Dinners and Fates
Seven was surprised enough by the appearance of Commander Chakotay striding into astrometrics with a bag to fully turn from her work. "Commander, what can I do for you?"
"Actually, I'm here to do something for you." He set the bag down on the stairs leading to the viewing platform. "Am I correct in assuming you haven't had dinner yet?"
"You are correct."
"And you probably haven't taken a break all day."
"Correct again, Commander." She felt a blush creep up her cheeks at his attention.
"Then I'm here to order you to break for dinner. I even brought it with me to make it easy."
Seven hesitated.
"Come on, Seven, you must be hungry. Indulge me?"
It was impossible to not be affected by his attentions. No matter what she told Icheb, she was increasingly intrigued and attracted to Commander Chakotay. With more difficulty, she was gradually beginning to believe he felt the same… Not that she could tell Icheb he was right or she'd never live it down.
She nodded, following his example by moving to sit on the stairs. She watched him take out several containers and a few pieces of fruit. Done, he leaned back, making himself as comfortable as he could.
"So, how are your data filter enhancements going?"
Seven, surprised by his choice of topic, blinked.
Chakotay almost laughed out loud at her expression. "I do read the morning reports, Seven. Maybe not always as thoroughly as I should, but I get the gist at least."
"I didn't doubt you. As for your question, they will be complete tomorrow afternoon." She smirked. "Unfortunately, they will not result in fewer reports for you to read."
He chuckled. "You're heartless."
"I'll have the Doctor check that tomorrow."
"Weekly checkup?"
Seven nodded. "08:00 hours."
"I thought the Doctor had a tee time tomorrow morning."
"I believe he scheduled it for 06:00 hours."
"Ah." For a few minutes, they worked their way through the salad and casserole, falling into an amiable silence.
"Commander, why did you do this?" She gestured to the containers around them, but meant more than just that night's meal. Though Icheb thought Commander Chakotay's intentions were romantic and even Seven was beginning to feel so, she didn't like to guess. Guessing usually led to social faux pas for her.
"Chakotay," he reminded her. "Because I've enjoyed spending time with you."
"Oh."
"And…" He hesitated, but it was too late to stop now. She was looking at him expectantly. "And I was thinking it might be nice to continue spending more time together." He grimaced at his own awkwardness, but, true to form, Seven didn't comment on it, probably didn't even notice.
"Dating?"
He nodded, holding his breath.
"I would enjoy that."
"If you'd rather not, I'll understand."
Seven shook her head. He was not exactly like Axum and this was not like the fog of memories she had of Unimatrix Zero, but that was okay and somehow made it better. The unknown in this remarkable instance made her excited, not afraid. It was unexpected and it was real. Besides, she trusted the Commander. "I have enjoyed your company as well. You are an intriguing individual."
"Well, good. I feel the same way about you." Smiling a little at her phrasing, Chakotay relaxed back into his seat and they finished their meal, trying to make their conversation normal. It wasn't easy. Each of them was buzzing inside.
[Mess Hall]
Seven was notoriously elusive when it came to social events so Chakotay felt a little apprehension despite their enlightening conversation. There was no telling if she would get cold feet and back out. With that in mind, he thought of something for them to do together and he thought it up quick.
Neelix was, as usual, busy the next morning making the common breakfast fare and considering what he might organize for lunch and dinner. Usually he had everything planned out for the week, but if the resources existed for him to be creative with his plans, then nothing made him happier than to add and tinker with his own recipes and options. They had the resources and as a result, Neelix was happily humming as he contemplated added various peppers and spices to the meals.
"Ah, Commander, you're a little earlier than normal for breakfast." Neelix smiled, his infectious smile. He really was pleased that day to have free reign over Voyagers food stores.
"I wanted to ask if you're still planning to start up a cooking class."
"Oh," Neelix's eyebrows rose in surprise at this question. "I am, but I've been so busy that I don't have anything ready just yet."
"I see." That was a disappointment. Chakotay thought Seven would enjoy a cooking class. It would have been a perfect first date.
"But I'll be sure to tell you as soon as I get something organized."
"Thanks." Forcing a smile, Chakotay grabbed a piece of fruit and sat down with a cup of tea, fretting over what else to do for a date. He had never liked or been very good at traditional dating, a problem compounded by the fact that his dating had never been traditional. Even at Starfleet Academy his few girlfriends had been only flings or strong women who dragged him along on excursions that were more adventures than romances.
"Commander Chakotay."
Chakotay jumped a bit, not having heard Icheb approach. "Oh, good morning. Why don't you join me?"
Icheb sat. "May I ask you something?"
Chakotay swallowed hard. Did Icheb already know about his interest in Seven? How was he going to explain it to the young man? "Sure."
"I understand you joined Starfleet, but then joined the Maquis."
"That's right." Internally he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you glad you joined Starfleet when you did?"
"I haven't really thought about it."
"But if you had not joined Starfleet when you did, you would have been at a disadvantage when Voyager and your ship were brought to the Delta Quadrant."
"Yes, I suppose so. I was always glad I went to the Academy. I wouldn't have survived in the Maquis if I hadn't. Honestly," some old bitterness crept into his heart, but he pushed it away, "I would probably have died with my father and the rest of the colonists when the Cardassians attacked if I hadn't been with Starfleet."
"But you believe the knowledge and training you received was beneficial to your survival outside the unique circumstances?"
"Yes. No matter what else anyone might think of the organization, it is the best training you could ever hope for if you're interested in serving on a ship, especially a scientific and exploratory vessel. Why?"
"I am conducting research."
"Research for what?"
Icheb, unaccustomed to lying and not ready to admit his intention to apply for Starfleet, was grateful at that moment to have a distraction enter. The doors behind Commander Chakotay slid open to reveal four individuals. "Seven."
"Seven?" Chakotay, with his back to the doors, wondered what Seven had to do with these questions.
"Yes, Commander?"
For the second time that morning Chakotay jumped. "Seven!"
Polite enough to hide her smile at Commander Chakotay's surprise, Seven merely raised a brow at Icheb.
"I had some extracurricular activities to complete prior to breakfast," said Icheb to explain his absence when the others woke from regeneration. The nice thing about being a teenager under Seven's guardianship was that she didn't ask too many questions unless she felt it necessary. He could tell by her slight frown that she wasn't entirely satisfied with his answer, but she allowed him his privacy.
"Would you like to join me?" Chakotay gestured to the empty seats around him hopefully. He wasn't disappointed as Seven almost immediately nodded.
She turned to first help the children get their breakfasts, but Icheb stood.
"I will assist."
"Thank you, Icheb." Previously she had found his interference irritating, but now it was a definite benefit. It left her and the Commander alone, something she knew would be rare.
"I have to confess something." Chakotay leaned closer so they wouldn't be overheard. Seven inclined her head to indicate she was listening. "I don't know what to suggest for a first date."
Unable to help it, Seven smiled at this confession. Simple as it was, it made her feel better since the only things she could think of were what she remembered from the Doctor's lessons. That he was already planning a date made her heart thump with pleasant irregularity.
"What do you think of Sandrine's?"
Seven shook her head before she really even thought about it. It was the scene of the first and rather impressively disastrous only date of her life. It should have been irrelevant, but she knew being again at the scene of her humiliation would not bode well for them.
"Ever been to Montreal?"
"I have not." She thought a moment. "I believe the city is well known for its cuisine."
"Yes, they—"
"Senior officers to the briefing room." Janeway's voice interrupted over the comm.
They stood, Seven signalling to Icheb that he would be responsible for herding the others to their classes. Icheb nodded.
Chakotay waited until they were in the relative privacy of the turbolift before again broaching the subject of greatest interest to him. "So, Montreal."
"Dinner and sightseeing?"
"Sounds like a plan. You're free tomorrow night, aren't you?" It was asked more out of politeness since he knew the duty roster practically by heart.
"Yes." Seven blushed at his clear eagerness, her own anticipation of the event increasing the more she spent in his company. "That is acceptable. What time do you suggest?"
"I happen to have holodeck time for 17:00 hours."
"I will organize the dinner."
"It's a date." He smiled, gratified to see his happiness mirrored on her lovely face. In that moment, he knew without a doubt that they were right to pursue this. He didn't know how it would all work out, but he knew it would and that it would be a defining choice in his life.
The turbolift doors opened and they quickly made their way to the briefing room. Neither of them were usually the first ones to arrive, but they almost were that morning… except for Captain Janeway.
"Good morning." Cheerful and oblivious to what she had interrupted, Captain Janeway sipped her morning coffee and waited with excitement for the rest of her senior staff. On the PADD in front of her sat the night watch's reports, which contained news good enough for her to rouse a few people earlier than normal.
"Good morning." Chakotay sat in his usual spot at Janeway's right side, Seven across from him. He eyed the PADD, trying not to think too hard about Seven or their conversation, not with Kathryn next to him.
Janeway slid the PADD to Chakotay for him to peruse while they waited for the others to arrive.
"Dilithium?" Chakotay looked back at the PADD at Janeway's nod. "This much in one deposit?"
"It's promising and preliminary scans of the planet suggest extensive flora. We might be able to collect enough to keep us going for a few months."
"Is there any suggestion the area is claimed?" Seven eyed the PADD. The area had not been extensively explored by the Borg or those assimilated during the time of Seven's existence in the Collective.
"Nothing so far. Everything's been pretty sparse for awhile now."
Seven nodded. It was true. They had not interacted with any other species for almost a month. If anyone had ever inhabited the area, they were long gone and even the Borg did not know of them.
In only a few minutes the room filled and Captain Janeway explained the findings made by the night crew. Her excitement proved infectious.
"Months of full stores?" B'Elanna didn't need any follow up to such an incredulous statement.
"This suggests two deposits in the system," Harry pointed out. "Would we roll the dice on which one to mine first or…"
"This won't be any two-day enterprise," said B'Elanna. "If these readings are accurate, we'll need a full week to get what we want from both planets."
"Yes, which is why I was going to suggest Commander Chakotay take an away team to the secondary deposit and collect what he can while Voyager mines the richer planet."
Chakotay gave a quick nod at this proposed plan, but sighed to himself. According to the information on the PADD, they'd arrive at the first planet late the next day, which meant his date with Seven would likely be postponed.
Tasks were assigned, timelines decided on and away team members were chosen by Janeway, who failed to notice Seven and Chakotay glance at each other when she recommended Seven be part of the small team. At their dismissal, they all dispersed, but Chakotay took the opportunity to follow Seven to astrometrics under the pretense of planning their mission.
Alone in the turbolift, Seven could neither miss nor ignore the definite tension in Chakotay's frame. Despite the good news of finding such a rich deposit of resources, he seemed upset and she knew why. Missing their date was a disappointment to her too, but she thought she knew a way to rectify that.
"I'm sorry about the bad timing," said Chakotay. He faced her to say more, but she cut him off.
"I conducted some research last night."
"Research?"
Seven nodded. "A common problem for new couples is that they place too much pressure on themselves."
"Do you think we're doing that?" Given that their interactions so far had been remarkably pleasant and casual, Chakotay wasn't so sure about her theory.
"You are overthinking, placing too much pressure on a single event. We both need to consume nutrition this evening."
"Yes." He wasn't sure where she was going with this.
"If we have dinner together in the mess, would that not count as a date?"
Chakotay began smiling in surprised pleasure. "You want to move up our date?"
"I don't see why we can't." She blushed a little. "It is that or we can wait until after we return to Voyager."
"The mess tonight it is then."
"Good."
The turbolift doors opened and they made their way to astrometrics. It was empty as Icheb was in one of his classes and only Seven was scheduled to work in the lab that morning.
"However, there is something we should discuss first," Seven said once the doors closed safely behind them.
"What's that?"
"It is against regulations for couples to be on away missions together. Should we suggest a replacement for one of us or advise the Captain?"
Chakotay thought about it and though he knew he'd probably get his hand slapped if anyone found out, his desire to spend time with Seven won out. "No, it's not as though we've been dating for months. Besides, do you want to stay on Voyager?"
She smiled at him. "No, I would prefer to participate in this mission."
"Is it just the opportunity to mine dilithium that has you so eager to go?" He leaned against the console, his grin widening when her own smile turned teasing.
"No."
He shifted a little closer. "Oh? What is it you're so interested in then?"
"Preventing Neelix from collecting more leola root."
Laughing, Chakotay had to concede that was a very good reason for her to go. Their team would actually include the Talaxian for the specified reason of collecting what he could for their food stores. If Seven could run her scans and keep an eye on him, she would more than earn her place.