"Seven, wait."
She halted in the corridor, sighing at the familiar voice. This was apparently not going to be an easy day. "Commander."
He smiled at first. "We keeping things professional today?"
"Yes, Commander."
The smile faded. There was no humour in her expression. "What is it? Have I done something to upset you?"
"No."
"Then what's wrong?"
"Nothing." She prepared to start walking again, but he took her arm in a firm grip, not aggressive, but firm.
"Seven, I'm not an idiot. What is going on? Is this about the other night? If I did something wrong, I want you to tell me."
That he would automatically assume the problem was his own actions – as though they could ever have been anything other than pleasurable – just made it harder to brush him off. The mechanical sound was back. Only by taking a deep breath and closing her eyes was she able to find some control again.
"Seven?" He watched her calm herself and grew more concerned and more determined to get to the bottom of her behavior. "Seven, talk to me."
There was nothing to do but tell him the truth, or enough of it to end the conversation. "The Doctor has suggested until he finishes his diagnostic on my cortical node, that I avoid physical intimacy."
"That's it?" He was doubtful, but had a ready answer. "Well, that's fine. We can still have dinner together. I hear Neelix is making ravioli tonight."
It was difficult not to roll her eyes at his persistence.
He could see the refusal before she said a word and tried to pre-empt it. "I promise to be a gentleman."
"You have always been a gentleman," she assured him automatically. The truth was she didn't think she could control herself. Would she be able to resist touching his hand, kissing him good night? More importantly, would she be able to resist wanting to? She already knew the answer. And yet… "My shift ends at 18:00 hours."
"Good. I'll meet you at astrometrics." He moved as though to kiss her, but then thought better about it, remembering his promise. Seven, however, closed the gap on her own for a quick, sweet peck.
Despite her fear that her cortical node would react to her decision, it remained quiet and without pain. She supposed that the peaceful relief and simple happiness that settled on her at the prospect of still being able to see Chakotay and share a few simple embraces was not a strong enough emotion to cause her cortical node to malfunction.
It would either be a very good discovery, or a very bad one.
[Corridor]
Dinner went well enough, but the whole time Seven could feel the desire for something more intimate, and sense the same in him. It was torture to sit so close and yet feel so disconnected.
Icheb joined them, as did Naomi Wildman and Ensign Samantha Wildman. It made for a more dynamic conversation and a lot less flirting.
When they parted ways, alone in the corridors, his kiss lingered. He sighed, wanting more and Seven felt cruel to be the one to stifle his passion.
"I have to go."
Chakotay teased one last kiss from her. "I know."
This can't continue. She turned back to watch his retreating form and sighed, wishing she were fully human and not this hybrid mishmash caught between worlds.
The doors slid closed, cutting off the brighter light of the corridor, bathing her only in the dark and green glow of the Borg regeneration units.
Seven prepared a few things for the next day and was just getting ready to regenerate when the Doctor entered the cargo bay. She could tell by his hesitant approach what he'd come to discuss.
"Doctor. You've come to deliver unpleasant news."
"Is it that obvious?" Of course it is, he thought. He'd been stewing over it for hours, rechecking his data in the hope he was wrong.
"My cortical node?"
"I've completed my diagnostic. What you experienced was no malfunction. Your cortical node was designed to shut down your higher brain functions when you achieve a certain level of emotional stimulation."
"Clarify," she demanded, already taking refuge behind Borg dialect. It didn't help the pain in her chest, in her heart, but it helped her put on a brave face.
"It appears to be a fail-safe mechanism to deactivate drones who start to regain their emotions. Knowing the Borg, it makes perfect sense." He was only surprised it wasn't set to be more sensitive. "Finding one's heart is the surest road to individuality.
"I'm no longer linked to the hive mind and I have experienced strong emotions before."
"The technology's built into your node. It simply remained dormant, until now." Lying unspoken was that not too long ago Seven had received a new node, one that had belonged to Icheb, who had not yet tested the limits of his emotional reactions. Though he hadn't checked yet, the Doctor suspected the programming wasn't in her original node, making Icheb an unwitting Trojan horse yet again.
"Can you repair me?"
"Possibly." He was quick to offer a patch. "I've been thinking about a way to reconfigure the micro-circuitry."
Reconfiguration, removal, bypassing… It's always going to be something.
"I won't lie to you, Seven. It would entail multiple surgeries and the recovery might be difficult, but I believe we could eventually succeed."
This is inefficient, a waste of time, she thought, considering a lifetime of endless surgeries ahead of her. Still, she could have perhaps managed that if it weren't for her consideration of Chakotay's wellbeing.
He doesn't deserve this. Chakotay deserved a partner who didn't require constant maintenance like a faulty replicator, someone who didn't require social lessons or practice dealing with social situations. He was a good man who didn't deserve to be tainted by association to her past misdeeds or have his future blackened by her Borg and human imperfections.
What if we go through all this trouble and it doesn't work?
"I'll prepare the surgical bay. We can begin tomorrow morning." The Doctor was eager, gathering steam for the idea with her continued silence.
"No." I'm not human, never will be and I should stop pretending otherwise.
The Doctor went to her, worried by her frozen, stiff stance. "Without it, you won't be able to continue your relationship with the Commander."
"I understand." She set the commands for her regeneration cycle. She took refuge in action, pushing aside the painful thoughts that threatened her sanity.
"Listen, I know this is a blow, but it doesn't have to be a step backwards."
"How many?"
"Pardon?"
"How many surgeries will I require in my lifetime? How many malfunctions and setbacks will I have to go through? It is a strain on me, but the Commander should not have to endure it as well. It is unethical to ask it of him. If I do not have the surgery, I will remain within appropriate limits." I will not be tempted to continue the relationship and he can move on, find someone more suitable.
"That's the Borg in you talking. I know you don't believe that. As your physician, as your friend I'm asking you to let me proceed."
"I need to regenerate."
"Seven—"
Since she had no quarters and no bedroom door to slam, she cut him off the only way she could, by stepping into her alcove and falling into her regeneration cycle.
Her last thought before she gave in to oblivion was that what she'd told the Doctor would be easier said than done. She knew she owed Chakotay some sort of explanation and that it would have to be in person.
[Chakotay's Quarters]
Having had a late shift the next day, Chakotay was surprised to have his door chime. He was even more surprised to have Seven enter. He was, however, far from disappointed. His exhaustion forgotten at the sight of her, he stood with a smile. "I didn't expect to see you tonight. Come in. Can I get you a drink?"
"No, thank you." She glanced away, finding it hard to look at him straight on. "I just came to speak with you, to thank you."
"Thank me?" His smile faded. Something was wrong. She was entirely too formal, stood too stiffly and had the same cold look she used to have when first disconnected from the Collective. He moved forward to meet her. She remained close to the door.
"The past few months have been memorable."
"To say the least." He smiled, hoping her stance would soften or that she would look him in the eye. She did neither. Alarmed, he reached for her hand, but she moved away. "You're ending this."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It is best for both of us."
"Seven, the past few months have been an important step forward for both of us. Don't throw that away." Realization struck him. "What did the Doctor say?"
"It is irrelevant. Our relationship cannot continue."
"If his diagnosis is what's making you think we shouldn't be together, then it's completely relevant. What did he say?"
"I'm sorry, Commander." She tried to back away, knowing if she told him the full truth he would continue to argue.
"You're making a mistake."
"No, I'm trying to correct one." She again tried to move away, but his voice was like a siren's, demanding her response, her attention, her heart to tug in his direction.
"Ask yourself why you want to end this," he said, gathering steam as he spoke. "Every time you move closer to your emotions, you back away. You're afraid of being too human, too vulnerable. I understand that, but don't you see how wonderful it can be too?"
"Yes, it can be... Our relationship was an error in judgement on both our parts."
"An error? Seven, we enjoy each others company, make each other happy, don't we?"
Seven hesitated, wishing to deny it so as to end the conversation quicker, but she was not in the habit of lying. "Yes."
"Then it wasn't an error. Being happy isn't a glitch in programming, it's something we all strive for every day. What would possibly make you think it's a problem."
"I've let my emotions control me, cloud my judgement and control my actions." Indeed, hadn't she already allowed this conversation to carry on too long just because she wanted to spend more time before terminating the relationship, perhaps even be talked out of it? "For both our sakes, I cannot allow that to continue."
"Control you?" She turned to leave, but halted as he spoke, giving him hope. "Seven, you started to date, not throw temper tantrums. I think you're afraid that embracing your humanity will make you weak, less than perfect. But think about what you stand to gain."
"It's irrelevant." Her voice cracked just saying it.
"No, it's not," he said, pushing away the initial assumption she meant he was irrelevant. Chakotay knew this was about something more than him. "Real intimacy with another person? Nothing's more relevant."
The whirling of her cortical node, now a well-known warning, sounded louder than ever.
"I have to go."
"Stay." He moved forward swiftly to take hold of her arms, not forceful, but enough to make her stop. "Talk to me, Seven!"
"I can't function this way!" She threw his hands off and turned away.
"What way? Being happy?" He peered closely at her, his darkened gaze pleading with her to think better of her decision. "I love you, Seven. You can't pretend our time together doesn't matter. Didn't it mean anything to you?"
"It's irrelevant." She headed for the door.
"Damnit, Seven!" He followed her, pulling her back from the door in a burst of temper. He didn't shout, but it was close. His eyes, normally so soft and easy to show warmth, were dark and frightening in his frustration. "You're not a drone anymore, you're human. If our relationship isn't relevant, then what is?"
"You are!" She snapped, the pain in her head was almost equal to the one in her heart now, making it difficult to think, nearly impossible to audit the words coming from her mouth. All that mattered was making him stop so she could escape, even if she spoke the truth. "I can't hurt you this way."
"You're hurting me now."
"It'll hurt you more to be with me!" The sound had reached its peak. This was the end, she was sure. Seven closed her eyes, feeling her implants respond to the cortical node's commands to shut down.
"Seven?" Chakotay could see electricity sparking over her optical implant again. He grabbed Seven's falling body before she hit anything and lowered her to the floor, calling for a medical transport to sickbay as he did so.
[Sickbay]
Before she even opened her eyes, she knew where she was. The firm surface of the sickbay bed was as familiar to her as her alcove. Voices. There were two voices above her, both raised in anger, but they didn't seem to be arguing. Curious.
"…surgery."
"I can't. She already refused."
"Tell the Captain, force her. It's endangering her life!"
"You think I don't know that? The problem is it's only endangering her life under a single circumstance."
A sigh.
"We can't let this continue."
"I know."
"For her own sake—"
"I know."
"Can't you talk to her?"
"I tried. I told her this was dangerous, but she won't listen to me."
Seven opened her eyes and the voices stopped. She looked around and nearly groaned. Chakotay and the Doctor were next to her, peering down with a mixture of concern and frustration.
"How long have I been here?"
"Just long enough for the Doctor and me to have an enlightening conversation," said Chakotay. He looked less than pleased.
She sat up, doing what she always did when confronted: immediately put up her shields and attacked. "I was unaware that my medical files were open for public viewing."
"Don't you dare." Chakotay spoke calmly, but with an edge to it she'd never heard before. He wasn't just angry she'd kept yet another medical condition from. This was something else. "This isn't about confidentiality. It's about your safety and about you lying—"
"I didn't lie."
"—withholding important information," Chakotay switched with impatience. He turned to the Doctor. "Would you excuse us?"
"Fine, but warn me if that failsafe starts to activate," he said to Seven. As jealous as he was of the Commander, he knew the chances of convincing Seven to go through with the surgery were infinitely better if Chakotay was the one arguing the point. It was a hard thing for his ego to concede, but for Seven, he managed it.
"You know, I would have thought we'd be past this," Chakotay said when the Doctor was out of earshot. He ran a hand through his hair. "When your cortical node was failing, hiding your condition didn't help and it's not helping now. I thought we agreed to talk to one another, to not keep secrets."
"The Doctor told you about the surgery."
"I wish it could have come from you," he said, still in that disturbingly calm tone. Seven finally identified it as hurt. She'd hurt him by keeping her secret. She looked away.
"I'm sorry I hurt you."
"Why? Why did you keep it from me?"
"I knew you would have argued to allow the Doctor to proceed."
"Damn right I would have, and I will." He took a deep breath, calming himself. "Why don't you want to remove the failsafe?"
"It is—"
"If you say it's irrelevant, I swear I'll give you double shifts in the mess for a month."
"Because the failsafe will ensure I remain within required boundaries."
"What boundaries? I don't understand."
"It is inappropriate for me to continue in a relationship with you."
"But why?" Attempting to follow her logic and evasive answers felt like a child trying to understand the universe. He tried to prepare for any answer, but he was still surprised by her hushed confession.
"There will always be something to be repaired or removed, some risky surgery to repair a faulty component. It is better for you if we end this relationship before either of us becomes too attached and suffers for it."
"Seven…" He was at a loss.
"I will not be the cause of further discord in your life." She forced back a sob. "You shouldn't have to suffer because of me."
"Seven, anything could happen to either of us. That's the uncertainty of everyone's future. Besides, you're assuming you're not worth a little bit of heartache." He placed his hands softly on her upper arms, rubbing as he tried to sway her. "You don't want me to suffer, but the worst hurt is when I'm not with you."
Seven shook her head, but he didn't give her the chance to argue.
"Yes, it's true." He smiled as she finally raised her eyes to his. "I'm a selfish being, Seven, and I love you more than I thought possible. You're stuck with me until you can come up with a better argument."
Seven allowed him to draw her closer, the whirring of her cortical node a faint warning. "Your career—"
"We're in the Delta Quadrant. How far up the chain do you think I'm going without murdering the Captain?"
"You deserve—"
"Who I want. I want you, regardless of what you think of yourself."
"Commander—"
"Chakotay," he corrected. "Please, let the Doctor operate." He sighed. This was the real argument, the ultimate truth of the situation. "Forget doing it for me. You need to do it for yourself, so you can be happy. Don't let the Borg win."
[Sickbay]
Seven woke slowly, wincing in pain at the bright lights.
"How do you feel?"
Sound was muffled, making it difficult to tell what the person was saying, let alone who it was who spoke. Her body felt heavy, her limbs too burdensome to lift, and her head throbbed as though someone put a spike through it.
"Seven?" The Doctor, concerned by her lack of response, ran a tricorder over her. Chakotay stood on the other side of the bed, watching with a frown. "Seven?"
A small groan was all she could manage.
"Doctor?" Chakotay found his voice, though it was heavy with strain.
"She's all right, just not yet adapted to the change in circuitry."
Chakotay nodded, his jaw locked in worry.
"I don't want to give her too much anesthetic or it'll be harder for her body to adapt to the changes. She'll have to come out of this naturally." He restrained a sigh. "You can stay with her if you like."
Chakotay nodded, already forgetting the Doctor's presence as he leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead.
"Chakotay?" Her eyes still refused to adjust fully and her head ached to a degree beyond her description, but she felt her brain slowly adapt to the pain, the lights, and the noise. As she acclimatized, she began to recognize the two voices around her.
"I'm here." He looked up, wordlessly asking for privacy. The Doctor sighed irritably, but headed for his office. Chakotay turned his attention back to Seven, who gazed blearily up at him. "How do you feel?"
"Damaged."
"I know, I'm sorry. The Doctor says he can't give you anything more."
Seven tried to nod at this since speaking was laborious, but the movement only made her head hurt more.
Seeing her discomfort, Chakotay pressed another kiss to her forehead. "Try to rest. You'll feel better after some sleep."
Since it was already so difficult to keep her eyes open, staring at the lights, Seven let them drift shut and soon fell into slumber. Chakotay, who had quietly obtained leave from Janeway in order to be with Seven, settled into a chair at her bed. The lights were dimmed for Seven's benefit, but there was still enough light as Chakotay opened a book his sister had once recommended to him and began to read.
[Corridor]
Tom chased down his friend, too eager for his mail to wait for the official delivery. "There he is, the man of the hour."
Harry was not fooled by Tom's flattery, but he was too tired to play the game. "You sure are in a good mood."
"Well," there was no point dancing around the truth, "rumour has it you snared the latest data stream last night."
Harry took another swig of coffee. It didn't really help replace the sleep he'd lost, but it was better than nothing. "Technically, it was this morning. 02:00 hours, to be exact."
"So, where's my mail, hmm?" He nudged his friend good-naturedly. "Oh, don't tell me you lost another one."
Harry heaved an exasperated sigh. He was tired of this line of teasing, having heard it from almost every member of the crew for the past month. "It's not my fault. I didn't lose last month's data stream. It never arrived."
"So, what's the hold up this time?"
"The transmission was a little larger than usual. It's jammed the transceivers. Seven and I have been up all night trying to download it."
There was a time when Tom would have harassed Harry to no end about spending all night with Seven, but he was simply too eager for his mail to follow that line of teasing. "Harry, we can't go another month without mail."
"Oh, you won't." Harry was smug. "Trust me."
[Astrometrics]
Harry was impatient to have his promise vindicated. He turned to Seven eagerly. "Any luck?
Seven still had a bit of a headache from her first surgery, which was not helped by the late night of work. As a result, she was not in the mood to be pestered and replied stiffly. With a huff of irritation, she pulled up the information. "I've determined why we've been having difficulties."
"A hologram." Harry brushed off his co-worker's grumpy tone. He was aware she'd had some sort of medical procedure and assumed she was still feeling the effects of it. Besides, her sometimes tough personality had never bothered him. "The transceiver wasn't designed to store photonic data. We have to get it out of there before it degrades."
Seven watched him take over a console with alarm. "What are you doing?"
"Tying the transceiver into the holodeck's pattern buffer."
Humans. "Those systems aren't compatible. You'll depolarise the relays," she said, aware he already knew that.
"Starfleet wouldn't have sent this hologram if it weren't important," he said with certainty. He didn't look at her as he said this, but even if he had, her withering look would have had no effect on him. "I'm sure it's worth a few burnt-out relays."
Seven wasn't so sure, but an explosion prevented her response.
"You've overloaded the transceiver."
Harry couldn't care less about the transceiver, his spirits too elevated by his success. No more teasing about losing the mail! "But I saved the hologram."
Seven rolled her eyes again. Humans.
[Holodeck]
Captain Janeway answered Ensign Kim's summons to go to the holodeck with no small amount of curiosity. He had sounded so pleased and she was as eager as anyone else for her mail that she immediately left her ready room. As the doors slid open for her and she saw his co-worker, she missed a step. "Seven."
The former drone nodded, not unwelcoming despite Janeway's hesitancy. With her headache, Seven didn't even notice Janeway's misstep.
"How are you feeling?"
"I am mostly functional, Captain."
Harry was so excited, he practically bounced on his toes. He didn't notice the strange greeting at all. "Okay, ready when you are."
A press of a button and a man's figure appeared. It was Janeway who recognized him first.
"Lieutenant Barclay?"
The hologram ducked his head humbly. "Um, no, but he did design me. I'm a walking, talking, problem-solving interactive hologram. You can call me Reg."
"It's nice to meet you, Reg." Janeway greeted the hologram with amazement at his creation and his ability to be there.
"The pleasure's mine, Captain. Harry, Seven. I've been looking forward to working with you."
Harry was surprised, but flattered. Seven, somewhat skeptical, just raised a brow. "You have?"
"I know you were expecting letters from your friends and families," he spread his hands apologetically, "but with any luck, in a few days you'll be seeing them in person. In three day's time, Voyager is going to be passing through grid eight nine eight, a sector of space occupied by a red giant star."
Janeway remembered it distinctly as it was the cause of her unusual reaction upon entering the holodeck and seeing Seven moments before. The sector had initially been a small part of Icheb's morning report while he was covering for Seven, but the star had quickly interested the crew. "Sensors detected it a few days ago."
"At this very moment, a team of Federation scientists is orbiting another red giant in the Alpha Quadrant. In seventy-two hours, they will target its magnetic field with a verteron beam, creating a geodesic fold. As a result, a corresponding fold will open here in the magnetic field of the red giant that Voyager is approaching. Space will be punctured at these two points, creating a gateway between the Quadrants."
"Our shields are useless against geodesic radiation," said Janeway. "We toyed with the idea of opening a fold ourselves, but it didn't take us long to realise we wouldn't survive the trip."
They had more than toyed with the idea; Janeway had gone so far as to enter a shouting match with Chakotay and the Doctor when she suggested Seven assist with the research. Her relationship with Chakotay was still somewhat strained. Seven had still been confined to sickbay and then her alcove at that point. The only reason Janeway had stooped to ask was due to almost hourly pleas by the crew that they investigate fully. Janeway's suggestion had not gone over well with Chakotay and she'd lost the argument without much regret. Though he was normally very calm and level-headed, his extreme reaction hadn't been unexpected. With Seven incapacitated and Voyager experiencing a hectic week in general, the Commander's stress level had been extreme.
The hologram of Reg smiled. "A lot has happened in geodesic research since you've been gone. I've brought schematics for shield upgrades to deflect the radiation from the fold, and medical technology to provide additional protection for the crew. We've thought of everything."
The rest of the room's occupants glanced at each other a little uncertainly at that. His pitying tone made it perfectly clear what he thought about their situation. Not only were they stranded, they were falling behind in technology and research.
Seven was not convinced. "Starfleet never mentioned you in any of the previous data streams, nor have they mentioned geodesic research."
"Well, Lieutenant Barclay didn't want to raise your hopes in case the plan didn't live up to expectations, but lucky for you, it surpassed them."
And yet there was a nagging question Janeway wanted answered. "What about last month's data stream? Why didn't we receive it?"
"Pathfinder tried sending an unabridged version of my program. It overloaded the MIDAS array."
Harry nodded. This program of Reg was large enough. If a previous version had been larger, it certainly would have overloaded even Voyager's systems and still been impossible to download. "The only casualty this time was our transceiver."
"If everything goes according to plan, you won't need it anymore."
"We should still begin repairs," said Seven, her attention on Janeway.
"Oh, of course!" Reg hurried to agree. "It's always good to have things in operating condition."
"All right." Janeway nodded to Seven and Harry. "We'll get the rest of the details from Reg and then the transceiver is your priority."
[Briefing Room]
Reg pointed to the briefing room screen. Around the table the senior staff listened carefully, each with varying degrees of hope and skepticism. "This is our destination, red giant two three one three nine. The geodesic fold will open here, adjacent to the giant's northern pole. We'll have exactly sixteen seconds to take Voyager through."
"Reg has prepared a list of assignments," Janeway advised. Though she was still unsure about the success of the plan, hope pushed her onward the way it always had. "I expect you to give him your full cooperation."
"Mister Paris," said Reg handing out PADD's as he spoke, "you have the honour of plotting our course. Lieutenant Torres, Commander Tuvok, I'd like you to start working on shield modifications, and in the meantime, I've asked the Doctor to prepare a series of inoculations that will protect the crew from the radiation."
Chakotay, who had discussed the original discovery of the red giant and Janeway's dashed hopes for it, looked at Seven. "Is there anything you know of that might help us?"
"We should look into adding Borg technology to Starfleet's plan," she replied with a nod. "It could increase our chances of success."
"I look forward to hearing your thoughts," said Reg. Mindful of his programmed orders, his gaze lingered.
Chakotay, who happened to look up in time to see the turn of Reg's gaze, didn't like something about the expression on Reg's face, but he couldn't put a finger on why. Giving himself a shake, he turned his attention to Harry. "How long before the transceiver's back online?"
"About two hours," said Harry.
"Good. Then we'll still have time to transmit a response to Starfleet."
[Corridor]
While the rest of the senior staff filed away to complete their tasks, Chakotay put a guiding hand on her back and snuck Seven out of sight. She hadn't been on duty for even a week yet, but he couldn't help worrying about how she was doing. Just having the chance to talk to her privately calmed him, though.
"How do you feel about this plan? Really?" he asked.
"I am unsure. It is possible – probable even – that Starfleet's research in this field has become more advanced than ours."
"But?" He only asked to hear a confirmation of his own fears out loud.
"However, I do not doubt the reports we produced upon our initial discovery. Icheb's scans showed significant radiation and the Doctor confirmed it would be fatal. Voyager's systems are grossly insufficient to protect the crew."
Chakotay sighed. "I suppose we'll have to trust the Doctor to ensure these inoculations work."
"Indeed. The gravimetric shear will also be too extreme for Voyager to survive unless Starfleet's adaptations are extensive. I suggest reviewing the rest of the Starfleet instructions in full, or have Lieutenant Torres review them."
"That's a good idea." A quick glance around showed they were still alone, but he lowered his voice just the same. "And you? How are you feeling?"
Seven smiled at his concern. "The headache has diminished. I will be ready for the second surgery after my next appointment with the Doctor." That cheered him up, making a genuine smile spread across his face for the first time in over a week. Seven realized with a pang how much she had missed it. Acting on impulse, she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips.
Though it required a great deal of self-control, Chakotay did manage to restrain it to just the quick peck. "I'll see you in the mess for dinner?"
Seven nodded. "I look forward to it."
[Astrometrics]
"When a Borg Cube enters a transwarp conduit," Seven said, "it's subject to extreme gravimetric shear." She and Reg stood together in her lab, reviewing Starfleet's plan, or rather investigating what Borg techniques they could apply to it. "To compensate, the Borg project a structural integrity field ahead of the Cube. By modifying Voyager's deflector, we may be able to do the same."
"No one at Starfleet would have thought of this," said Reg, his expression and tone so impressed that Seven was inclined to either blush or believe him insincere. "So, what's the first thing you're going to do when you get back?"
"Begin repairs to Voyager." Have a minimum of another two surgeries and see if Chakotay still wishes to pursue a relationship. It struck her then that despite his current loyalty, their return to the Alpha Quadrant would open up numerous dating options for him. It left her uncertain. But now was not a time to dwell on such things. "Even with the structural integrity field, it's likely the ship will suffer significant damage."
"Yes, of course, but there are people at Utopia Planitia who will take care of that. There are Engineering crews and technicians, everyone ready and willing to do their job to get Voyager back in working order."
"Are you implying that I'm superfluous?" That was just as unsettling as the potential for Chakotay to decide he had better options besides her. The possibility left her cold and irritable.
Reg hurried to reassure her in the manner his programming made him believe was the way into every human's heart. "Of course not. I only meant that, if you're too busy working, you're going to miss all the welcome home hoopla. Starfleet's planning parties, ceremonies and speeches. There's a ticker-tape parade down Market Street."
"I won't be attending any of those events." The mere thought of it made her shudder.
"But, you'd be the guest of honour." He couldn't understand why she didn't seem happy at this information.
Seven sighed, not liking that she had to explain. "When I first arrived on Voyager, it was difficult for the crew to accept me. I'm anticipating a similar welcome on Earth." She only hoped being with Chakotay and having a refuge would shield her from the worst of it. Then again, he would undoubtedly be expected at those social events. If he still wanted to be in a romantic relationship with her, she would go for him.
Reg's programming, set to reassure the crew and whip them into an excited frenzy for Earth, supplied a ready solution to her concern. "You don't have any idea, do you? I didn't mention this earlier. I didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings. You are the one who people are most looking forward to seeing."
"That's difficult to believe." Impossible even. Her raised brow showed her disbelief clearly. "I was Borg."
"Exactly. You were Borg, but you escaped. Despite incredible odds, you managed to reclaim your humanity. No one's ever done that before. You're famous."
She almost rolled her eyes. Apparently. both Reg and the Doctor shared a flame for fame. "Fame is irrelevant, and appreciation for medical success does not translate into personal admiration."
This was not going as Reg expected, but he wouldn't give up and he had a different angle he could try. "Maybe, but you've given hope to everyone who's ever lost somebody to the Borg. You've inspired millions."
Seven considered that, something she hadn't thought about before. It would have been nice to have someone in her situation whose information and experiences she could learn from. Perhaps then she would have avoided some of her mistakes and uncertainty. Then there were the hundreds of families who would like to think their loved ones might be salvaged... "If you think my participation in the hoopla would be beneficial to others, then I'll comply."
Chakotay chose that moment to interrupt. He hesitated as he stepped inside and saw the hologram so close to Seven. Something protective in him didn't like their proximity, nor the way the hologram looked at her. She seemed oblivious, of course, but that didn't make Chakotay feel any better.
"Commander!" Reg broke into a wider smile. "What can we do for you?"
Chakotay forced a smile in return, but he wanted the hologram to leave so he could have a moment alone with Seven. Besides, something in Reg's grin was unnerving. "I just came to check up on the transceiver."
That was a lie, Seven knew because she'd sent him her report an hour ago, but she didn't call him out on it. "The repairs are complete, Commander. We are ready to transmit your message if that is acceptable."
He nodded and joined her at the console, forcing Reg to move away. Speaking exclusively to Seven, he effectively iced Reg out. "How about the rest of the modifications?"
Reg, stumped and frustrated by their behavior, frowned. It was short, quickly becoming a cheery smile when the Commander glanced at him.
"They are going according to plan," Seven replied. She missed Reg's scowl, but Chakotay did not. He pretended he didn't see, but it disturbed him… minor as it was.
"Well," Reg decided to cut his losses and try again later, "I should check in on engineering, but I'll be back to help."
Seven and Chakotay nodded as the hologram left.
"I assume there is a reason for your lie?" Seven asked as soon as the doors closed on Reg's retreating form.
"Something about him doesn't seem right."
"From the Doctor's descriptions, I was led to believe Lieutenant Barclay was socially awkward. Does the hologram's increased confidence make him appear insincere?"
Chakotay thought about it. It was a logical conclusion. Increasing specific characteristics in holograms of living persons did tend to result in a sense of strangeness. "Maybe."
"You do not sound convinced." And yet she understood. "He does seem unusually concerned with our enthusiasm for returning to the Alpha Quadrant."
And I don't like the way he looks at you. He knew better than to voice such a thought, though. "What were you two talking about?"
"He was asking what I would do when we returned. He claims my presence is highly anticipated by families of victims of the Borg."
"Oh." He supposed that made sense. She was proof that people could be rehabilitated even after a lifetime with the Borg. If someone lost a child, her very existence could give them hope. "I can understand that."
"Perhaps." She sighed. "And what is the purpose for your visit?"
Chakotay leaned in closer, placing his hands on her waist and she smirked. "Maybe I just missed you."
"This is highly inefficient." And yet she smiled.
"You're the one wasting time," he said, pulling her in for a kiss. There was no way he was going to admit he'd seen via internal sensors that the hologram was in astrometrics and come simply to check in on them. Still… "Can you promise me something?"
Seven quirked her head, but nodded.
"Don't be alone with Reg unless you have to."
"You believe him to be dangerous?" Though she doubted the hologram's information, it had not occurred to her that he might be malicious.
"I just… I don't know, but will you promise you'll try to stay away from him?"
"I will do my best, Chakotay." It was not a hollow promise, but she did doubt her ability to keep it if she was expected to assist get Voyager home safely.
[Sickbay]
"Ah, Seven. Right on time." The Doctor, restricted to sickbay since the holographic Reg took his emitter, was even happier to see Seven than usual. He beamed at the chance to have a visitor of any sort.
"Doctor. How have you adapted to your confinement?" She let him lead her to a bed and sat on the edge.
"Oh, it's just fine. I've caught up on a great deal of reading and research. I was supposed to go golfing," his expression drooped, "but Reg wasn't as enthusiastic as I expected him to be. Still, there's always something to do around here."
"You do not find it tedious?" She smiled just a little, reading enough of his body language to see he was going stir crazy. It hadn't even been two days and he was hovering over her like a hen. He hadn't even picked up his tricorder, trying to extend her visit.
"Yes, I suppose it is, but it's all in the interest of returning to Earth."
"Perhaps."
The Doctor perked up at her darkened tone. "Why?"
"I am unconvinced the upgrades are sufficient to protect the crew from the radiation or the effects of travelling through the fold."
The Doctor pondered this. "I have my concerns as well."
"The inoculations?"
He nodded. "I took a closer look at them and they don't seem to be anything special."
"Have you discussed this with the Captain?"
"No. Do you believe I should? Of course, I should," he answered himself immediately. The other hologram's behavior just wasn't right. He would have summoned the Captain as soon as he had his last, disturbing confrontation with Reg, but a few injuries in engineering and then Seven's appointment had postponed the impulse. "I'll mention your concerns as well."
"A diagnostic of his programming would be appropriate given the circumstances."
This made the Doctor feel moderately better. It could be that Reg's strange behavior was just the result of a glitch or error. Given how far he'd travelled, how long he'd been running, and the simple fact that most programs were subject to a glitch here and there, the probability was high. "That's an excellent idea, Seven."
"You may wish to have Commander Chakotay with you when you meet the Captain."
The Doctor's brows rose, but he managed to keep his tone even. "Oh?"
"He is concerned about the hologram as well." She puzzled over the promise she'd made to Chakotay. "He requested I not be alone with the hologram."
"Hmm." That was interesting. "I'll make a note of that."
Seven inclined her head, eying his tricorder. She didn't have all day to chat.
"Right." Taking the hint, the Doctor picked up the tool and began scanning her. "Well, holograms, red giants, and Earth aside, I'd say you're ready for your next surgery."
"When?"
"I anticipate a similar recovery period as the first. So, I'll schedule it for after we're on our way again, whether that's the Alpha Quadrant or here."
[Turbolift]
Since he was confined to the one room or the holodecks, Commander Chakotay and Captain Janeway were summoned to sickbay to talk to the Doctor. They rode the turbolift together. It was a mostly silent trip, each still a little awkward after their last big argument, mostly because they were each a little ashamed.
"So," Janeway searched for something to say. "Any fun dates planned?"
"Nothing in the near future." He smiled at her. He didn't normally hold a grudge and didn't intend to start with Janeway. "Lunch dates are all we've really had time for right now." It didn't help that she still required more surgeries so her body wouldn't shut down.
The corridor was empty, most staff working hard on Reg's modifications elsewhere.
The doors to sickbay slid open.
"What is it, Doctor?" Despite being pulled away from work, Janeway was pleasant.
"It's the Reg hologram. He's been behaving erratically. I'm concerned there could be something wrong with him."
In the end, even with Chakotay and the Doctor voicing concerns, Janeway agreed to run a diagnostic on Reg, but she would not halt their plans. It was the best the two men could hope for, especially since they had more to gain if all was as it seemed.
[Astrometrics]
Seven did her best to avoid Reg, but there was one instance she could not dodge his presence.
The time for them to enact their plan approached quickly and, claiming to be needed in astrometrics to oversee the scans, Reg planted himself away from prying eyes and close to the object of his mission. He tried to smile normally as he took his place, but he could see the suspicion in her gaze. He stifled a sigh. It would all be over soon.
Seven, who could think of no reason to kick Reg out, was not pleased to have the hologram settle himself at her post. Chakotay's warning was not far from her mind, but there was nothing she could do.
[Bridge]
The crew worked diligently at their stations, sneaking hopeful glances at the red giant. The fold began to open and the tension in the crew became palpable.
Tom nervously steered towards the fold. "Two million kilometres and closing, Captain."
"Take us to one quarter impulse."
Chakotay called astrometrics, every muscle in his body tense with a strangling combination of worry and hope. "Bring the enhanced shielding online."
[Astrometrics]
Reg answered before Seven could. "Aye, Commander."
The sensors blared a warning. Seven scrolled through the data, quickly growing alarmed.
"What's wrong?"
Seven shook her head. The plan wouldn't work. It was impossible. They had to abort their mission. "The fold contains three radiation types we didn't account for. The shield modifications are not enough."
Reg waved away her concerns. "The shields were modified to work in combination with the inoculations. We'll be fine."
Seven eyed Reg, wondering why he was so determined to overlook the facts. The shields simply weren't going to hold and though she was not trained in medicine, she knew that if the Doctor believed the inoculations were insufficient before, they would be utterly useless against the amount of radiation sensors were reading now. She tapped her badge. "Astrometrics to bridge."
Janeway answered. "Go ahead.
"There is too much radiation—" She wasn't able to finish her sentence. Though she kept her eyes on Reg, he had abilities she didn't. He reached out and she grabbed his arm, but he was much stronger than she was. His fingers touched her head, delving deep. There was sparking pain and then oblivion.
Reg sighed as the blonde woman's limp body fell to the floor. He would have to improvise now.
"What is it, Seven?" Janeway's concerned voice required an answer.
Manipulating his voice to mimic Seven's, he answered. "There was a problem, Captain, but I've corrected it."
[Bridge]
Chakotay and Janeway shared a confused look. She gave a quick nod and Chakotay sprung from his seat, beckoning Tuvok to come with him.
As the doors closed, Harry began to get warnings from sensors. "Something's wrong, Captain."
"The radiation?" Janeway asked, wondering if the problem Seven mentioned was not so easily corrected.
"No, the fold is collapsing."
"Can we still make it?"
Harry shook his head. "There's no way our shields would protect us."
Reg's voice sounded through the comm. "Astrometrics to the bridge. Why are we stopping?"
Janeway answered slowly, confused and increasingly concerned. Seven would have been able to tell him why. Astrometrics would be displaying the same information Harry was getting. They clearly couldn't go through. "The fold's collapsing, Reg. We didn't make it in time."
[Astrometrics]
Reg tried putting in false information to send to the bridge. "It's not too late if we remodulate the shields."
The doors slid open and Reg knew it was over. Chakotay and Tuvok levelled their phasers at him. Reg contemplated beaming himself and Seven to a shuttle, but the shuttle wouldn't survive going through the fold. It didn't matter if Seven was alive or dead, but he at least needed her in one piece in order to complete his mission.
Tuvok revoked the mobile emitter, making Reg disappear, as Chakotay kneeled next to Seven. He ran a hand over her head, which was unusually warm. She didn't move, but she was at least breathing. Though his heart was in his throat, the simple fact that she was alive allowed him to speak coherently.
"Chakotay to sickbay. Medical emergency."
[Sickbay]
This is becoming entirely too common, thought Seven as she opened her eyes. The pounding in her head instantly made her regret waking up.
"Here," came the Doctor's voice. There was the hiss of a hypospray and the pain lessened. "How do you feel?"
Seven opened her eyes slowly this time. "The Barclay hologram—"
"Has been deactivated." The Doctor helped her sit up. "They're running a full diagnostic of his program. Maybe then we'll understand why he tried to get us all killed."
"There was too much radiation." She vaguely recalled trying to contact the bridge, but it was a blur. Did her message get through? "Our shields wouldn't have held."
"I know, but luckily the fold closed on its own before Voyager could attempt the journey."
"The crew must be disappointed." And yet she couldn't feel anything besides relief. The Doctor was observant.
"You're not?"
"No. I long ago realized my desire to return to the Alpha Quadrant is not equal to the rest of the crew's." Now that she was in a relationship with Chakotay, she had even less drive to return.
"I think I understand." The Doctor ran his tricorder over her as he spoke. "You didn't grow up there."
"I also wonder what sort of reception I will receive."
"What do you mean?" He snapped the tricorder closed with a concerned frown.
"I was Borg." She thought of the way the Barclay hologram had attempted to manipulate her, by soothing her concerns with promises of veneration. She kept her silence, however. She didn't want anyone to know how deep those concerns ran.
"Starfleet won't hold that against you."
"They should. If our situations were reversed, I would."
"Some people won't trust you." There was no point denying the truth. "But the majority will accept that you're no longer Borg. Speaking of which, are you ready to schedule your next surgery?"
Seven grimaced, not eager to feel the pounding headache and weakness she'd experienced before. However, there was no way around it. Better get it over with. "Yes."
"Good." The Doctor smiled. "I actually have a surprise for you."
[Chakotay's Quarters]
Chakotay heaved a tired sigh, relieved to finally be heading to his quarters and bed. He had just stepped inside and tossed his PADD on the table when his door chimed. He groaned, but stood to answer it anyway.
"Seven?" She didn't answer, or not the way he expected. Sleep was totally forgotten as she strode over with purpose. Not hesitating in the least, she locked lips with him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a way that left him in no doubt as to what her intentions were.
The doors slid closed again as Seven pushed Chakotay back inside. She was like a prisoner finally released from her shackles. Anything was within her reach and she wanted to have it all.
"Wait." He wrenched his lips from hers with regret. Breathing hard, his hands and eyes finally noticed that she wasn't wearing her normal clothing. He took in the familiar sight of the red dress that had driven his dreams wild since first seeing it. He tried to remember what his objection was.
Smiling at his distraction, Seven took advantage of his silence and kissed him soundly again.
"No." He remembered now. "What about the failsafe?"
"The Doctor deactivated it this afternoon."
"What?" He blinked, not daring to believe such good news. "But it required at least three surgeries. You were in so much pain after the first one."
"He used his confinement in sickbay to conduct more research." Her hand traced his tattoo. Her smile widened as she felt his body shiver under her touch. "He completed the procedure in less than two hours."
"And you're sure…?"
Seven leaned in and Chakotay immediately met her. His own passion aflame, he only left her mouth to run lips, teeth and tongue down her throat. Her delighted, passionate laughter filled his quarters as he dragged her backwards into his bedroom.
[Chakotay's Quarters]
"I'm sorry we weren't able to return to the Alpha Quadrant. I know you were hoping our worries were unfounded." Seven lay with her head on Chakotay's chest, their cooling bodies entwined beneath the sheets. The red dress and his uniform lay in various pools on the floor.
"To be honest, I didn't even think about it after I saw you on the floor in astrometrics." He felt her smile against his chest, but it was true. He'd taken her to sickbay, not once caring about the failed plan to go through the fold.
"Still, it is unfortunate Starfleet's plan did not come to fruition. I imagine the crew is severely disappointed."
"If that even was Starfleet's idea." He was not so sure, not anymore. It was all such a large risk, so poorly planned that he doubted Tom's father would have approved of it, or that they would have received no warning.
"Why send the hologram then?"
"Why send a hologram to deliver instructions that could just have easily fit in a normal message?" A deep sigh. "I don't know. It's so suspect that I wouldn't be surprised if we were being set up."
Seven nodded her agreement. "It does seem an inefficient choice. Starfleet would also have to be exceptionally careless of this crew's lives to instruct us to enter the fold without sufficient protection from the radiation."
"You still think his program was just degraded from the transmission process?"
She shrugged. "It is merely the simplest answer at this time."
They were silent a long while, each lost in thought and the pleasantness of a hand trailing up and down an arm, a leg slung over another, a teasing foot drawing up and down a calf, the flutter of each other's breath on cooling skin.
"You know, Seven," said Chakotay after a little deliberation, "I don't think I'm very disappointed the plan didn't work."
"Elaborate." It was more a soft purr than the usual demand.
"Well, if we'd made it to the Alpha Quadrant, we'd each be busy being debriefed, pulled away for work, and caught up in family reunions."
"Is that not the point of our journey?"
He smiled. "Yes, but then I wouldn't be right here with you now, and I wouldn't trade this for the world."