven with narrowed eyes. "But Seven, I do believe you're stalling."

Chakotay's observation wasn't too far from the truth. Seven carefully placed the PADD back down on the aft station and picked up a second PADD and consulted it. There was one more thing she wanted to inquire about. "I was actually conducting research about the story you told me last night and have a few questions first."

Chakotay sighed, but rather than truly being exasperated he appeared to be enjoying himself. "What about?"

"I consulted the ship's database about North American folklore and myths, and in particular, the Trickster Spirit Coyote. I couldn't find a reference to any Coyote story or myth that involved a Cardassian."

He nodded. "I imagine those particular fables were only told on my colony world," he confessed. "There's quite a few of them if you're interested."

"About that," Seven said, softening her voice. At least she hoped it was coming out that way. "It occurs to me that one of my comments last night may have been insensitive given what occurred on your home world. I wish…"

Chakotay interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "I wanted to actually thank you about that."

"Thank me?"

Chakotay paused for a moment. "I haven't thought about my world since we received the Star Fleet data feed and discovered it was destroyed. I've been, avoiding the subject." He looked to the side for a moment, but then turned to face Seven again. "Our conversation last night got me thinking about it again. My family. My people. It's about time I sort through those feelings."

"I would be happy to assist if you think it would help."

"I would like that," Chakotay said, his smile returning. It made Seven more content to see some measure of peace return to his continence and she was happy she suggested it. "Now about your story."

"Just a moment," Seven said, glancing down at the PADD. "I still have some questions to clear up about your narrative. Coyote's friend, this Iktome, appears to be a spider. It seems highly unlikely that a coyote and a spider could be cousins or friends, let alone play games with one another."

Now Chakotay laughed out loud. Seven felt pleased with herself that she was able to elicit such a response. "I guess Iktome is a very big spider," he said. "But don't think you're wiggling out of telling me a story with all these questions. I have plenty of time."

Seven paused, imaging how she might achieve such a feat by twisting and bending. She placed the PADD back down with the first. The rest of her questions could wait. "Very well. In fact, last night before regenerating, I did prepare myself with a story in case you asked. A story from a picture book I vaguely recollected from before my assimilation, possibly even from before my family left Tendara. I consulted the ship's database to familiarize myself again with the images and narrative."

Chakotay stepped closer and again leaned on the console between them. There was eagerness and anticipation in his eyes and Seven hoped she was up to the task. She should have prepared several options, but this was the only one she could clearly remember as being something from when she was a small girl, and that is what Chakotay had requested.

"It is about a caterpillar," Seven began. "A very hungry caterpillar that hatches from an egg one evening. On successive days she starts to eat through various forms of biomatter, although none of it was actually the correct dietary material for a caterpillar. On the sixth day, the caterpillar was still hungry, and so ate through a variety of other foodstuff and confections, but again, the nourishment was more suitable to Homo sapiens than a larvae of a member of the Lepidoptera order. This made the caterpillar ill. On the subsequent day, the caterpillar finally consumed biomatter consistent with her genome, and by this point, had become rather large and at last not hungry anymore. The caterpillar then encased herself into a chrysalis."

At this point Seven paused. "As a young child, I was unfamiliar with the process of metamorphosis, and so what happens next was most extraordinary and my parents had to explain it to me in detail. Perhaps this is why I remember it so clearly after all this time."

"The caterpillar emerges from its chrysalis and has transformed into a beautiful butterfly," Chakotay finished.

Seven nodded. She was surprised to see that Chakotay appeared mesmerized by this short account. "I know it's simple, but you did request a story from my childhood, and this is one I remembered."

Chakotay was looking at her in a way that made her both excited and uncomfortable. A combination of sensations that she was unfamiliar with separately, let alone together. The feeling of being in uncharted territory became even more pronounced. Perhaps she should have consulted with the Doctor and practiced additional social lessons before meeting with Chakotay a second time.

"Seven," he finally said. The way he intoned her name was quite unlike any other instance of someone addressing her. At least that is how she heard it. "Are you planning to attend the Kadi ambassador's reception this evening?"

"I try to avoid such gatherings when I can," Seven confessed.

Chakotay nodded. "I wish I had that option." He continued to turn something over in his head. "Would you care to attend the reception with me?"

That sounded promising. In fact, the Doctor had pressed her to attend earlier in the day, to the point of even suggesting she ask Chakotay out again. He was most adamant about it. This turn of events was even better. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yes. I believe I am."

"Then I accept. What attire would be appropriate? The Doctor has designed several other garments I could choose from if last night's selection was satisfactory."

"It was more than satisfactory. You looked beautiful in that dress last night." Chakotay thought for a moment. "However, the reception is an official function and the officers are expected to be in their formal dress uniforms."

"I am not an officer nor do I possess a formal dress uniform."

Again Chakotay was thinking. She could see it clearly in the way his eyes took on an unfocused look. "I think it's about time you get one. You are a member of this crew, the head of Astrometrics, and you participate in the senior staff meetings. I think it appropriate for you to be representing Voyager in a dress uniform at the ambassador's reception."

"I am not a member of Star Fleet," Seven reminded him.

"Technically, nor am I."

Seven considered his request. "Truth be known, I've often wondered why it is only Mister Neelix and myself who have not been assigned Star Fleet uniforms."

Chakotay shrugged. "I suppose it's because the two of you have no prior connection to Star Fleet."

"There are several former Maquis members with no ties to Star Fleet that nonetheless are expected to wear a uniform," Seven countered.

"I can't argue with that," Chakotay concluded. "And I don't have a good answer. Can you replicate a uniform from the same material as your biosuits?"

"That shouldn't be a problem. What rank insignia should I use?"

Chakotay chuckled. "I'm not sure what the Captain would say if I were to promote you in her absence." He seemed to consider this some more and added, "Perhaps the best option would be the Maquis insignia we use. That's something I can do. I will make you an honorary member of the Maquis."

Seven nodded satisfied. "That would be sufficient. Very well, Chakotay. I will replicate a dress uniform and attend the Kadi ambassador's reception with you this evening."