I don't own Star Trek
They returned to the crew quarters on the Artifact to sleep and shower, as a young XB had remarked that she could smell them a mile away. Hugh reluctantly had to use a surgical knife to cut his old uniform off, as there was no hope of slipping it off over his cables. Even more embarrassing was when he needed help with the back of it and Elnor offered his help. But Elnor turned respectfully away when the job was done and it fell off. Hugh quickly kicked it aside and slipped into the stall.
He'd forgotten how good the hot water felt on his bare skin. His whole body seemed to relax, the knots in his muscles he didn't realize had been there loosening. His eyes closed and he let out a blissful sigh. It was not unlike the time, shortly after Lore's defeat, that he had discovered a hot spring complete with a small waterfall on the planet. He'd had full Borg implants then, but the water had still felt good on his face. Just as it did now, washing the layers of sweat and tears off his face. He was still shaken by what had happened just hours earlier. Five of his XBs now lay dead because He had helped Soji escape. At least that's what Narissa wanted him to believe. Really though, they were dead because she wanted to kill them. She enjoyed killing them. Enjoyed seeing him powerless to help them.
He wasn't powerless anymore. He could protect the entire Cube, his entire miniature Collective. He could heal them, he could block off their pain for them. He could comfort them and calm their fears. And they trusted him. That was how he chose to see it. It made his position of control over them easier to live with.
They were the reason he had decided to remain 'queen'. He did it for his XBs and for the drones still in stasis (well, they weren't in stasis anymore). He knew it was the only way he could guarantee their safety.
When he was done, he realized he'd forgotten a towel. Using one of his new prehensile cables, he swiped one off a rack and wrapped himself in it to go and face his next challenge: replicating something to wear.
Standard issue uniform pants fit him as they always had. The shirt would be a problem. How was he going to fit any shirt over his cables? As if in answer, information started flooding into him, and he almost laughed when he realized what was happening. He'd made a query, and his drones were responding with anything they could find that related to it. He picked out a file from one of them about temporary Borg implants. Essentially, they worked like ordinary clothes, but would rearrange around his cables. He sent it to the replicator and, though he knew it wouldn't have much effect, it made him feel good to thank the drone who had found the file.
By the time he was finished drying off and combing his hair out, the temporary implant piece was ready. He quickly slipped it on. It had long sleeves and it fit like his old uniform had, only lighter and, thanks to his own alterations, softer inside. It looked like his old Borg armor, minus the wires and tubes. He could feel the back shifting into place around the cables. Overall, it was actually quite comfortable.
Sleeping with Borg parts again wasn't that hard. Hugh was a side sleeper anyways, so they just spread out on the bed behind him. He sent the drones to their alcoves to regenerate as he lay down and pulled the covers over himself. He checked the ship's status; if they held their present course and speed, they would reach Nepenthe tomorrow. He set the course to put them in standard orbit immediately upon their arrival.
He woke up to find Seven and Elnor in the mess hall, a few XBs also there having replicated breakfast.
"You're up." Seven stated.
"I am." Hugh replied, "and I slept like a hibernating Horta. Probably from putting a cube full of drones to bed." Elnor laughed softly, while Seven remained emotionless.
"It's just necessity, Seven." Hugh said, "To make sure they are fully regenerated. I don't want them to starve."
"I've located where they most likely went." Was her answer, "The transporter is ready."
He stole a glance at Elnor, who shrugged as they stepped onto the transporter. Seven joined them after setting the coordinates. Hugh stationed a Borg drone at the console in case they needed to beam up. At his signal, the drone activated the transporter.
They rematerialized in a wooded area next to a large cabin just in time to see a child disappear into the house screaming for their parents. As they looked around, four adults came out.
"Elnor!" Picard came forward and embraced the Romulan, followed by a rather shy looking Soji. Another man and woman, who Picard referred to as Will and Deanna, also greeted Elnor. Then they all noticed Seven and repeated the process with her.
Finally their eyes fell on Hugh. But unlike the others, no one rushed to embrace him. Instead, they just stared at him in confusion and disbelief. He suddenly felt exposed and took to studying his feet, the cables from his back curling inward, as if trying to hide him. Finally, mercifully, Picard broke the silence.
"Hugh?" Picard approached him slowly, holding out his hands.
"Yes, Admiral...I am Hugh...Captain of the Artifact." He didn't know why he threw that last bit on there, but it seemed to work, as Picard embraced him for the second time with a smile.
"I'm so glad you're all right. Though clearly something has changed for you. But come, you can tell us about it over dinner." Picard guided him toward the others with an arm around his shoulders.