A few hours after the argument between Seven and Icheb, Janeway found her way back to her quarters for the night. Her head was filled with information of the days events. They had found a way to potentially help Seven but not without great risk to Icheb. There was no telling if the procedure would be successful, but the evidence showed favor to Icheb. After a few minutes of thought there was a chip to her comm badge.

"Icheb to Captain Janeway"

"Go ahead Icheb." Janeway replied.

"Please report to Cargo Bay 2" He replied.

Janeway stood up and straightened her tunic and tapped her badge, "I'm on my way." And with that she was out the door.

On the way to the cargo bay Janeway ran into the doctor, who seemed to be heading the same direction.

"I see you've been summoned as well." The doctor said to his captain.

"He won't seem to let this go." She stated. "I know he cares for Seven but-.." Janeway was cut off as they walked through the doors of the cargo bay.

"Icheb!" yelled Janeway.

They both rushed to Icheb who was standing on his alcove convulsing.

"What did you do Icheb?" Janeway said with great concern in her eyes.

"I disconnected my cortical node using my alcove." Icheb said, beginning to sweat profusely.

"This is terribly reckless Icheb." The doctor stated while beginning to scan him.

"Look at your scans. You'll see my systems are already starting to adapt." He replied.

"He's right Captain." Said the doctor. "Help me get him to sickbay"

As they approached sickbay Seven of Nine noticed a distressed looking doctor and captain who were carrying a weakened looking Icheb.

"What happened?" Seven asked.

"Icheb decided to do a little procedure of his own." Replied the doctor.

Seven stared at Icheb. "Why?" She asked.

"Because I want to help you." He replied.

"At your own cost." She snapped back.

"I don't want the node." Icheb stated.

"And I don't want it." Seven replied.

"Well somebody better use the damn thing!" the doctor exclaimed.

Icheb looked at the captain "isn't it starfleets job to help people in need?".

"Whenever we can." Janeway replied.

"Please Seven. Let us help you." Icheb plead.

Seven thought for a moment and reluctantly agreed. The doctor began the procedure with the help of the captain and Lutenient Paris. The procedure took several hours but ended up being successful. It took several days for Seven to recuperate and far longer for Icheb now that his body is relying on his own physiology.

Janeway was relieved that both Seven and Icheb were going to be ok, but she still had that 'off' feeling in her stomach. These last few days were extremely stressful on her. What she didn't understand was why. Why was she so hung up on Seven? Why did the thought of her dying make her feel like life wasn't worth living? Why did her stomach drop every time Seven was injured or in danger?

All her questions she kept asking herself gave no clear answers. Maybe it was just a motherly instinct from when she severed Seven from the collective. Maybe she felt an obligation to her…No…it was more than that. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway." Janeway's thoughts were cut off by the startling hail.

"Go ahead Seven" she replied.

"Please report to Astrometrics." Seven stated.

What could be so important to seven to contact her so late. "On my way." Janeway replied, she had that dropped stomach feeling again.