Malfunct

by Clayton Overstreet

Sevenof Nine's relationship with Chakotay peters out after their return to Earth. Seeking answers she is directed to captain Janeway who explains to her why sometimes seemingly perfect relationships aren't always perfect and suggests/shows Seven that maybe she was not so much malfunctioning as barking up the wrong tree.

I don't own these characters or profit from them.

Malfunction

By, Clayton Overstreet

Admiral Kathryn Janeway lay by the pool outside her home. It was roughly six months since she and her crew had finally returned to Earth. She and most of her crew had elected to take a sabbatical of at least a year, maybe more. After years trapped onboard Voyager at the other end of the universe facing one trial after another nobody could deny that they deserved the time off. Decisions on their future could wait.

It was nice being back in civilized space where replicators could give a person anything they might want or need to the point that they had long ago done away with money. After all that time trading, buying, salvaging, and at times even swindling what they could to keep their ship running in their hopes of getting home within their lifetime. Considering doing so had taken the intervention of several god-like beings and hijacking equipment from the Borg, Janeway wanted to enjoy a little leisurely excess.

So it was somewhat ironic when the doorbell rand and the holographic screen that popped into the air beside her showed a Borg at the door. A beautiful blond in a skin tight purple outfit with a few metallic bits sticking out of her face. Healthy looking compared to most of her kind, though rumors had floated that many of the cybernetic zombies were beginning to free themselves from their collective or at least show some traces of individuality. Seven-of-Nine was not the first, but she was the most advanced known case, having completely broken away from the Borg Queen.

A similar screen appeared next to her. "It's good to see you 7. What brings you by?"

"You have often invited me here and there was something I wished to discuss with you. I believe I may be experiencing a malfunction."

"Oh? Well come in and tell me all about it. Door, open." The screen vanished and from inside the house through the open sliding door she could hear footsteps until the statuesque blond stepped back into the sunlight. Kathryn motioned to another pool chair next to her. "Relax and tell me what is bothering you." Seven looked between Janeway and the chair for a moment, noting the Admiral's two piece swimsuit. She finally sat down, though she did not look relaxed. There was a long moment of silence. "Well?"

"It is a complicated issue. As you know when I left Voyager I had begun a relationship with Chakotay. We seemed to enjoy each other's company and we were both of at least reasonable attractiveness by humanoid standards."

Janeway nodded. "I wouldn't dispute that. I know it's a bit of a foreign concept to the Borg. Say what you want about them, but physical attractiveness is certainly not how they judge others."

"Indeed, though of course we recognize symmetry in features as a sign of health in most species. And I of course have learned to recognize the beauty of things. I can look at a painting and see more than an arrangement of pigment and I even recognize the horror of Borg assimilations compared to natural beauty. I thought in my opinion that Chakotay was quite handsome and attractive by human standards. We got along well, discussed many topics, and trusted one another with our lives. I would, I believe, without question die to protect him as he would me. As most anyone on the crew would."

"True. Whatever our differences those of us who made it back have certainly forged bonds that are, if not unbreakable, are strong and lasting. I take it though that the way you are speaking you and Mr. Chakotay are no longer an item?"

Seven frowned. "Negative. As I said, I appear to be suffering a malfunction. He and I began a physical relationship, which I had assumed was quite satisfactory. I received pleasant stimulation and he seemed to enjoy my body. However as time went on he claimed that I lacked… passion." Janeway watched her mouth as she frowned prettily. "I went to the Doctor and was assured that despite my Borg implants he could find nothing physically wrong with me. So I contacted a Diana Troi…"

"I know of her. A Betazed-Human hybrid with remarkable skills in mental health. Possibly the best in the Federation largely due to her empathic abilities. She served on the Enterprise with some of the finest officers we have in some of the most strenuous situations."

"Indeed. She was one of the first people to contact the Borg and one of the few to survive the experience on a fairly regular basis. She is as close to an expert in Borg metal processes, both those who remain a part of the collective and those who have broken free of it. Not least of all their captain."

"Yes Jean-Luc was the first confirmed human Borg and certainly the first to be retrieved." Janeway knew that this was an amazing feet and also that it had left a bit of a cloud over the man. Many high ranking officials wondered how much Borg had been left behind. Having seen Seven revert on several occasions Janeway understood the caution and had told Seven that she might want to make his acquaintance. She had a similar cloud despite the help she had been to Voyager. She had spent most of her life as part of the collective, not just a few hours or days. Even the Borg still recognized Loqutus as one of them. The attempts by the Dominion and its shape-shifting leaders to infiltrate the Federation and other empires from the wormhole near Deep Space Nine had not helped in that regard. "I take it Ms. Troi was of some assistance."

"Not much," she confided. "I'm afraid her response was the same as his. I spent several weeks recounting my relationship with him both aboard the ship and since. I explained that we were quite comfortable with each other, had shared most if not all of our secrets, and had what I thought was the definition of a functional and effective relationship. I had of course downloaded the psychological texts myself and compared them to the facts as I knew them. Troi agreed that I met all the definitions." She saw Janeway's face. "Captain… sorry, Admiral… I feel I have come to recognize your facial reactions well and you seem to understand the problem and have developed a theory, but are trying hard to find a way to explain it to me."

She smiled ruefully. "That is true Seven. You know our relationship has never been easy. At first I thought of myself as a sort of white night, saving you from the Borg. Then as you grew as a person and got in touch with your human side, I almost felt like your mother. Like how you felt for those Borg children you rescued and returned to their families. By the end I had come to rely on you are much as anyone in the crew and while I can't help but think of you as young and perhaps a tad naïve in certain ways, you no longer strike me as a child. You have faced dangers and challenges that grown humans and even other longer-lived races would have balked at."

Seven nodded. "I have felt the same about you. The things our crew faced on Voyager were unfamiliar to all of us. Age means nothing in that context. Only capability. I understand one of the greatest minds humanity has ever produced, a man named Hawking, was confined to a wheelchair for the majority of his life, barely able to move. Yet his work formed the basis for much of modern day space travel. All the same I could easily have struck him down with very little effort. It took both physical and mental acuity to survive our adventures and come out of them physically and mentally intact."

Janeway added, "That and luck. We lost many good people and some competent bad ones often to chance as much as anything else. Just as many factors had to align for us to rescue you and for you to join us." She took a deep breath. "Tell me something, why did you come to me with this?"

"It was Troi's suggestion. After studying our logs and listening to my description in person she suggested that you might be able to help me with this malfunction."

"Was that the word she used?"

Seven shook her head. "No. She implied that it was not so much a flaw in my mental health or programming as it was simply a fact of my character. She told me that Chakotay was right and that when I thought of him and what I felt for him, I lacked passion. She says I am capable of it."

"I have never doubted it. Even when you were pure Borg you expressed yourself quite vigorously at times. Particularly in your denials."

"Yes. I believe it was Shakespeare who stated that the lady doth protest too much. I understand now how too fervent a denial can be just as revealing or more as a straight forward confession. Particularly when one does not understand their own emotions."

"Yes, which I think is the point. Did you discuss me much in these sessions?"

"Naturally. You have been possibly the most influential person in my life."

"I suspected as much. Um… as you say I'm trying to figure out how to put this. You observed many of the relationships aboard the ship. Did any of them strike you are particularly easy?"

Seven frowned. "No. in fact I had wondered about that. It seemed that humanoid relationships often seem to degenerate at regular intervals and at random into bickering, denial, anger, separation, obsession, fear, and a variety of unhealthy and nearly insane actions. Your own for example. You had several relationships both physical and emotional ranging from Q, to being turned into an amphibian, various humanoid males, and even several fictional characters in the holodeck. At times it was quite worrying."

Smirking Janeway said, "Oh yes. But you must admit it was also passionate. They were never easy and when they ended it hurt. At least in all the ones that meant anything."

Seven pursed her lips in thought. "I see. It is like when the Doctor's family was reprogrammed. He had originally designed them to be a happy simplistic relationship which allowed him to pretend to have a classic 'normal' life. When that changed he almost deleted them, particularly when his daughter lay dying."

"Instead he, a hologram, began to feel things like frustration, crushing loss, and love. Even if they in reality could only mimic those feelings."

"Indeed. Much as human children become attached to toys like bears or dolls. The relationship is fictional and will lead nowhere, but for the child it is as real and sometimes more so than what they experience with real people. I understand several purely mechanical beings have developed in the same way. Commander Data and similar androids, the Moriarty program and a collection of tiny machines among others from Enterprise, Vick from Deep Space Nine, and several more. It had become quite the debate among scientists."

"And you bridge the gap nicely," Janeway said. "As did the Queen."

"That is not a prime example of a good use of emotions."

"True. But that is the point. Did you love Chakotay?"

"Yes. I believe I still do. I also feel sad that our romantic relationship was terminated."

"Did you cry? Get angry?"

"Not as such. He explained himself and his feelings, although I am still at a loss to identify the specific problem. Since I care for him I expressed my disappointment, but I do not want to hurt him. He assured me that we can still be friends."

"Can you be satisfied with that?"

"It would seem that I must. I offered to try again if I could understand the malfunction."

Janeway sighed. "Again Seven as we all told you there may not be a malfunction so much as… an assumption. You have admitted that in the past you have failed to understand yourself. To the point that a few times you sought the predictability of the collective. Tell me, did you feel that Chakotay could or would hurt you, either physically or emotionally?"

"Not at all. He was an honorable man who cared about me. Even as he told me he wished to separate romantically he did everything I think capable to spare my feelings and make sure that I was fine with it. I did likewise and had no intention of ever doing anything to harm him and I could tell he was in turmoil about his decision to end it. I tried to make it as painless as possible."

"I assumed as much. Now, you had several relationships while we were still out there. Did any of them end well?"

"Certainly not. I have been manipulated, tricked, and found some people were not who they thought I was let alone who they were. Other times I had to make decisions on what was best and broke off the relationships myself even when it hurt both me and the other person. Worst of all was when I found people whom I connected with and felt intense love from and still lost or had to give up. Like the children." She sat up straight, looking smug. "I had assumed that I had learned from such mistakes and have grown as a person."

"Yes. Well you see Seven, I know it's not policy these days for humans to admit this, but that… that doesn't happen."

"What do you mean?"

"Well officially with the elimination of poverty, war, and the realization that we are not alone in the universe had catapulted humanity to the next stage in our evolution. The problem is we still have locks on our doors."

"Explain."

"Well take me. I have tried my best to negotiate with beings from societies far different from ours. I have forgiven people who wronged me and my friends and even when punishing those who we consider enemies I try to fit the punishment to the crime and actively try to not be vicious or brutal in the application of justice or let myself fall to vengeance."

"Indeed. It is one of the many reasons the crew followed you so loyally, even those who began as adversaries. Even your most ruthless enemies, if forced to tell the truth, would find little fault in your actions in that regard."

"Well let's not go that far. I've crossed moral lines a few times. But for the most part yes, I feel I've been fair and equitable in my relationships with even those I despise." She looked Seven in the eye. "So listen to me as I say right now, if the Borg Queen was to teleport in right here and now I would take the chairs in which we are sitting and I could do my best to beat her to death. I would throw her into this pool and watch her drown with a sense of accomplishment. If that failed I would hurry to the kitchen and grab knives and use those until I could get my hands on a phaser and would run the battery down shooting her in the face. If anything survived I would then call Starfleet and have them send a ship over here and bombard the remains until nothing was left but a smoking hole in the ground."

There was a brief silence before Seven said, "That would be an extreme but ultimately a wholly appropriate response. I presume something similar from someone else explains why only a small piece of her original body remains."

"And that is my point. What you have with Chakotay sounds more like friendship, possibly a sibling."

"I thought our relationship went rather well."

"Yes. And again that does not happen. Even among the Vulcan people that's not how it works. They have mutually respectful and calm relationships for seven years based on logic, but only because they are suppressing their emotions Similar to the people of planet Ork. Eventually though it all bubbles to the surface or it kills them." She looked up at the clouds. "I hate to tell you this but no humanoid had that level of perfection in a romantic relationship. You've seen it. A member of our crew evolved into a being of pure energy. The Q continuum is as far above us as we are above bacteria and Q, the trickster, has the best and possibly only real relationship out of all of them and even that is messed up on roughly the same level as the rest of us.

"I'm sorry Seven, but it sounds like you wanted a nice comfortable relationship with no drama."

"That is as it should be."

"True. Just as humans should be peaceful and loving beings who connect on a mental level with all other intelligent life forms in the universe."

"The reality would suggest otherwise."

"Exactly. Conflict in a relationship is a sign of several things. Too much is bad. Unfortunately none is…" He struggled to explain. "It's nothing. Neutrality. Boredom. Changelessness. A lack of excitement or… ah. I know. In order for a romantic relationship to flourish you have to take a risk. Like when you adopted the children. You took the chance that they would hate you and never accept you as their surrogate mother. When you gave them up you had no certainty that they would even remember you. you know the downside, but you also fear they will forget you. You knew that even thought hey had come to mean so much there was a good chance that you would never see them again." She looked Seven in the eye. "And you cried. Why did not you cry when Chakotay left?"

"Because I know that he will be there if I need him. He is a smart, competent man."

"He's safe."

"Yes. Why is that a bad thing?"

"It's not Seven. It's just that as a species, we have serious flaws. Maybe it's natural cynicism. The feeling that good and perfect things never last. You know the feeling. As a Borg you thought you would serve your purpose forever. Losing that while a good thing was also traumatizing. Just as becoming a Borg. To truly love someone means a radical shift in your priorities and needs. It requires that you make your whole world center on another separate individual's happiness and wellbeing. Someone who may be radically different than you. Not only that, but there are outstanding factors. How other people view the relationship. Do they get along with your friends and family? Do you have a previous relationship that is based on conflict or friendship that will be affected by the paradigm shift?

"For example if you and Chakotay had been together when you were raising the children, could you have chosen between them?"

"Yes," she said.

"And you would pick the children."

"Yes," she said again. "They needed me. Barring severe injury or death Chakotay is a fully capable and mature person who would weather emotional loss.. In addition if he were the type of person who did not understand that the children needed me more, he would not have been worth loving in the first place."

Laughing Janeway said, "You got it." She sat up, leaning to her knees. "Seven, love like that can't be controlled. Chakotay is a good man. Genetically he's probably good breeding stock. Personally he's a handsome strong man with an iron will and a caring heart. I'm sure that in bed he's also a fine lover."

"Yes, I find he was physically very competent."

"So are my hand and a vibrator. So is a hologram or a standard android." She frowned in concentration. "Tell me seven when you made love, did you ever find yourself out of control? Were you scared? Thrashing around? Did your toes curl painfully or did you feel like things were happening that you could not stop?"

"Troi asked me that too. No, not particularly. The whole process was fairly straightforward. Far more than in the past when it was all new and unexpected. Application of proper movement, friction, lubrication, and physical contact. The body secretes specially modified mucus and cells and the process leads to a blood rush accompanied by the release of adrenalin, endorphins, and various other chemicals that produce a pleasant euphoric effect."

"Well yes, that's the textbook answer," Janeway said uncertainly.

"It seems very hard to fail at. I experienced all of the symptoms of a proper orgasm and Chakotay seemed to enjoy it at the time as well. We did it many times and he assured me that I became quite proficient at it."

"Proficiency isn't the same as enjoyable. I do not know what you remember of your education as a child, but do you remember having to read something for an assignment and having it become a chore?" Seven nodded. "Great. And it was quite different than when you read something you enjoy of your own choosing?"

"I met all the criteria. It was something I wished to do and I felt no pressure. I wish to identify the malfunction in myself that prevented me from meeting his needs."

"I'm getting there. This is… complicated. Like most human interaction. Uh…. Neelix! That's it."

Seven raised an eyebrow. It reminded Janeway of when she met Ambassador Spock. "I hope you are not going to suggest that I am pining away for our former cook. While I do miss him…"

"No! Nothing like that. We all miss him, but I was thinking of the food. There are basics. The Borg live on paste. Technically we can and have been forced to survive on similar foods. An egg contains plenty of nutrients and with that and water a human could survive for quite some time. Toss in a few vitamins and technically you can live off them indefinitely and they will satisfy your hunger. It would work that way for everyone. But some people do not like eggs. Some are allergic to them. And pretty much all of us get bored with them eventually while others literally would be happy eating nothing else. You can add salt, pepper…"

"I rather like Tabasco sauce," Seven contributed.

"Right. And making love satisfies biological needs in similar ways. Some people like variety, some like to try new things, while others simply cannot enjoy it in specific ways no matter how you set it up. They may not hate eggs, may even eat them and find them satisfying, but given the choice would much prefer say chocolate ice cream or cookie dough or a steak."

"In this metaphor you are saying that I see Chakotay as plain eggs. Satisfying and not objectionable, but that I need something else to truly enjoy myself and no matter how hard I try I will continue to lack the missing ingredient?"

She sounded dejected. Janeway said quickly, "No! But I am saying that you will not find what it is with Chakotay. If you only check a chicken coup for food, you may find what you need your options will be limited and it may not be what you want." She shook her head. "I'm sorry Seven, but it's about chance again. Sometimes you find what you want right away and can be happy with it forever. Sometimes it takes some time and experimentation. And sometimes you never find it or you have to settle. This time you just did not find it."

She seemed to perk up a bit. "So there is still hope." Tilting her head she said, "But it seems that I should attempt to at least identify the thing about me that led to the failure. I cannot survive in space because my body requires proper atmosphere and shielding from cold and solar radiation. I am unable to identify such a fault. As I said I am intelligent, beautiful, and while I am not exactly normal by human standards Chakotay informed me many times and in many ways that he enjoyed my company in ways intellectual, emotional, and physical. I found him to be quite passionate and did my best to reciprocate in appropriate ways.

"I am not unaware of the need for variety in such things and made several offers of 'kinks' as they are described online, many of which he found intriguing and we attempted while others we both found disturbing and unlikely to be enjoyed. He assured me that my proficiency was not in question."

"I don't doubt it. You are indeed very attractive and I think that many people would be quite happy to be with you. I'm sure you know that many people have heard the story of Voyager and we have fans."

"Yes. It can be quite disturbing at times. I am sure many of them are lovely people, but as a mob they can be quite intimidating. Kim seems to enjoy it."

"Again, individuals."

"There seem to be a near infinite number of things about me or another person which could cause such emotional blocks and conflicts. Yet I have observed that such things are almost instinctively overcome. Given both our obvious compatibility and shared history. Biologically we are fit for reproduction. Yet Diana Troi indicated she thought that I might solve my quandary by interacting with you."

"I suspected as much," Janeway said sliding her legs over the side of the chair to face Seven.

"You feel you recognize what the problem is?"

"I have a theory. Or at least I did. When you started dating Chakotay I assumed I was wrong. I thought you made a great couple too."

Sitting up to mirror Janeway's stance she said, "I would very much like to hear this theory."

"Well it's like this. Among the Borg they understand reproduction. Being genetically compatible, the proper gender required to reproduce, and so forth. It's strictly a process like affixing a plug. A function. As long as they are physically compatible nothing else matters and an offspring gets produced.

"Some species, particularly pretty much every species on Earth that has gender, do not operate that way. Tell me Seven when you were researching did you come across nonstandard sexual orientation?"

"Yes. In various percentages based on species those with two or more gender often have a group among them that do not conform to the standards of the vast majority of the species. It can be caused by genetic factors, social factors, or personal bias and preference. Some societies accept this while others are vehemently, even violently, opposed to such relationships." She blinked. "You are saying that you believe that I am homosexual."

"Let's say that I am suggesting you might be."

"I have had no overt signs of such. Would I not know?"

"Not necessarily. As you say you have very little experience with such things. In fact if our lives were some sort of book I would think that your and Chakotay's relationship might have to do with an author specifically trying to keep you from being thought of as gay. They did that a few centuries ago before they got past the bigotry." She shrugged. "I have to admit that for quite some time I suspected you might be gay."

"You never mentioned it."

"It's considered rude to speculate unless the other person brings it up. You were freshly freed from the Borg, you had several relationships with men, and it was not my business. As you said, I had my own relationship issues among other problems and butting in on other people's love lives was not something I had an interest in unless it resulted in us almost dying, which it did a few times."

"So why would Diana Troi send me to you, rather than explaining this herself?"

"Well, I don't want to seem presumptuous but there was a second part to my theory and it would explain that in particular. I did suspect at certain points that you possibly had a crush… on… me."

"Crush?" She frowned. "I am unsure. What are the signs of a crush?"

"Uh, it varies. It generally means that you are attracted to that person, but they may be unaware of it or not feel the same way. If they do feel that way then you go from there, discuss it and start dating. If not it can be devastating, which is why it's called a crush. A lot of times people just assume the worst and do not act on it. Or they do not understand the feelings and simply have no idea how to proceed. I kind of thought you were in the second category and wanted to give you time to decide what you wanted to do."

"I see." Janeway let her process the thought. "And had I approached you with romantic intent, would you have responded positively or rejected my advances?"

Rubbing the back of her head Janeway puffed out her cheeks. "I don't know. As you know the relationships I did have were complicated. And I have never dated a woman. I am not unaware that women can be very beautiful and I have thought about it, but the time never seemed right. One thing or another and…"

"And you were afraid it would make you uncomfortable."

"Exactly."

"But by your logic, proper relationships are supposed to be slightly uncomfortable as each person adjusts to the other and unexpected situations."

"That's true."

"Perhaps there is a reason your relationships have also malfunctioned." She leaned closer. "Admiral… Kathryn. I admit I had not considered any of what you said. Some of it I think maybe I knew instinctively. Other parts came as a complete surprise and I do not feel I wholly understand it. Much of it makes little logical sense, even under scrutiny, though experience tells me that things do not have to be logical to be true.

"I do know that since meeting you, you have been right about many things. I have been very certain at times in direct conflict with your assertions and with few exceptions have found that you are often right. I am also used to accepting new and strange information. Relationships especially. It seems likely to me that if you suspect that my problem is one of misplaced sexual orientation then you are likely correct. Especially since it seems to be verified by my former lover, a competent computerized doctor, and Starfleet's premier counselor. Arguing against it would be an act of denial."

"I appreciate your faith in me Seven, but true or not, this is not something you can just accept at face value. I never mentioned it before for a reason. It could be something else. I could be wrong and if I am it could cause you problems later if you act a certain way or seek out love on just my recommendation."

"That is obvious. However as you said, I must experiment. I was unaware of any love until it found me. I learned hate and jealousy and fear. I find your theory intriguing but also slightly fear inducing. For example suppose I am indeed a lesbian? That would indicate that I am indeed capable of deep emotional bonds. It would imply that I have physical needs and desires that Chakotay was physically incapable of meeting regardless of proficiency or desire on the part of either of us.

"Also if you are right then there is a certain emotional depth that I have not reached. That idea terrifies me. I have felt things that have nearly destroyed me. The idea of such a relationship is terrifying. Yet I also fear never having one." She looked down. "It would seem to match up almost exactly with the facts as you presented them. I must also admit you were right about another thing. I have no idea what I am supposed to do." She looked back up. "Please, help me."

Janeway looked at Seven and saw a tear fall from one eye. She remembered how very like a daughter the girl had been. Barely more than a child when they met, though possessing an obviously developed body and even a fine mind. It was only general knowledge the girl lacked and that had been filled in. She had been so proud like any mother watching her child's first steps, as Seven-of-Nine had recovered her humanity. Not always as Janeway expected or even liked. There was still much of the Borg about her and in many ways always would be.

Yet what she had lacked was also not exactly as a child would. Any more than any other person from another culture was. a klingon warrior unaware of Earth traditions and ways was not a child. And neither was Seven. She was merely naïve and these days was beyond the need for maternal care. Now she was asking for something else. She needed Kathryn Janeway to be her rescuer one more time.

And Janeway had to admit, that vulnerable naivety was kind of a turn on.

Seven was an adult. More than that she was inhumanly strong and smart and could rip Janeway's arms from their sockets if she wanted. Nothing could happen that she did not allow.

Janeway eased off her chair and onto Seven's, feeling the sides of their bodies press together as she did. Seven's outfit was sturdy, but soft and left little to the imagination. Janeway saw the younger woman's eyes flicker to her, pausing for several seconds on her cleavage and legs.

"Do you still find me attractive Seven? I am somewhat older than you."
"I don't know."

"But you want to find out?" She nodded. "Okay then." Janeway reached over and brushed her fingers through Seven's gold hair, leaning in and kissing her softly on the cheek. Then the chin. Seven was as still as a statue as her former captain kissed the corner of her mouth. "Look at me Seven."

"I can't move…" She whispered, her lisp barely flickering.

Smiling Kathryn reached around and placed a gentle hand on her other cheek, applying light pressure and making Seven turn. Their eyes met and she just stared. A woman could get lost in those eyes. If anyone knew about getting lost in some far off corner of infinity it was Kathryn Janeway. Was she ready for that again? It would be so much harder to come back from this.

Ready or not Seven suddenly unfroze and grabbed the back of Janeway's head. With a soft cry she mashed their lips together in a fearful way. Like a child racing up to slap the rump of a targ on a dare. She had grabbed the tiger by the tail and now was too frightened to let go.

By the prophets, as the Bajorans liked to say. It felt wonderful. Ignoring her earlier hesitation Janeway pushed back, opening her mouth and forcing apart Seven's lips. As their tongues touched she felt a small piece of metal, round and cool and maybe tingling just s bit with power. Like a piercing. Or maybe another implant. Wrapping her arms around Seven and pushing her back into the chair Janeway felt the metallic point and wondered what it would be like to feel the others. She imagined licking her way over the metal crescent around Seven's eye and sucking on her fingers, her teeth clicking on something or other. She was curious to run her hands over that young eager body and feel where flesh and metal marched.

Lying on top of Seven she realized the Borg girl was wrapped around her. They were both breathing heavily and smiling hugely. Seven said in that husky voice of hers that suddenly made Janeway's insides quiver with lust, "The evidence to support your theory is mounting quickly."

"Speaking of mounting…" Janeway jerked her hips driving her lower half against Seven's body.

"Ah!"

Smiling Janeway kissed her again and pulled away, smiling as Seven tried to follow with pursed lips. "Of course this is going to take a lot of research. In a controlled environment. Lots of, experiments. Hands on…" She slid a hand down Seven's back and gave her rump a squeeze. The girl gasped as if she had never been touched like that before. So eager and responsive. It made Janeway feel powerful and sexy. "God you're sexy."

"Kathryn…" Seven moaned. "Your skin is so warm." She ran her hand up and down Janeway's tanned arms.

Getting up Kathryn stood up and extended a hand. "Come on Seven. We can finish this in my bedroom. Something tells me you'll be more than passionate enough for me."

Seven hesitated, her fingers linking with the other woman's. "What if I'm not? What if I disappoint you too?"

Janeway smiled and helped her stand up. She kissed Seven on her metallic eye ridge and smiled. "Seven believe me, you have never disappointed me. Though I have some of the same fears. But don't worry." She reached up and gently squeezed one of Seven's breasts with her free hand making the girl's eyes bulge. "I have every intention of doing my very best and no doubts that you will too." She licked her lips. "Besides, if I think you are holding back, I will do whatever it takes to help you get past any blocks. Even if I have to tie you to the bed."

Gulping nervously Seven smiled. "Really?"

"I may even do that anyway." And possibly for the first time ever, a borg bit her lip in nervous anticipation.

The End?

Author's Note

I have thought that Janeway and Seven were a good couple for a while. If it were made today since shows like Arrow, Legend of Korra, Steven Universe, and more have had openly lesbian character the two would have had a fling if nothing else. It might involve aliens lowering their inhibitions or just a little extra replicated wine, but I can't imagine you'd have the same set up and the same number of episodes and at least one of them would not involve those two kissing and possibly waking up spooning. Sexy older woman and young naïve girl.

Of course I could be wrong. I'm hardly the first to feel this way but some of the actors and creators have vehemently denied any such thing between Seven and Janeway. Of course the fact that they felt that they HAD to publicly deny it says something too. And I'll admit I do tend to see lesbian relationships in places where the creators might not have intended it. Just check out my other fan fics and see for yourself. Try The Pink Pearl to see how easy it can be for the mind to go in certain directions.

Then again these days they also happen. My Little Pony, Harley Quinn, horror movies, superhero movies, comics… what was once fan fiction becomes canon pretty regularly these days and new Star Trek series pop up every few years. I think Picard just got a new one and I could see him swinging by some resort planet and just finding or even casually walking by Janeway and Seven making out on a beach towel in the background. Or an animated Star Trek series (besides Disney's Gargoyles). Something online. A comic. Japanese manga. A complete remake with new actresses less nervous about kissing on TV. Two nerdy girls in home made Star Trek costumes. I once saw knock offs of Next Gen on an episode of Night Court and while Frozen 2 let the shippers down SNL did their own version that did not.

Who knows what the future might bring? You know besides Gene Rodenbury.