Thanks to the person who reviewed. Loved the comment. Now, this chapter's a bit longer than the last one, so I hope you guys like that. I wanted to keep going, but I decided that it sounded okay where I left off, and it wouldn't ever stop if I kept going. But, since I have so many ideas, chapter 8 will probably be up pretty quick-
Actually, it's about to get a little complicated- at least, complicated to write. It might take a day or so to get my thoughts in the right order, but once they're organized (since they come to me randomly) they'll flow. So be patient.
...Don't think there's much else I can say without giving something away, so I'll let you read.
Not long after Seven left, Neelix called the captain to tell her. He also asked her if she could talk to Seven, since the Borg respected her more.
Janeway said she would, and made her way to Astrometrics.
-
When she arrived, she saw Seven working dutifully at her console, occasionally looking up the large screen in front of her.
"How's work coming along, Seven?" Janeway asked casually.
"Without Lieutenant Torres disrupting me, work has been proceeding at 99 percent efficiency. I have made a few minor mistakes, but I have fixed them."
"I see. There hasn't been much in the way of interesting space activity lately, so what exactly are you doing?"
"I have been researching slipstream technology," Seven replied. "and I have been thinking of ways of adapting the technology to Voyager."
"Fascinating. And how long have you been working on this?"
"…I am not exactly sure, captain. I have… lost track of time lately."
"Tired or tense? The Doctor wouldn't appreciate it if you pushed yourself too hard."
"I am slightly tense, Captain. Mr. Neelix has… frustrated me."
"Oh?" Janeway put on an innocently curious expression. "What happened?"
Seven sighed. "He invited me to Airponics, and then assaulted me with concerns from him and the crew regarding my health. He does not seem to understand that I am functioning just fine. Though, I have one regret. I… shouted at him."
"I'm sure he'll forgive you, Seven. You were probably overwhelmed, and yelling is a natural reaction to that. Maybe you should relax a bit."
Seven regarded her carefully, and Janeway became apprehensive.
"…I will not comply," Seven said steadily. "There is no need for rest."
"But Seven," Janeway started, "it's unhealthy to not rest once in a while."
Suddenly Janeway had an urgent instinct to step backwards and did so, just in time to miss Seven's Borg-enhanced hand swinging at her.
"You are doing just as he did!" she accused. "You are attempting to change me, make me think that something is wrong when there is not!"
The frantic look in Seven's eyes worried Janeway.
"Seven, relax." She put a comforting hand on Seven's shoulder, but was startled when Seven flinched.
"I wasn't trying to upset you. I'm sorry. Just calm down."
"I cannot calm down. I am imperfect. It must be fixed."
"Seven, you're fine just how you are."
"No! This body is not perfect! I am not perfect! I must be perfect!"
"But why do you need to be perfect, Seven?" Janeway asked. "Why is it so important?"
"Because-" the Borg frowned, confused. "it is perfection. Perfection is desirable, is it not?"
Janeway sighed. "In a sense, yes, but… Seven, you shouldn't focus solely on perfection. It's not a healthy obsession."
Seven wanted to keep the argument going for some reason, but something told her that it would be better if she simply made the captain think she was okay. Then she would not be bothered and could continue with her work. Besides, arguing was an inefficient use of time- imperfect.
She straightened her posture and forced her face into its usual calm expression.
"I understand, Captain," she said. "You may leave now."
Janeway left, albeit reluctantly, and Seven felt slightly relieved. She would have to be more careful around the captain from now on.
-
It had been five days since her last regeneration or meal. Even though she denied it, the Borg was definitely feeling fatigue. Seven had refused to talk to anyone starting on the third, and had shut herself up in the cargo bay, working from the computer consoles there.
By now, everyone knew about what was going on, and the people closest to her were getting anxious about her well-being.
Seven knew she had promised herself to try to act normal, but after a day or so had passed, something in her mind… snapped, for lack of a better word, and reasonable thinking seemed beyond her.
Not that she minded, of course. Even though the way she was acting wasn't really responsible, she was getting a lot of work done without any anxious crewmembers bothering her.
Though, after she pondered this for a while, she realized staying in the cargo bay wasn't the best idea. Maybe she would go back to her old workstation.
-
B'Elanna knew she had said to Seven that she wouldn't come near her "until it was over," but now that the Borg had been gone for several days, B'Elanna needed to see her to make sure she was alright.
She made her way to Astrometrics and entered, but made no indication that she was there. She highly doubted being quiet would matter, since the Borg would eventually notice her, but she wanted to get as much time as she could to watch her.
What she saw scared her. Seven obviously hadn't eaten during the whole mess- her normally skintight outfit now seemed a little loose, and the bones in her human hand were far too noticeable.
B'Elanna shuddered but stayed quiet, not wanting Seven to notice her. However, it didn't seem to mater after a few minutes. The Borg's hands were trembling, and her eyes were blinking more than normal. It took ten minutes for her to realize B'Elanna was in the room.
"Lieutenant Torres? Is that… you?" Seven asked slowly, looking at B'Elanna uncertainly.
B'Elanna nodded.
"Please leave… or…" Seven's threat could not be completed, as her eyes fluttered closed and she sank to her knees.
"Seven!" B'Elanna rushed to Seven's side, holding her upright.
"Torres to sickbay- medical emergency. Emergency transport required."
B'Elanna and Seven were immediately taken to sickbay, with the Doctor regarding them concernedly.
"What happened?" he asked, as he helped B'Elanna move Seven to one of the beds.
"I went into Astrometrics to watch her- I wanted to see how she was doing… She saw me, and then she collapsed."
B'Elanna shook her head. "I can't believe what she did to herself, Doctor. I don't know why…" But REALLY I want to know why I care so much, she added to herself.
"Well, you can ask her yourself," the Doctor said. "She's waking up."
Seven sat up slowly and looked around sickbay. "Why am I here?"
"You collapsed, Seven," the Doctor replied. "Your body is extremely low on energy. It's common knowledge on the ship that you haven't eaten or regenerated in days. Care to tell us why?"
"Perfection. I am Borg. I do not need assistance to function."
B'Elanna made a small angry sound and stalked out of sickbay. The Doctor noticed a small flicker of emotion go across Seven's face, but it was quickly covered.
"Seven, I won't tell the captain that you were in here, but maybe you could use a short break. To erase tension, you know. How about a little time in the holodeck, hmm?"
Seven eyed him carefully, and the Doctor did his best to keep a straight face.
Finally, Seven nodded. "I will. Thank you, Doctor." She stood up and strode out of sickbay. Once she was gone, the Doctor allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief.