A/N: I know it's short, but I wanted to get something up and it's a good break. I promise to finish this story even if I take far too long doing it. Thank you for your continued patience!

Time Enough Chapter 12

"Harry, tell me something good."

"We've passed the nebula, Captain," Harry replied. "We'll be back on the standard plane in about 75 hours."

"Excellent." Janeway turned to Chakotay. "Where are we on supplies?"

"We're in good shape, "Captain," Chakotay replied. "The hydroponics bay kept Neelix's pots full."

"Yeah, full of—"

"Tom," Janeway interrupted, shaking her head and stifling a laugh. "B'Elanna? How's our fuel?"

"We could use resupplying," B'Elanna replied. "Our efficiency is as high as it's ever been, but they've been running full-out for a long time. I'd like to locate a fuel source and take some downtime."

Janeway tapped her comm. "Seven, we'll be back on course in about three days. We're looking for fuel and supplies, so get your scanners warmed up."

"Aye, Captain," Seven's voice replied. The corner of Janeway's mouth twitched. She knew Seven well enough to know the Borg was angry. Janeway had wimped out on having The Talk with Seven and just found every reason possible to keep off the bridge.

"I am displeased," Seven growled. She paced around the room looking for something she could hit without damaging something important. "I feel as if I have been removed from the Collective. Why is the Captain doing this?" she all but whined.

"Maybe she's just scared," Janice offered. She could see that Seven was not satisfied with that answer. "Becoming romantically involved with you changes, well, everything. And there are all kinds of other ramifications for the Captain. She has to be careful how she treats you around other people. I mean, at least until you both know things are serious and you're ready for other people to know."

Seven considered. "Yes, I could simply declare my wish for a romantic relationship at the next briefing. That would ease the Captain's burden. Or perhaps I should make an announcement on the ship's communication system."

Janice felt the blood drain from her face. "Oh, that would not be a good idea, Ma'am. I suspect the Captain would not appreciate having a say in that information becoming public." She saw the disaster play out in her mind's eye.

Apparently Seven did as well. The Borg sighed. "The status quo is intolerable. I would welcome suggestions, Ensign." She paused for a moment then said, "Janice. Please."

Janice wasn't sure she should be flattered or afraid at Seven's first-even use of her given name. "Perhaps you could convince the Captain to meet you on the holodeck?" Janice suggested. "You could make sure no one could eavesdrop, right? Get her alone and have an honest conversation about your feelings. Just, well, just make sure you can live with her answer if it isn't the one you want."

Whatever Seven thought of that idea was set aside when the sensors bleated for attention. An M-Class system had been detected.

Mio stalked into their quarters. "Your friend came to see me today." She frowned at Janice's puzzled look. "Carol. She came to the hydroponics bay. I thought she was looking for John, he went with the shuttle, but no. She came to tell me that that pervert is still after me. She started crying and asked me to let her have him."

"Nels?" Janice asked, feeling a few beats behind in the conversation. "But I thought he and Carol.."

"So did I," Mio snarled. "But to hear Carol tell it, he does nothing but talks about me. And he calls her by my name when they fuck. It's sick." Mio looked like she was trying to decide between screaming and vomiting.

Janice found words a challenge. "We'll tell the Captain. He can't do this. He has to stay away."

"He has," Mio replied angrily. "He hasn't gotten near me." She ran her hand through her hair. "I'm sorry to be yelling at you, Jan. I'm just… I need a shower." She kissed Janice on the cheek. "A shower with bleach," she muttered. "I'll be okay. I just need a moment." She disappeared into the lavatory to scrub off the creepy feeling.

"I'm still telling Tuvok about this," Janice called out. "Assuming Carol was telling the truth," she added softly. "It's sick either way."

"The tracking device is functioning properly," Tuvok said patiently. "Crewman Nels has not deviated from his allowed locations. We do not have the resources to keep him under guard."

"So lock him in the brig," Janice shot back. "He tried to rape her. That's a crime and he could be in the damned brig. Sir," she added. "Look, he's got some weird obsession with her. He's dangerous."

Tuvok stifled a sigh. "I am not unsympathetic, Ensign Cavanaugh. The brig requires manpower I do not have on an ongoing basis. The tracking device will notify the nearest security team should he come near your or Ensign Sato's comm badge and it will deliver an incapacitating shock to him. This is the safest option I have at my disposal." He schooled his features into his best kind-but-firm expression. "I will add myself to the alert protocol and I will have a security officer examine the tracking device each day. This is all I can do."

Janice fought down the panic threatening to move her beyond reason. "Yes, Sir," she managed. "I do appreciate the measures you've taken, Sir." She left to start her duty shift in Astrometrics.

Tuvok frowned. He was troubled by the information relayed by Ensign Cavanaugh, but there truly was no responsible way to place a guard on Crewman Nels every moment he was out of his quarters, nor did he have personnel to continuously man the brig. He made a mental note to review the specs for the tracking device.

Seven exited her regeneration unit feeling not the least bit refreshed. This was simply intolerable. She must resolve this, one way or the other, immediately. She activated her comm badge. "Captain, please meet me at the alcove." She deactivated her comm badge so Janeway would be unable to give another excuse. She accessed the data she had compiled thus far and narrowed her strategies to three before Janeway rushed into the cargo bay converted to Seven's quarters.

"Are you all right?" Janeway asked. She noted Seven calmly standing beside the data terminal. Clearly she was. "What is this about? We're about to enter a system with an M-Class planet."

"I will not require much time," Seven said stiffly. She quickly ran through her top three actions. She did it again."

Janeway saw the confusion on Seven's face. "What's wrong?"

"I cannot decide," the Borg whispered, "which is the right one. I must not choose incorrectly."

"Seven, what are you talking about?" Now quite concerned, Janeway moved to stand next to Seven. "What are you trying to choose?"

Seven's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I cannot decide the correct words. The words that will make you tell me."

"Tell me what?" Janeway felt the panic rising. She knew damned well what. She felt no little guilt at the misery Seven was clearly feeling.

Seven abandoned her plan. "I wish to know if you would like to pursue a romantic relationship with me." She hurried on, "I understand there will be difficulties and that you will likely wish it to remain private for a time. I think you have been avoiding me so you would not have to answer my question. Captain, Kathryn, please tell me. If you do not want it, then tell me. I ask only that you make a decision."

There were so many reasons to say no and walk away. So, so many reasons. Janeway was vaguely surprised to see her hand resting on Seven's arm. "I'm afraid if it doesn't work out that I'll lose your friendship."

"I am aware of this possibility through my studies," Seven said. "The dissolution of the underlying friendship came about due to irrational thought by one or both. I am not irrational nor are you." She refused to let the small spark of hope ignite just yet.

"No," Janeway said with a laugh, "no you aren't." She took a steadying breath. "I— Oh, hell." Janeway leaned in and kissed Seven gently.

"This is an affirmative?" Seven asked hesitantly, almost fearfully.

"It is," Janeway said with a wry smile. She knew it was probably a mistake but those damned dreams weren't going away. She started to lean in once more when a klaxon blared.

"Damn it," Janeway grumbled. This was oddly even more frustrating than her dreams. Her comm badge called out a request for her presence on the Bridge. "We'll talk about this later," she promised. "And don't deactivate your comm badge," she added with a smile. She squeezed Seven's arm then hurried away.

Seven stood in a daze until a distant explosion and a shudder through the ship. "Battle stations!" blared over the ship's comm system. Seven took off at a run.