Okay some quick announcements. In my story please assume that Seven's failsafe device has already been removed. It just gets in the way. Second I am very proud of myself because I finished this story. Am going to be posting in installments, but have no fear it is complete. So yay. Anyway Review a lot. The more you review the faster I'll post the chapters.

The next morning Seven left Axum in Sickbay with the Doctor and she went to the messhall for breakfast. As she entered she notice Chakotay was sitting alone at a table with a cup of tea. After retrieving a tray of food she approached his table.

"May I join you Commander," asked Seven nervously.

Chakotay instantly took stock of Seven's demeanor and invited her to sit.

"Please have a seat."

Seven awkwardly sat down, still unused to the position. Chalotay waited till Seven was settled before striking up a conversation.

"So where is Axum?"

Chakotay reframed from kicking himself. He was finally alone with Seven and not yet on duty and he had to bring up her ex and his competition. Seven seemed oblivious to his inner turmoil.

"He is in Sickbay Commander."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes Commander. The Doctor has agreed to remove Axum's implants like he did mine."

"Oh. Well thats good I suppose."

"Yes Commander."

Chakotay was coming to hate his rank. He made a decision to make a move.

"You know Seven, when we are off duty you can call me Chakotay. All the senior staff and even some crewmen call me by my given name when we are off duty."

"If that is what you prefer Comm, Chakotay."

Chakotay smiled as Seven said his name. It sounded almost sensual coming from her lips. That was a start, now for the next move.

"So Seven what are you doing for lunch today?"

Chakotay gulped waiting for her reply.

"I had intended to ask Lieutenants Paris and Ensign Kim if I may join them and apologize for my behavior last night."

"Seven what happened last night was not your fault. Axum had no right to talk about your personal life in front of others without your express permission. You have no reason to apologize."

"I do not intend to apologize for Axum's behavior, just my own. I left abruptly during our conversation last night and it was rude of me," said Seven firmly as she was finishing her meal.

Chakotay knew he wasn't going to convince her that she didn't need to apologize. Which meant that a lunch date was out of the question. He wasn't giving up, but he wasn't going to push her now.

"Well perhaps I can join all of you for lunch as well."

Seven inclined her head not trusting herself to speak. She was beginning to realize that perhaps Axum had been right in his assessment of Chakotay and his actions towards her.

"Well then I will see you later Seven."

"See you later Comma, Chakotay."

Seven and Chakotay exited the messhall from different doors on their way to their appropriate stations. They met again for lunch along with Tom, B'Elanna, and Harry. Everyone reframed from discussing the night before after Seven apologized for her behavior. Tom quickly started discussing the new baby pool he was starting to determine when his and B'Elanna's baby was going to be born. Not for the first time, Seven was thankful for the irrelevant conversation. After an enjoyable lunch the five of them decided to meet for dinner and then returned to their respective stations.

As each of their shifts ended, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, Seven, and Chakotay gathered in the messhall for dinner. Conversation started of light, but then turned more serious.

"So Seven, any ideas of the location of the Borg queen," asked B'Elanna, curious about Seven's work for once.

"Nothing conclusive, B'Elanna," said Seven still unused to using the half klingon's given name.

After they had heard Seven call the Commander by his given name at lunch Tom, B'Elanna, and Harry had insisted Seven do the same for them. Reluctantly she agreed. Before Harry could offer to help Seven if she needed it the doors to the messhall opened and Seven paused mid bite. At Seven's reaction the table's four remaining occupants looked at the doors and were surprised to see a man they did not recognize. Before any of them could contact security about an intruder alert the man had approached the table.

"May I join you, Seven and colleagues?"

"You may. Everyone let me reintroduce you to Axum."

Everyone stared in shock at the ex-drone before them and his use of Seven's borg name. Each of them had different thoughts. Wow. Not bad looking. A jerk, but not bad, thought B'Elanna. The Doc did a good job, thought Tom. Harry was a bit disappointed that Axum had come out of the procedure looking like a relatively good looking guy with minimal implants marring his face. Chakotay saw Seven's shocked face and couldn't help but wish that she had let him get rid of Axum the night before. Clearly she still is attracted to him, thought Chakotay. Seven's thoughts however were the exact opposite. She looked into the face of the man that she had once been involved with and couldn't help but compare him to the man sitting next to her. He is not as tall as the Commander and his shoulders are not as broad. His hair is also lighter. His eyes are not as mesmerizing as Chakotay's. Seven stopped her thoughts as a blush crept across her face. Chakotay saw her reaction and clenched his fists in jealousy.

"Yes have a seat," said the Commander in the most welcoming voice he could muster.

"So Axum how does it feel being free of all that Borg technology," asked Tom trying to think up a way to get onto a neutral topic.

"It is liberating if you will pardon the humor."

Everyone smirked and tried to relax so they could enjoy their dinner. Unfortunately that wasn't going to happen.

"I wish to apologize for my behavior last night. I was out of line," said Axum out of no where.

Everyone tensed up at the mention of the previous night. Harry, Chakotay, and B'Elanna glared daggers at Axum as he looked to Seven for approval. Seven however was looking down and trying to remain in her seat. Tom sensed the tension rising and did what he did best.

"So Seven, you and Chakotay never finished telling us about the Ventu. What was it like meeting such primitive beings?"

Seven thanked Tom with her eyes for his attempts to draw her onto a neutral topic. Under normal circumstances she would label the topic as irrelevant conversation, but right now it was the distraction everyone needed.

"It was quite an unusual experience Tom..."

The rest of dinner was spent talking about the Ventu and how Chakotay should never be allowed to pilot a shuttle again.