21. Homestead

It had been a week now since Neelix had left Voyager to join the Talaxian colony, but if the crew had expected to lose him, they were thoroughly mistaken. Loyal soul that he was, he had established a comm link and spent three hours catching up with his former shipmates, especially Tuvok and the Wildmans. Seven's turn came last of all, and while Naomi and Samantha left Astrometrics, Seven glanced anxiously at the timer in one corner of the screen. She could not keep up the link for very much longer.

"Mr. Neelix, I … require advice. On a problem of a … personal nature."

Neelix fidged a little in his chair. "Ooh … er … really? Are you sure I'm the right person to speak to about this?"

"You were our Morale Officer."

"Of course." His fingers drummed nervously against his yellow waistcoat. "But wouldn't you rather speak to the Captain? I thought you were close."

Seven tensed. "The Captain," she admitted, "Is part of the problem. If she knew what I am about to tell you, she would be ashamed of me … "

Neelix's eyes went round and he opened his mouth, about to make a polite protest. She cut him off.

"I created a simulation of one of the senior officers to by my holographic lover, in spite of Starfleet regulations forbidding it The program distracted me from my duties, so I deleted it, but now the same individual – the real one – has asked me out on a date. How should I proceed?"

Chakotay's smiling face was still in the back of her mind. She had never felt as close to him before as she did since Ledosia; seeing his kind and respectful demeanor towards the Ventu, as well as his protectiveness of her, had done something to her emotions that felt suspiciously like falling in love. If only her cortical node would remain functional … and if only she didn't keep seeing the Doctor's sorrowful eyes after their argument about the surgery. Their last argument.

Neelix's gray eyes went wider than ever … then crinkled into lines of laughter as he shook his head over and over again.

"Why, Seven of Nine," he chuckled. "You are a romantic! I didn't know you had it in you. Who was it then? Did he – or she – bring you roses and play duets with you? Your hologram, I mean."

"Mr. Neelix - " She glared, her hand inching toward the button that would terminate th link.

"Oy! Enough with the death glare, please, you're worse than Mr. Vulcan!" Neelix held up his hands in playful surrender, then settled them back on his lap with an expression as sober as Tuvok's own. "I'm sorry, Seven. I promise I won't laugh again. Now, what seems to be the problem?"

She hesitated. It all seemed a little too much to detail over one video conversation.

"You are attracted to this someone, aren't you?" he probed.

"Yes … "

"And if you both feel the same way, why not just accept?"

Why not, indeed.

"Because I had … similar feelings … for someone else for approximately two years."

"Ooh. Hmm … " He tugged on his whiskers thoughtfully, hesitating several moments before answering. "I had no idea … you're quite the mystery, aren't you? Even after four years. You say you had feelings for this other person. Don't you have them now?"

"I am … uncertain."

"And do you know what they think of you?"

She suppressed a sigh. "He considers me a valuable colleague, perhaps a friend … but never once has he shown the slightest sign of a romantic interest in me. In fact he has often encouraged me to show interest in other people."

Neelix grimaced and clucked his tongue in sympathy. "Ow. That must be difficult for you."

"It certainly is."

"If you really want my advice … "

"Yes?"

"I'd say, leave the past behind you and look to the future." He smiled and nodded like a kindly uncle, his hands linked comfortably across his stomach. "It sounds like you and your new interest, whoever that is, have a potential that's worth exploring. A one-sided relationship will only hurt you – take my word for it." His face darkened for a moment, perhaps thinking of Kes, but then he shook his head as if to wipe the frown away and smiled at her again.

"Thank you, Mr. Neelix. I will consider your advice."

"Anytime, Seven."

"I trust you will keep this confidential."

"Absolutely."

"Goodbye then … and will you contact us next week? At the same time?"

"You can tell me all about your date." He winked.

"Give my regards to Ms. Dexa and her son."

"I will. Over and out!" With a final wave, Neelix ended the transmission.

Seven watched the empty screen for one long moment, considering. His advice sounded as logical as advice about one's love life could possibly be, and Chakotay was charming. She still had the Ventu blanket rolled up in a corner of her cargo bay, a souvenir of their time in the jungle.

"Seven to Chakotay?"

"Go ahead."

"I have reconsidered your offer," phrasing it neutrally, in case he was on the bridge with the others listening, "And I accept."

"I look forward to it," he said softly. "Tonight, Holodeck Two, nineteen hundred hours?"

She pushed all thoughts of tuxedoes, tricorders, musical scores, fan letters, last arguments and reproachful hazel eyes out of her mind.

"Acknowledged."