Chapter 4

To: Captain K. Janeway

From: Seven of Nine

Captain, I have four things to tell you:

The questions you just asked, I answered no but I would like to discuss it again when you can see my face while we talk. Janeway smiled and blinked slowly at that.

I know you have to deal with Chakotay's issue tonight, but after hearing what he said about me earlier, I do hope you'll take your time. 'Let him stew' as they say. Janeway actually laughed out loud.

Please come with me to Cargo Bay Two as I do not know how it will be if I walk around the ship alone right now. I think B'Elanna Torres is suspicious and I do not trust her. Janeway frowned at that and spoke, "Yes, Seven, of course, I'll go with you and I'm sorry you have to worry about B'Elanna right now while you're already dealing with this huge issue. I can only hope that I'm able to help you in some way. I'm here for you, Seven, even though I was a jerk this morning." Janeway felt the couch sink in a bit next to her as Seven sat back down.

Lastly, before we go to Cargo Bay Two, will you come to sickbay with me? I have already sent a message to the doctor informing him of your impending arrival. Please do not be upset with me, I am concerned about your injuries and I wish you to be healthy. In addition, I need you to be healthy because I do not trust anyone else to help me discover a solution to this problem.

"Seven," Janeway whispered again, "thank you." Leaning forward, Kathryn put the PADD down on her coffee table then turned in the direction she knew Seven was sitting. The older woman reached out both hands, palms up and quietly questioned, "Seven?" When the younger woman took her hands, Janeway pulled those long, deceptively strong arms around her own waist, "Thank you, Seven of Nine, Annika Hansen. Thank you for trusting me enough to look past this morning," she whispered into Seven's ear, "I can't tell you how much it means to me that you could do that. I think that's your best quality, your ability to forgive people."

After a moment, Janeway felt Seven's hands on her back again, affectionately rubbing up and down her spine staying clear of the inflamed section, "I'm sorry, Seven, if I'm confusing you by being so affectionate. I think I'm just relieved that you're here and that you're with me right now and that you're safe. Is it okay with you?" She felt Seven nod against her cheek. She felt Seven's warm breath on her neck then she felt the taller woman shift nearer and pull her in tightly. She had never felt so close to another human being, never felt so safe or cared for. "Seven, I...I can't explain…this…can we talk about this later? After we go to sickbay and Cargo bay two? Please, Seven," Janeway finished.

Seven nodded again and exhaled slowly, wondering if the captain could feel her heart pounding at all of the new sensations she was feeling. Seven was not surprised by her body's reaction to the closeness she was sharing with the older woman, she had been feeling "off" around her for months and had researched the various afflictions behind the physical reactions she was having. She knew what they meant and was even more secure in the knowledge after her emotional response to the captain's accusations earlier in the day. Seven had not yet decided whether she should share her feelings with Janeway; until she could be confident in their reception, she did not wish to risk embarrassment by revealing them. She was quickly concluding, however, that they would be not only well-received but also returned by Kathryn Janeway based on the very intense intimacy between them that afternoon. Before she released the redhead, Seven spoke again, "I love you, Kathryn Janeway." It will be good practice for later if I say it to her now. She then gently kissed the cheek pressed against her own and leaned back in time to see a tremulous smile grace the features of Kathryn's face.

"Thank you."

As the pair slowly stood, Janeway awkwardly leaned forward and picked her PADD up off the table. Seven could tell the other woman was feeling more and more pain as time passed. They walked toward the door together and were almost out when Janeway spoke, "Seven, what should we do? I doubt we can make it through the corridors holding hands but I'm worried about not knowing if you're there."

Both were silent for a long moment before Seven tenderly squeezed and then slowly released Janeway's hand. The captain let out a quiet sigh at the loss of contact but gasped it quickly back in when she felt Seven step up very close behind her. She could again feel the younger woman's breath on her neck and was completely unable to hide the shiver it caused. "You'll walk behind me?" Janeway asked.

Two quick squeezes, then her hand was held again and she felt Seven next to her.

"You'll walk next to me?"

One squeeze to her hand. Then two more on her shoulder.

"Seven," Janeway said deeply, "just go send me a memo."

A minute later the computer informed Janeway that she had a message waiting for her on her PADD.

To: Captain K. Janeway

From: Seven of Nine

I shall walk next to you and hold your hand unless there is someone else in the hallway, then I shall step behind you and hold your shoulder. That way we will always be in contact.

I wonder, also, Captain, if perhaps you focus more on me you might hear what I am saying or possible sense it. We seem to have a very close connection to one another.

I think, as well, that perhaps your old friend Q might be behind this. Is it not his "style" to do something of this nature to get your attention?

"Seven, you are too right, Q would do something like this but I think he would have already announced himself. Your plan for the corridors seems a good one. Are you sure you don't mind holding my hand? I wouldn't want to put too much pressure on you to be so near to me." Please, don't mind, please, don't mind.

In response and in light of their new closeness, Seven simply put the captain's hand back on her cheek while shaking her head gently. Then she hugged the questioning woman again. Seven smiled, deciding she liked hugging much more while standing than sitting. She began considering hugging while lying down but quickly banished the thought to be looked at more closely later when she could give it the attention she felt it deserved.

"Let's go, Seven," Kathryn said and, once again, put her hand out, palm up, awaiting the other woman's hand in hers.

"Computer, locate Captain Janeway," the suspended officer commanded.

"Unauthorized," was the unfeeling response.

"Computer, locate Captain Janeway, Command code Chakotay Sigma-Upsilon-Xi," he demanded.

"Unauthorized," the computer responded again.

"Computer, who revoked my authorization," Chakotay queried.

"Lieutenant Commander Tuvok revoked your privileges."

"Son of a bitch, I hate that man," Chakotay spat. He sat at his table and began to figure out how he could regain control of the situation that had quickly run away from him. He wasn't exactly sure what had gotten him into trouble in the first place but he knew it had something to do with the Borg.

"Ahh, Captain, thank you for gracing me with your presence," the Doctor teased.

"Yeah, yeah, you're wonderful. Look at my back," she felt a squeeze to her hand and added, "please."

"Certainly," he acquiesced. Pulling out a medical tricorder, he started to scan her back. "Okay, Captain, you do have an injury but I can fix it in a few moments."

When she heard him start to collect some materials she turned and stared at him until he looked back at her. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong or shall I guess why my back feels like it's been kicked by an elephant?"

"I apologize, Captain. It's a simple fractured lumbar. Nothing is displaced or permanently injured; with a bone-knitter, I can fix it quite readily. First, however, I'm going to give you a mild anti-inflammatory and anesthetizing hypospray to take away the swelling and pain and then I'll repair the injury. Okay?"

"Yes, thank you," she replied curtly.

A short half hour later, the women were once again in the corridors. This time their hands were interlocked, which seemed more intense than simply grasping palm to palm. Every few moments, Seven felt the captain subtly rub her hand with her thumb. It was eerie how empty the ship seemed. They ran in to no one between Sickbay and Cargo Bay Two. Just as they rounded the last bend to Cargo Bay Two, B'Elanna Torres came into view.

"Captain," she called, "I can't get in to the Cargo Bay and I can't find Seven of Nine. I know you probably don't believe me but I was looking for her earlier to apologize and then when she didn't show up to help in engineering I got a little worried and now the computer won't tell me anything about her whereabouts on the ship and it's saying her comm-badge is non-functional. I think something's happened to her. We have to find her, Captain, I have a bad feeling about this." B'Elanna hardly took a breath through her whole speech and was struck mute by the captain's simple response.

"Okay."

Still silent, Torres followed Janeway into the Cargo Bay; she idly noted that the Captain's left hand was being held at an odd angle away from her body but she was still cycling through ideas about what could've happened to Seven to realize what that meant. She heard the captain's gasp and looked around to see that the cargo bay looked absolutely ransacked. "Captain, we have to get you to a secure location! It's not safe in here, we must have an intruder on board," Torres drew her phaser and stepped into a defensive stance near the captain to attempt to secure her commanding officer.

"Lieutenant, it's okay," Janeway said calmly, "The only intruder who was in here today was Commander Chakotay. He alone is responsible for the destruction of Seven's alcoves. Now, the real question is can you repair them?"

Torres' mouth opened and closed twice before she finally spoke, "I think I need you to repeat that. What in Kahless' name is going on here? Chakotay did this? He's the First Officer, he would never destroy the ship like this. I don't understand. Where is he now?"

"B'Elanna, take a deep breath. I'll explain what's going on if you could just go seal the Cargo Bay doors again, please," Janeway used her pacifying voice again. Once B'Elanna was at the doors, Janeway spoke so quietly that only Seven could hear her. "I know you don't trust her right now, Seven, but I think getting her help on this could be a breakthrough for the two of you. She's a very smart woman and would probably be quite helpful in bringing you back to normal. What do you think? Do you trust me?"

Janeway felt the taller woman squeeze her hand once before sliding it up her arm to rest on the captain's shoulder. When the redhead felt Seven clutch her there, she reached out to the younger woman. Hand resting on the Borg's hip, the captain asked if Seven was okay and received an affirmative response. "Seven, I'm right here with you. You can hold on to me if you need to, or want to. I can't imagine how scared you must be right now. Or," she laughed, "how scared B'Elanna must be watching me talk to no one right now."

B'Elanna was, indeed, watching Janeway with no small amount of trepidation. To her eyes, the captain was talking to herself with her arm poised in the air. It looked quite strange and she did not know where to even begin her questions. Before she could, Janeway dropped her hand to her side and squared herself toward the younger woman.

"Okay, B'Elanna, before you ask, I need you to answer something for me. Take your time and be totally, completely honest with your answer. No matter what you say, I will not be upset with you. Do you trust me?"

"Yes." The answer was out of the Lieutenant's mouth as soon as Janeway finished asking.

"No, really, B'Elanna, think about it. Do you trust me completely? Even if I were to say something that sounded totally nuts, would you trust me?"

"I don't need to think about it, Captain Janeway. I trust you. Completely."

Seven smiled at that. She did not always like the formidable half-Klingon, but in that moment she respected her more than she ever had before. Without thinking, the Borg reached her arm around Janeway's shoulders and offered her a half-hug. The captain smiled and briefly closed her eyes before speaking, "Seven of Nine is invisible."

"Uh, what?"

Laughing again, Janeway repeated herself, "Seven of Nine is invisible. Whatever anomaly struck Voyager caused Seven to be invisible. I don't understand it and neither does she but it's true."

"How could that happen? How do you know? The computer won't give her location, how do you know where she is?"

"Computer," Janeway said loudly, "locate Seven of Nine's biosignature."

"Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay Two."

"Seriously? Seven's here? Where?" B'Elanna looked around, shell-shocked but believing.

"Remember when you said you trusted me?"

Torres nodded.

"Good, then close your eyes and put your hands out. Wait! First, put your phaser away," Janeway directed.

When B'Elanna had done as Janeway asked, Seven stepped forward and placed her right hand in B'Elanna's right hand. B'Elanna grasped Seven's hand as Janeway told her to open her eyes. When B'Elanna looked at her hand and saw no one else's hand in it she was beyond astounded. She could not formulate a single question and took to moving her hand and the one in it up and down to see if she really thought there was an arm on the other end. When she was sure she was actually shaking someone else's hand, she squinted, trying to see something in the space in front of her.

"Captain? How do you know it's Seven?"

"Trust me, B'Elanna, I know it's her," Janeway answered as she reached out palm up and closed her eyes. Torres felt Seven release her hand and watched as the captain's hand received the extra weight of another hand on top of it. She saw Janeway's fingers interlock with Seven and watched as the redhead breathed deeply. It was as though B'Elanna could see the captain become centered in front of her very eyes. She had never before witnessed someone become whole but when Seven of Nine held Kathryn Janeway's hand that was exactly what happened. Despite her usual misgivings about the former drone, B'Elanna knew she had to fix this situation. She, too, cared for Kathryn Janeway and she would not stand by and allow Kathryn to lose something so precious to her.

"Yes, Captain, it's her," B'Elanna said quietly. She's the one you love. It's her and not me that completes you. I can handle this. I'll help them. They need to know what they mean to each other.

Torres watched as the captain was pulled toward Seven's workstation. A minute later the computer informed Janeway of a message on her PADD.

To: Captain K. Janeway

From: Seven of Nine

Captain, if you trust B'Elanna Torres then so shall I. I think it would be best if you informed her of my regeneration situation and let her know that I would fully appreciate her help in reconstructing at least one alcove. I do not understand why but my nanoprobes are malfunctioning and in order to maintain full efficiency I must regenerate soon.

I will not file an official grievance at this time but I do hope that you will remember this moment when you punish Commander Chakotay for this crime. Remember all he said in your quarters and that I am ill and unable to heal because of his actions.

I would also appreciate it if you would inform Lieutenant Torres of the reason that she is needed to repair the Borg alcoves. I feel that she has a right to know why she is being asked to work so much past her shift to help someone she so despises.

Janeway knew by the requests and tenor of the memo that Seven of Nine was furious. She imagined the look on that perfect face right now and clenched her fist to contain the rage she felt at Chakotay.

"Seven, I promise that I will overlook none of that in the punishment I deem necessary. You have my word that Tuvok and I will discuss this and your current state will be part of that discussion. I'm sorry about this morning and I promise you will have justice." Janeway finished her whispered diatribe and felt Seven once again put her hands on the captain's shoulders.

B'Elanna's head was tilted and her eyes slightly narrowed as she strained to hear what the captain was saying to Seven.

"B'Elanna, Seven has asked that I explain everything that's going on right now. While I would not typically share all of this information with a crewmember, I feel that since she has requested it and she is the one dealing with the brunt of the situation, I'll let you know. It all started this morning…" Janeway went on to give the half-Klingon the full account of the day.

"You mean to tell me," Torres asked when Janeway was done, "that Chakotay said all of those things in front of Seven? Then he came down here and trashed the place? Why, Captain?"

"Jealousy? Anger? Stupidity? I don't know. What I do know is that Seven needs to regenerate as soon as possible and you and I are going to have to repair an alcove for her to do it in, or at least rig something up that will help her."

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier when I hailed you in your quarters?"

"Seven asked me not to. Even now, when she's in the midst of this frustrating state of affairs, she feels you have the right to know why you're being asked to help someone you despise. I'm sure you understand her reluctance to inform you of such a frightening experience. She is obviously not one of your favorite people on the ship, Torres," Janeway said scathingly.

"I know that I've behaved terribly toward Seven but she still should have known I would help her."

"How? How was she to know that, B'Elanna? You've just spent a month passing off all of her ideas as your own; why in hell would she think you would help her?"

"You're absolutely right. I'm sorry; it just bothers me that she wouldn't just tell me about this. I know I need to apologize to her when I can see her but I want you to know that I really am sorry, Captain. I'm so disgusted with myself."

Janeway walked over to the alcoves and began scanning it with a tricorder as she answered, "I am, too. You make life as difficult for her as possible and you do it publicly. I completely understood her request not to inform you. The only reason you know right now is because I suggested that we tell you so you could help. I'm sure if Seven were up to it, she'd be doing this work herself right now instead of leaving it to us."

"Yes, ma'am," B'Elanna answered formally.

The computer interrupted, "Message to Captain Janeway transferred to PADD Janeway Beta Delta."