Seven's cotton dress blew in the wind as she stood on the jetty just below the rocky prison that held her two prisoners. The sea air tickled her nose as she glanced up but knew they could not reach the tiny window that illuminated their prison to see her standing guard outside. Starfleet was scouring the city for her by now but she knew she had to stay discreet until her final plan played out.

She watched the waves crash against the rocks and then noticed a male figure approaching as he walked along the beach. He stopped to pick up a few seashells and tossed them into the churning water. He glanced up at her and nodded.

Seven did not return his friendly gesture. Instead, she carefully walked down from atop her rocky perch and slowly made her way back to her beachside cottage. She walked onto the old porch and listened to the wood creak underneath her bare feet as seagulls screeched above her. She opened the wooden door and walked inside securing the primitive latch behind her.

"Hello."

Seven tensed as Chakotay peeked his head around the corner. She slowly allowed a smile to spread across her face. "Hello. I must have forgotten to deactivate you."

Chakotay frowned and walked up to her. He placed his arms around her waist and said, "I don't like it when you do that."

"Perhaps I will not do it any longer."

"Good." He leaned down to kiss her and watched her face turn from joy to confusion to anger. He felt her hard shove as she pushed away from him.

"Chakotay! You're…you're real."

His face darkened as he stepped towards her. "You bet I am. Real enough to be the most dangerous enemy you've ever faced."

Seven smirked. "I doubt that. How did you find me?"

"The restaurant. It was our first date when we got back home. Now, where's Kathryn?"

Seven glanced around the small room. "I suppose Starfleet is going to come racing in here at any moment. Take me into custody. I won't say a word and she will die."

"I know. You'll let Kathryn and Admiral Paris die wherever they are if you haven't already."

Seven smiled. "Oh they're alive. For now. And they'll stay that way unless you leave me."

Chakotay looked at her. "Leave you? You mean as long as I'm here you won't hurt them? Is that what is? Leverage for making me stay with you?"

"You belong with me, not her. You already rejected her. She rejected you. She changes her mind and you go back. Well, I change my mind and now you must come back to me!"

Chakotay considered her for a moment. Her blonde hair had been tousled by the wind and she looked quite beautiful in her plain summer dress and bare feet. Such beauty outside concealing such darkness within. "Seven, have you been to see the Doctor?"

"My implants are functioning quite well. Tell me why those rules apply only to her."

"Are you sure?" Seven bristled and put her hands on her hips. Chakotay put his hands up. "I'm just asking because the rules do apply to you. But, if we are going to have a future together, I'd like to have you around for it."

"You are being obtuse."

Chakotay blinked. "I'm not sure I know what that means."

"You are playing a game with me. You will stay here until you can figure out where she is. You don't really want me."

Chakotay smiled and stepped up close. "That's exactly right. I'm not leaving here until you tell me where she is."

Seven returned his smile. "You won't find her or him."

"I promise you I will."

"Just like the promise you made to always be by my side? To never leave me? I can ensure they will both be dead by the time you figure it out."

Chakotay's dark eyes searched her blue ones. "Why are you punishing innocent people for something I did? If I'm the one you want, let me take their place. Let them go, Seven. I'll stay with you."

"You don't mean that."

"I absolutely do. If you'll bring them back here, let me make sure they're okay and I'll stay with you, in their place."

Seven turned and paced the room. Chakotay watched her consider his offer. Finally, she said, "No, they can not come here. But I will take you to them and you will watch them leave."

"Fine. Let's go."

Seven stood silent and folded her arms across her chest.

"Seven?" Chakotay said. "I agree. Let's go."

Seven slowly shook her head. "You love her," she whispered. She steadied herself and raised her voice up as she said, "That is unacceptable."

In an instant, she pulled a small knife she had concealed on her person under her arm and flung it at him. The blade stuck dead in Chakotay's chest and he cried out, stumbled back, and clutched at it. Blood trickled and stained his uniform a deeper red as he began to breathe heavy.

Seven stared at him as he dropped to his knees. "Oh no. You can't die yet. You have to do it properly." She heard the voices of security personnel approaching their location. She grabbed a personal transponder from a nearby table and grasped his wrist. Pressing it, she watched the golden beam envelop them just as her front door swung open and the phaser fire began.