Resolution Part Two

Resolution Part Two

After a few more minute of companionable silence, Seven and Harry gathered their clothing and dressed. As pulled on his left shoe, Seven examined herself in the mirror above the sink in the bathroom.

"Everything alright?"

"Yes." She emerged, her hair pulled back in its usual neat and tidy do.

"I think we should check back in with the Doctor…make sure he thinks you're cured."

"I agree."

Together they headed back to Deck Five. When they arrived in Sickbay, they found the Doctor sitting in his office, reading through some files.

"Doctor," Seven called. He jumped in his seat at the sound of her voice.

"Sev en. Mr. Kim. I wasn't expecting you back so…soon." He tried to look less embarrassed at having been caught off guard as she ushered her to a bio bed. He picked up a tricorder and began to scan her.

"Well you're sitting still. That's an improvement."

Harry stood by as the Doctor continued his scans. He and Seven shared a few fleeting glances as the hologram stepped between them. Harry could still see Seven's skin was flushed from the encounter and it made him smile.

"Well it looks as though you're in the clear," the Doctor announced in a satisfied tone. Seven gave a nod and stood up. "Now if only my other patient was that simple."

"I will inform the Captain of the result," Seven said and walked out of Sickbay. Harry raced after her. He followed her to a turbolift and stopped the doors from closing when she gave the computer the command to go the Cargo Bay.

"I thought you were going to speak with the Captain."

"I wish to return to my uniform."

He gave a hiccup of laughter. "Right. Well…uh…I guess I'll see you on the bridge."

Seven gave him a nod and he stepped out of the way of the doors. A short time later she walked on to the bridge to find Janeway looking over sensor data by helm. Chakotay spotted her first and waved her down.

"Kathryn," he called. She looked up and caught sight of Seven.

"Keep me apprised of our progress to the planet. I want to know the minute we're within transporter range."

"Yes, Captain." Janeway motioned for Seven to follow her into her Ready Room. Once behind closed doors, Kathryn turned to Seven.

"How do you feel?"

"Fine." She could tell the Captain wanted more than a one word answer. "The Doctor has assured me that I am no longer in danger of dying."

"That's good to hear."

They sat in silence for a moment before Seven spoke again.

"Captain…"

"Yes?"

"I am certain how to express…my gratitude to Ensign Kim for his…participation in this situation."

"I'm sure a thank you would suffice."

"I am not certain it will. He has expressed an interest in me."

Kathryn smiled and reached over the desk to pat Seven's hand. "You're a very attractive young woman. Don't be afraid to embrace that."

Seven looked less than convinced it was a good idea but nodded anyways. Just then Chakotay's voice came over the comm. system.

"Captain, we're within transporter range. Radella would like to speak with you." Both Kathryn and Seven stood up as the doors opened and Radella walked in.

"I don't want to interrupt, Captain…however we need to work quickly now that we're in range."

"I understand."

Seven quietly excused herself, wishing to return to the Cargo Bay. She had the sudden desire to regenerate. Meanwhile, Radella and Kathryn returned to Sickbay.

"Doctor, can you wake her?" Kathryn asked. The hologram nodded. Moments later, Laili's eyes fluttered open and she looked groggily up at Radella and Kathryn.

"Where…am I?"

"You're in Sickbay."

"What happened?"

"Captain Janeway was forced to interrupt the imbuing ritual you were performing."

Laili paled. She knew the consequences of interrupting the ritual before it was complete. "Radella…I…is Seven of Nine alright?"

"She's fine." Kathryn's voice had a cold edge to it.

"Why exactly did you think it was appropriate to use one of my crew as a surrogate parent…especially when you knew the risk?" she demanded.

"I never meant to harm anyone, Captain."

"Laili…please answer her question. It's something I'd like to know the answer to as well."

Laili took a breath and did the best she could to sit up. "Kaelin and I haven't been able to conceive…I know it was selfish but…we wanted a child. We wanted to be mothers."

"Your desire for a child somehow outweighed your common sense?" Kathryn had to take a step back. She could understand the desire to be a mother. But she cared about her crew, even the newest member.

"Captain…I can understand your frustration but this is going to get us nowhere. She's in a weakened state as it is. I don't need you agitating her more," the Doctor interceded.

Kathryn took a deep breath and turned to Radella. "What do we have to do to prepare?"

"We'll need to bring her partner aboard and get her set up in the simulation on the holodeck."

Kathryn nodded. "Once she's on board, we will meet you there."

Laili pushed herself to a full sitting position and began to swing her legs over the edge of the bed. The Doctor caught her as she swayed violently on her feet.

"Take it easy. You're very weak."

"Just get me back to the simulation." She sounded out of breath and all she'd done as sit up.

An agonizing ten minutes later, Kathryn and the Doctor managed to get Laili back to Holodeck One. They set hr down in one of the large chairs to let her rest. In Transporter Room Two, Radella stood to meet Kaelin.

"We've got to hurry," Radella said once Kaelin was off the transporter pad.

"Where is she?"

"This way."

They arrived on the Holodeck just as the Doctor finished a tricorder scan of Laili. "Good you've arrived. She's getting worse."

Kaelin bent down to Laili's eye level, placing a hand on her cheek. "Let's get you well."

Laili's eyes fluttered opened. "I'm sorry."

Kaelin looped one of her wife's arms around her neck to get hr to her feet. Kaelin lay down on the reclined hair and gave Laili's hand a firm squeeze. Radella motioned for Kathryn and the Doctor to follow her out.

"Are you sure it will work?"

"Yes. She'll be tired but she'll live. It will take a few days for her to recuperate but she should be fine."

"I'm no expert on your culture, but wouldn't concluding the ritual this way ensure a child could not be conceived?" the Doctor asked.

Radella nodded. "You're correct. There's no chance of conception this way." She looked over at Kathryn and gave her an understanding look. "You think it's a fitting punishment for what she did."

"No. I think she had a desire and she acted upon it in the wrong way."

Back inside, Laili was focusing all of her remaining energy on Kaelin. Kaelin's breathing was even despite the transfer taking place. She had been on the receiving end of the ritual several times before in their two short years together and knew how to control her body. Unlike before, it seemed to end too soon. Laili collapsed against Kaelin's body in utter exhaustion.

"There, there. It's going to be alright," Kaelin whispered as she stroked her partner's hair. She could feel a tear or two slip down Laili's nose.

"I am so sorry."

"Shh. It's alright. We can try again another time."

"I shouldn't have even though of her that way…wanted to…"

Kaelin tilted Laili's head upward until they were eye level. "You did what you thought would make us both happy. I'm not going to be mad at you for that." They shared a watery smile.

Voyager remained in orbit of Saylon for a few extra days to give Laili time to rest up and have enough energy to survive the transport off the ship. The Dreagan gathered in all three Transporter Rooms when the Doctor finally deemed Laili ready for transport. Naomi slipped past Tuvok in Transporter Room One and tugged on Jadira's sleeve. She, Cadi and Sabra turned to bit their new friend farewell.

"Bye." They all wrapped their arms around each other in a group hug before one of the older girls ushered them onto the transporter pad. Naomi stood by the technician and waved goodbye.

Once all of their guests had safely been returned to their homes, Kathryn sat in her Ready Room, staring at her daily log.

Captain's Log- Supplemental

Our Dreagan guests have all been dropped off at home. We've taken on food and supplies as Radella promised and are now returning to our course towards the Alpha Quadrant.

Seven of Nine remains reserved about her experience and rightly so. It was a traumatic experience and a bit more humanity than I believe she was hoping for this early on. Still, I think it was a valuable lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her time on Voyager.