V.

"Captain, am I correct in assuming that our relationship is based on trust?"

Janeway looked at Seven of Nine who stood near the closed door of her quarter, hands clasped behind her back. She took a sip from her coffee mug to buy time. "I hope so."

"Then I need to tell you something, otherwise it would feel like a betrayal of trust to me."

Janeway put down her coffee mug. "Go ahead."

"I have played the Doctor's holo-novel."

"I'm surprised," Janeway smiled with a hint of confusion. "What do you think? You must be flattered. Three of Eight is the only likable person in the novel apart from the Doc himself."

"I did not play the EMH, I played Three of Eight."

"Now that's an idea. I should have played Jenkins. At least it would have spared me to get decompiled by myself."

"Jenkins is nothing like you," Seven snapped.

Janeway gave Seven a half smile. "I know, but Jenkins sure looks like me. She even has my scars in her face."

"You should not feel offended. The Doctor didn't mean to imply that it is you."

Janeway's smile broadened. "I know that, but frankly I don't think you're here to discuss the Doctor's latest artwork. Playing his novel is hardly a betrayal of trust."

"You're correct."

"I thought as much."

Seven stiffened. "It is not the fact that I played it, but rather how I played it."

Janeway observed Seven over her coffee mug as she took another sip.

"I have copulated with Captain Jenkins."

Janeway choked on her coffee, causing her to cough violently. "What?" she croaked between coughing.

Seven waited patiently until Janeway had calmed down.

"I was engaged in a sexual intercourse with the Captain Jenkins," Seven rephrased her words.

Janeway gave her a look that said she had understood very well the first time. "How the hell did that happen?" she asked sharply.

"The character suggested it. In return she promised to refrain from decompiling the EMH."

"And you complied?" Janeway's voice got a raspy edge.

"Obviously," Seven answered coolly.

"Why?"

"It was a logical course of action. My goal was to save the EMH and this was what I had to do."

Janeway now jumped up from the couch and started pacing through the room. "Seven, there's nothing logical about being coerced into doing such a thing. You should have ended the program."

"It was my free decision to proceed," Seven said, sounding defensive.

"That's not a healthy way to explore your sexuality!" Janeway burst out. She emphasized the weight of her words by waving her arms.

"What is then? The Fair Heaven program?" Seven demanded, sounding aggressive now.

"You can hardly compare that," Janeway shouted. "The characters in the Doctor's novel are over-exaggerated and comical. They're two-dimensional. The Fair Heaven people are normal, lifelike people."

"As normal as 19th century people from earth can be on a 24th century Starship in the Delta Quadrant," Seven remarked.

Janeway's eyes were burning, but Seven chose to ignore it. "I have never questioned what you, Ensign Kim and others do in Fair Heaven. It is of no ones concern what you are doing off-duty.

Janeway crossed her arms over her chest. "And why did you come here if what you've done isn't questionable?"

"I do not know," Seven snapped, turned around on her heels and left Janeway's quarter.

VI.

Seven went back to Cargo Bay 2. She occupied herself with writing the weekly report, but unluckily her intellectual capacity was big enough to ponder about recent events at the same time. While tapping data into her console with inhuman speed she considered that losing in velocity, being obliged to perform at talent night as a result and having unresolved issues with Janeway all in one day was certainly not bringing her closer to perfection, and perfection in every respect was exactly what Seven of Nine strove for.

Speaking of perfection, Seven reminded herself, she should perfect the slide show she had started to prepare nearly two years ago and had been revising ever since. The slide show was a part of her favourite fantasy regarding her beloved Captain. It was made to be played on the big screen in astrometrics to Janeway and had the name 'Delta Quadrant Beauties.' In this fantasy Seven would show Janeway various stellar phenomena of the Delta Quadrant which were considered aesthetically pleasing, then would go on to display some wormholes, which she knew Janeway was particularly fond of. Then pictures of Seven of Nine herself would be displayed, beginning with the formfitting, sleeveless sport dress and ending with her topless, covering her breasts with her hands, pushing them up ever so slightly. In the fantasy Janeway knew very well how to admire beauty. Convinced by the exciting show, she would then indulge herself in the beauty at hand, which happened to be her astrometrics officer.

Seven fancied the idea of being laid on the platform of the large view screen. Janeway for some reason would be wearing the standard Starfleet tank top and be sweaty and a little dirty, as if she had worked a whole shift in engineering. Seven felt liquid fire erupt in her stomach when she thought of a sweaty Janeway bending over her, kissing her throat and roaming her body, only to end up where Seven was most hot and needy by that point. She would do all this with her small yet very capable hands. Janeway would tell her that she was the most resourceful astrometrics officer she ever had, and Seven would then, of course, remind her that she was the only astrometrics officer she had ever had.

She sighed. She still needed to find the perfect final picture that could serve as background while they were engaged in a sexual intercourse on the platform. Perhaps a star going supernova would be appropriate.

Seven was determined to at least have Janeway watch her 'Delta Quadrant Beauties' presentation. She would give the file to her after she had won her first velocity match, and advise her to watch it in the privacy of her quarters. This probably would make the Captain aware of Seven's advantages, if she wasn't already well aware.

The ex-Borg sighed. After the latest discussion with her Captain she doubted if Janeway would be willing to appreciate the very special beauties of the Delta Quadrant. But after all, Seven encouraged herself, Janeway was an explorer by heart.