Chakotay went straight to his quarters after watching the three Borg beam to their cube and sank into his favourite chair with a sigh. Why did Riley of all people have to show up now? Perhaps its fate, said a small voice in his brain but he immediately dismissed the thought. He wasn't the same man who had entertained feelings for the former drone and she wasn't how he'd remembered her either, the conviction to her cause remained the same but where was the kindness and the humour that had truly enamoured him? There was a sinister edge to her that disturbed him and she had been so cold with Seven, the only one who could possibly understand her drive to destroy the Borg. All these confused thoughts about Riley always seemed to lead to Seven and he felt a strong urge to share these thoughts with her and get her perspective. Would she even want to talk to him after seeing how Riley threw herself at him? The insecurity in her voice during their conversation in Astrometrics made this a real worry, he kicked himself for not going through with their date despite recent events, then he would have had her to himself. Making a hasty decision he tapped his comm. badge, "Computer, locate Seven of Nine."

"Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay 2." The Computer replied in that ubiquitous monotone voice. Breathing out a sigh of relief he hadn't been aware of holding, he made his way there.

Seven pressed the controls of the three unused alcoves in Cargo Bay 2 far harder than she needed to in an unconscious release of pent up emotion she didn't feel able to express. Her heart shuddered at the thought of sharing the cargo bay, her quarters in many ways, with these strangers everyone seemed to expect her to automatically bond with when in reality the opposite was the case. Are you really upset because they are Borg or because one of them is romantically affiliated with Commander Chakotay? Said her mind, trying to understand these unusually strong emotions running rampant within her. She turned her head to the large doors as she heard the familiar opening swish to see Chakotay standing in the threshold. A violent uncontrollable blush surged in her cheeks at the appearance of the very First Officer she had been entertaining inappropriate thoughts of only a few seconds prior. "Commander! I haven't finished the alcove modifications yet." She told him in a shaky high pitched voice.

Her words jumped Chakotay out of his dream state, staring at her bright cheeks. He closed his hanging mouth hurriedly hoping to God she hadn't noticed. "I'm not here for that…I wanted to talk to you…"

"Concerning what?"

"This whole situation…everything…I don't know."

Seven's back stiffened as she remembered the Captain's lecture; she didn't want that brought up again, particularly not by him. "What situation Commander?"

"With the Cooperative, I need to explain it to you."

"I have read your report…"

"That won't have enlightened you much." He said, coming closer as she shook her head. "I met her…them when I was badly injured. When I found out who they were I'm not going to lie, I was as angry and scared as hell. But then they showed me the link, they healed me and it was such a freeing experience that I became…intoxicated with it I suppose. I listened to their dreams of peaceful Borg and believed them, even when they used me like a pawn I still hoped…"

Seven interrupted him. "Until my appearance destroyed those hopes."

"Don't say things like that!" he reprimanded before his brain caught up with his emotions and he reconsidered. "Seeing you…did remove the last of my naivety, I saw what they did to you and I knew in my heart what Riley was trying to do was impossible."

"The Captain doesn't seem to think so. She said my lack of trust came from jealousy of them living in two worlds I've had to choose between."

Chakotay looked at her pale face and mentally upbraided the Captain for once again sticking her foot where it didn't belong. "You don't really believe that?" he asked softly.

"No…but if I'm never going to be a proper individual, if I'm only ever going to be a drone, I should have joined Unimatrix Zero where I could at least be of some use…" Seven stopped herself, surprised and humiliated by the sudden uncalled for emotional outburst.

Chakotay swallowed hard before reaching impulsively for her hand. "These people aren't individuals, not really, the Cooperative, Unimatrix Zero; their only aim is to destroy the Collective. Revenge isn't a good thing to live for. You deserve more of a life than that Seven." Seven nodded her head in solemn agreement, lifting her eyes to meet his. He gave the hand he was still holding a squeeze. "I'm glad you didn't leave." She didn't say anything and he dropped her hand, turning to leave with an embarrassed flush.

Seven gazed down at her still tingling hand. "Thank you Chakotay, good night." She murmured softly at his back, her voice thick with unspoken emotions. He knew all these without looking at her for his were the same; he allowed a real smile of happiness and relief to become fixed on his features as he left. Seven collapsed against her alcove, all energy suddenly drained from her. Deciding that the modifications were completed to a satisfactory standard, she stepped into it, for the first time in her life hoping to dream.

Riley stepped into Astrometrics to find Zina and Icheb talking and laughing companionably. She frowned in disapproval and sent Zina a thought. "Keep him distracted while I complete our task."

"You're going to take her to the Cube?" Riley didn't need telepathy to answer nor did Zina to communicate her horror. "You're going to kill her? You can't do that! What about Icheb?"

"You've taken a fancy to him have you? What's more important him or the fate of our Cooperative? You know our orders." Riley smiled in triumph as she felt Zina's feelings of defeat. "Good. Do as I told you." A slight nod from Zina and Riley left for Cargo Bay 2.

Seven's eyelashes fluttered open to find herself on a cube with Riley staring right at her. "What are you doing here? My regeneration cycle is private."

Riley smirked at her, "You like to be alone?"

"Yes."

"Well I don't. Maybe I'll go and visit Chakotay."

"I doubt he'll want to see you."

"Even if you're right, which I doubt you are, he'll soon understand."

Seven felt fear seize her heart and squeeze it. "What are you going to do to him?" she hissed angrily.

"I'm not doing anything wrong. He's coming back to his family; we've missed him over the last four years."

Something inside Seven snapped. "If you think I'm ever going to allow you to take him you're insane…"

"Now that's where the plan becomes truly effective. You can't allow anything anymore, I've trapped you here. Your implants are destabilising as we speak."

"No! You're lying!" Seven shouted, trying to force herself awake.

"Don't exhaust your resources; you want to enjoy your last lonely minutes of life don't you?" Riley smiled sadistically before she disappeared altogether.

Seven continued to struggle, panic beginning to set in. "No! Release me!" A sob rose in her throat as her situation sank in. "No…Chakotay…please don't go with her…"

Riley stepped out of the alcove, a smile of satisfaction filling her whole face. She allowed herself a quick glance at Seven, the deep frown on her face not revealing her true predicament, just as Riley had intended. Now for Chakotay.

Chakotay was sitting in his quarters, thinking over for the tenth time his conversation with Seven when the doorbell rang. "Come in." he said reluctantly.

He turned hoping to see Seven but finding Riley instead. "Riley, is there something wrong?" he asked with distant politeness.

"You've been avoiding me. It seems you find telling other people about us awkward."

Chakotay stood up with a sigh. "There is no us Riley. I don't want to hurt you but…"

"It's that drone isn't it? She's turned you against me, but I'm not like her…"

"Seven and I…Look Riley I value your friendship…"

She hooked an unwelcome arm round his neck. "As I do yours. Don't worry about the drone, she won't cause problems for us anymore…"

Chakotay's eyes darkened in anger and fear. "What have you done?" He made to run to the door but she held him in a vice like grip, kissing him deeply, reaching her hand round to the neuro-transceiver at the base of his neck as he tried to push her away. She knew she'd been successful when she felt his mind merge with the Cooperative and saw his eyes go lifeless, his body still.

She guided him to sit on the bed and began to deepen her kisses; disappointed by his robotic responses she pulled back in agitation, where his pain filled voice became audible. "Seven…help me…"

Riley uttered a vicious snarl; even half assimilated he wasn't hers! "Fine! If that's the way it's to be…" She plunged her assimilation tubes into his neck. He groaned in agony as the nanoprobes began their assault and she felt triumph flow through her. "Heldan, two to beam up." The green flash of a Borg transporter filled the room and they were both gone.

A/n: Please review!