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Switched
Chapter 6
"I hate to bring the subject up again," the Doctor said as he sat with Kathryn on her hotel balcony that evening, "but now that we're home, we're going to have to disclose what we know about your parentage."
"I'm aware of that," Kathryn replied, "but there's plenty of time. Right now my concern is Chakotay." Carefully, she poured herself a cup of hot black coffee. "And he's the reason I called you over."
"You offend me, Captain," the Doctor teased. "I thought it was for my company."
Kathryn looked up at him with a wan smile. "That too."
"I'm glad, because if I'm here in a professional capacity, I must advise you, yet again, to cut down on the coffee."
"And deny myself my only pleasure in life? A girl's got to have some vice. But enough about me. Have you seen Chakotay since this morning?"
"No," the Doctor answered.
"Neither have I. And I'm worried. He said he was only meeting Seven for the afternoon but it's almost 7pm. I tried to call him but I got no response."
"I imagine he and Seven have a lot to discuss."
"Yes, but what if he is unable to discuss it?"
The Doctor frowned. "How do you mean?"
"Well, if Seven was linking with him without his knowledge or consent, what could her reason be? I can only think of one. To manipulating his behavior in some way, to make him behave in ways she wants him too."
"It's certainly possible," the Doctor conceded, "but it's also possible she was just probing his mind to find out his likes and dislikes so she could please him. Remember that Seven has the knowledge and customs of countless species in her brain. While she's come a long way in recovering her humanity, her judgment and actions are still affected by the knowledge she possesses."
"Exactly. You and I would never dream of manipulating someone's mind to make them do what we want, but in Seven's perception of things it might be justifiable."
"Then why run away?" the Doctor asked. "If she felt she was doing no wrong, why flee?"
Kathryn took a sip of her coffee. "I throw that question back at you."
"Embarrassment at being caught."
"Precisely."
The Doctor considered this a moment. "But for what reason would she try to manipulate Chakotay's behavior?"
"Think about it, Doctor. Chakotay has been suffering from headaches for the past few weeks. In these few weeks he has also become romantically attached to Seven. Coincidence?"
The Doctor's holographic eyes widened. "You think Seven's been manipulating his mind to make him attracted to her?"
"I think it's possible. Chakotay has never shown any romantic interest in Seven and since all this started he's been acting way out of character."
"That's certainly true," the Doctor agreed. "He hasn't been himself lately."
"And if I'm right, the question is how do we undo the damage she's done? In the Admiral's timeline Chakotay was devoted to her until he died."
"It depends what kind of mind-control technique she's been using," the Doctor surmised, "if she has indeed been using mind-control. Sometimes the effects wear off in time, sometimes the effects are permanent unless they are reversed using the same technique...like undoing hypnosis with hypnosis. And if her purpose in linking with the Commander was to influence his romantic attractions, the fact that she's needed to link with him more than once, suggests that either the effects wear off or she has struggled to perfect her technique. If the effects wear off, and quickly, then without further linkage the Commander should be back to himself in no time. But if Seven has managed to perfect her technique, and her intention was permanent manipulation, then the only way to reverse the damage may be a memory purge."
"Then let's hope Seven's still an amateur," Kathryn replied.
"And let's hope Chakotay has successfully confronted her," the Doctor added. "If Seven has been brainwashing him to idolize her, he may not even have raised the issue with her."
"Precisely what I meant, Doctor. But if he hasn't, you can count on it that I will."
When 23:00 hours came and Chakotay had still not made an appearance, Kathryn decided to wait for him in his room. She was desperately worried about him. No one knew where he was, except with Seven, and she was unable to locate or contact him. What if Seven had tried to link with him again and something had gone wrong injuring them both?
But just before midnight, the room's silver doors opened and Chakotay came in. He was casually dressed in a white t-shirt over black pants and Seven was with him, uncharacteristically wearing a pretty green sundress. They were laughing and giggling like children and when they stepped into the darkened room, Chakotay took her in his arms and kissed her. The sight wrenched Kathryn's heart and for a moment paralyzed her with pain. Then her senses kicked in and she coughed for their attention.
Immediately the doting couple separated and turned towards her.
"Kathryn..." Chakotay said in surprise.
"That's me," Kathryn replied. "The question is, who are you?"
Chakotay flinched. "What do you mean?"
"Ask Seven."
Kathryn glared at Seven and the former Borg swallowed.
"When I saw you here this morning you were performing some kind of mind-control technique on Chakotay, weren't you?"
"No," Seven stammered. "I..."
Kathryn stepped forward. "Don't lie to me, Seven. The Doctor and I have figured it all out."
Chakotay spoke now. "I can explain. Seven was trying to cure my headaches."
Kathryn looked up at him. "Is that what she told you?"
"Yes. And I believe her." His face hardened. "And I don't appreciate you coming in here uninvited and making such ridiculous accusations."
"She's brainwashed you, Chakotay," Kathryn argued. "She's messed with your emotions."
"And your proof?"
"Your behavior. This isn't you, Chakotay. You don't love Seven."
"And who made you doctor of my heart? Seven is my life. I love her more than anything."
Kathryn turned back to the former drone. "You've got to stop this, Seven, before it's too late. What you've done is a terrible violation of Chakotay's individuality. It isn't love to manipulate someone's emotions and it isn't love to be loved by manipulation. Love has to be given freely, heart to heart not link to link. If you really care for Chakotay you will confess what you've done and help put it right."
"I will not stand here and let you speak to Seven like this," Chakotay said angrily. "I want you to leave."
Kathryn tried to protest. "But Chakotay she's..."
"Now!"
Kathryn sighed. It was clear she was not going to make any progress right now. She would have to retreat and think of a new method of assault.
Chakotay pressed open the doors and without a word Kathryn walked passed the hostile couple and left.
END OF CHAPTER SIX