Disclaimer: Only the story is mine. Everything else belongs to Paramount. As much as I'd like to say Seven and B'Elanna are mine, 'twould be a falsehood. (sigh) This story contains femslash (yup, women love women here, get used to it) so if that offends you, then read something else. Although if you've read Ghosts, the story before this one, then you're probably not offended by it if you're still reading. And if you haven't read Ghosts—go read it!

Author Notes: Sequel to Ghosts.

Code: T7
Rating: R
Genre: Romance/Drama
Original post date: Feb, 2001
PLEASE REVIEW!


Family, Chapter 4


Seven couldn't find B'Elanna. Engineering didn't know where she was; they told Seven that she was in her quarters. The computer had confirmed it, but all Seven found in B'Elanna's quarters was her commbadge. She was heading to Astrometrics to use the ships sensors to locate B'Elanna. On her way, she ran Janeway.

"Captain." Seven greeted.

"Seven, hold on a minute, I need to talk to you." Seven impatiently checked her internal chronometer and shook her head.

"Another time, Captain. I regret that I am in a hurry."

"To do what, exactly?"

"Captain?" Seven realized that the tone in Janeway's voice was displeased.

"I have had several complaints. You have not been putting in time with Icheb. Every time that Engineering asks you to help them, you claim to have something more important to do and I've had reports that you have been short-tempered with everyone around you for at least a week now."

"It is a personal matter, captain," Seven said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Personal? Well as happy as I am that your personal life has been thriving lately, you should know how I feel about letting personal matters get in the way of your duties."

"And what are my duties?" Seven snapped irritably.

"Excuse me? Astrometrics—"

"Correct. The Astrometrics Lab is my responsibility. And I have not neglected it. I am not assigned to Engineering and therefore, I expect that if my duties in Astrometrics are more pressing, then I should be expected to make that my priority." Seven ended hotly.

Kathryn spun on her. "I have reviewed your 'priorities,' Seven and have not seen one that was more important than the assignments you were requested to—"

"Requested, captain. Not ordered. However, if you wish to reassign me to being under control by Engineering, then by all means, do so. But right now, I am not on duty and I do have an urgent matter to attend to. So, if you will excuse me..."

"No, I will not. Seven, I don't know what your problem is and right now, I don't care. You will not speak that way to either myself or a member of my crew."

"Am I not a member of that crew?"

"Yes! And that is why I expect you to show me and your fellow crewmates a certain measure of respect!" Kathryn's eyes darkened dangerously as she fumed at the former drone. Seven was about to erupt when she noticed the hurt that was also in those eyes. Hurt she had put there. When the captain had first stopped her, her eyes had been concerned for her. Seven fought the emotions seething inside of her and forced herself to be calm.

"I... apologize, Captain. I truly do have an important matter that I must take care of, I believe that is the reason I am being so short with you. I did not mean to injure you," Seven said softly. Kathryn was taken aback by the sudden change in mood. She realized how hard it must have been for Seven to say what she had, so she tried another approach.

"What is the matter?" Kathryn asked and Seven sighed.

"I am unable to locate Lieutenant Torres."

"Well, I'm surprised that you're looking for her, considering your recent behavior; don't think I didn't notice. Is B'Elanna the reason you've been avoiding Engineering?"

"Yes, but not for the reason that you may believe."

"Then why?" Kathryn looked at Seven with wide, anxious eyes. Seven sighed and relented.

"We have been involved."

"Involved? Involved in what?" Janeway looked at Seven and immediately understood. "Oh," was all she could think of to say.

"I recently ended our relationship due to personal reasons and was not able to adapt to the loss of our... companionship. I was brought to my attention that I have been acting... 'out of character' and suggested that I discuss my dilemma with B'Elanna instead of continuing my... inappropriate behavior."

"Sounds like good advice," Kathryn said kindly. Seven nodded.

"But now, I am unable to locate B'Elanna. She is not wearing her commbadge, therefore I was going to use the refined sensors in Astrometrics to locate her."

"You do that. And Seven—next time, remember that you can talk to me anytime you want. I miss our games of Velocity."

"As do I, Captain." Janeway smiled at Seven and she returned it. For a moment, Kathryn was startled at how naturally Seven was now smiling, then she gave her all the help she could:

"Good luck."

"Thank you, Captain." Seven resumed her hurried walk as soon as the captain disappeared down the corridor. Once she reached Astrometrics, she broke into a run. There, laying in front of an open computer terminal, was B'Elanna. She was unconscious and the tool she was using was still on, melting the terminal panel it had fallen next to. Seven shook B'Elanna, but quickly realized that there was something definitely wrong.

The young half-Klingon was too light. Seven could feel all the bones in her back as she scooped her up into her arms.

"B'Elanna, please wake up," Seven begged, feeling for B'Elanna's pulse. It was there, weak and thready, but she didn't seem to be breathing correctly. Seven hit her commbadge and spoke harshly into it. "Medical emergency in Astrometrics."

To be continued...