August 2012
Author's Note: This story is also vaguely Seven/Doctor. She's borg, he's a hologram-kinda makes sense, right? Tell me what you think in the review section:)
Seven of Nine marched down the hallway pondering the half an hour she had just spent discussing the art of making conversation with the Emergency Medical Hologram while he performed his weekly examination of her Borg implants. Seven had demanded to know why such skills were considered valuable.
"Because, Seven, interaction and the ability to connect with others is stimulating for the brain. It's important you keep learning after we finish removing your Borg implants," the doctor explained, holding her chin as he scanned her optic implant. As he tweaked it, a shooting pain reverberated through Seven's skull.
"It is irrelevant!" Seven snarled, stepping out of his grasp and bringing her hand to her head. The doctor glared at her. "But I will attempt it. How does one participate in this…conversation?" She said a little less harshly.
The doctor reached for Seven's left hand, which was encrusted with Borg technology. As her nanoprobe-to-blood cell ratio changed, the skin around the metal was becoming irritated and red.
"Conversation is not something that can be planned, Seven, nor is it necessarily efficient." He gently rubbed some anti-inflammatory cream into the sore flesh on Seven's hand. A friendly touch had been a dearth indeed for Seven during her time as a drone, and the emotions it evoked made her want to learn interaction with her fellow humans, irrelevant though it was. "People like to talk about themselves, so comment on something about your companion. After that, it's a matter of where the conversation takes you. And remember to be courteous, use please, thank you's, etcetera. A good talk is the simplest way to show a friend you care." He finished applying the medication and Seven flexed her fingers.
"I understand." She turned to march out of Sickbay but stopped before reaching the door. "Doctor, you have my…gratitude." She frowned slightly as the unfamiliar words passed her lips. Seven turned and strode away.
The doctor smiled.