Notes: On Chapter 11- I had originally written it in a very straight-forward manner and it was all business. After re-reading it a few times, I just felt like there would *have* to be more said and not only that, but that each of their personalities needed to be brought out more and their effects on each other needed to be a bit more pronounced. That is why B'Elanna's sort of scattered thinking process causes so many distractions which starts to rub off on Seven and Seven's straight-forward manner rubs off a bit on B'Elanna who keeps trying to reign herself in and get things back on track. Does that make any sense?

I'm honestly not crazy about this chapter. I just wanted to get through this Chakotay business with Seven quickly so she can move on to better things- Seven is not one to waste time where it is not needed. Chakotay's suffering shall become an ongoing theme however. I prefer the second half of the chapter myself.

Oh and sorry for the delay, Skyrim and The Old Republic MMO beta testing has had me distracted.

Chapter 12- Breakups and Bedtime Stories

Seven of Nine arrived at the entrance to Chakotay's quarters at exactly 1900 hours. She felt ready as she could be and rang the chime.

"Come in."

Seven entered the Commander's quarters to find Chakotay sitting at his desk going over the next day's duty roster. Seeing Seven enter, he immediately jumped to his feet, put on his most charming smile- he thought- and practically bounded to the lithe woman's side.

"Seven! No one told me you were finished regenerating. Come in, you must be hungry."

It seems you made very little effort on your own Commander. Seven retreated from the impending embrace so she could do what she came to do and move on. Lingering was inefficient.

"Commander, I do not require nutritional supplements at this time and I merely wish to speak with you. Perhaps you would prefer to sit?" She pointed to the nearest chair and walked into the middle of the living room leaving the large man open mouthed near the doorway.

What the...? She better not think about doing what I think she's about to do. Commander Chakotay moved slowly to a chair and sat facing Seven. Pushing his doubts aside, he summoned another manufactured smile in an attempt to be charming. "What's this all about? I have a wonderful evening planned that we can enjoy anytime you want, I was also thinking-"

"Commander, I apologize for interrupting, however I feel that I need to properly express my intentions. While I have learned much from our previous 'dates' and appreciate the kindness you have shown me, I do not feel a growing romantic attraction with you and would like to simply remain friends who shared mutual enjoyable experiences." Seven thought that went pretty well, a mild bout of internal smugness giving her a warm sense of satisfaction. Her lessons in 'tact' from B'Elanna were well utilized.

Perhaps I shall tell B'Elanna about this success at another time.

However well intentioned, Seven's break-up speech did not go over well with the burly ex-Maquis. His smile faltered. He believed he had too much invested into this 'relationship' to get nothing out of it and was too proud to simply let go. Desperation flushed his face as he stood and approached Seven.

"You can't mean that Seven. Don't be afraid of your emotions, you can let yourself go with me. I-"

"Commander, this is not about my being afraid of my emotions, simply that you do not inspire in me required emotions necessary to remain in a relationship with you. It is not your fault; I have concluded that I simply can not become romantically attached to a male." Seven interrupted the commander hoping the truth would help him see that it was for the best.

So it is not so easy. B'Elanna said as much; I must stay the course.

"How do you know I don't inspire emotion in you? You haven't given me the chance!" Chakotay was starting to get frustrated. It was all coming to a head, his loss of rations, being deflected by the Captain at ever turn and now it looked like he wasn't even going to get to enjoy the Borg.

"I'm sorry Commander and I thank you for the time we have spent together but it is over and I have other appointments tonight." Seven gave a slight nod to the tall man and turned to leave. Chakotay snapped.

"Do you know what I invested into you!" He grabbed Seven and tried to force his lips on to hers. Seven reacted on instinct grabbing his right wrist and placing her right hand on his chest she pushed, toppling Chakotay over a chair and onto his coffee table which shattered under the weight of the impact. Seven's last ounce of respect for the man disappeared the moment he grabbed her arm. Remembering B'Elanna's words she spoke once more before leaving the room.

"I have done my best to be respectful of you Commander. You do not have to 'like' this situation and it was not my intention to harm you emotionally however, I am fully capable of making my own decisions and currently I do not wish to spend another moment of my free time with someone who so clearly sees me as little more than an object."

It was a moment of truth for Chakotay. He could fly into a rage and attack a woman who could literally break him in half without much effort. He could threaten to have her thrown in the brig for assaulting a superior officer but he knew that he had tried to force himself on her and that he would likely end up on charges himself. Seven had made up her mind and there would be no changing it. The Borg was stubborn that way. Shame briefly made its way on to his features. Damn, blew that one. At least she didn't find out about the betting pool. I guess she's more adjusted than I ever gave her credit for given her nature. Or she's just crazy.

He watched the door close on Seven's shapely behind as he picked himself up off the shattered remains of his coffee table carefully. None the worse for wear except for a few scratches, he went to get his private dermal generator and begin cleaning the mess. He just couldn't figure out why she couldn't fall for a catch like himself.

Not attracted to males? The Borg really screwed with her brain, pfft. Definitely something wrong with her if she can't find me attractive. Her loss. I'll have to have a little `talk' with Stanz and get those rations back... maybe tomorrow.

Seven was disappointed in Chakotay even though B'Elanna had warned her that the response from Chakotay might happen. She felt better about how she handled the situation though, even if she did have to throw the man over a chair.

I do not believe he will take action against me. It was a clear case of self-defence and I saw a look that can only be categorized as shame on his face as I was leaving. Perhaps he regrets his actions? I will make a peaceful overture in a few days in an attempt to salvage a working relationship with him.

Her next stop of the evening was to check in on Icheb who was sharing a room with Ensign Vorik now that he no longer needed to regenerate. The reunion was as energetic as two ex-Borg and a Vulcan could make it with pleasantries exchanged and awkward overtures of gratitude that Seven was "functioning within normal parameters". She left their quarters and headed to the Wildman quarters to visit her young friend before she had to 'regenerate' for the evening.

"SEVEN!" Naomi sprang off the couch as the door opened admitting the tall blonde sending PADDs and stuffed animals flying. Samantha Wildman had to nearly dive out of the way as the tiny Ktarian leaped at Seven who caught her easily and eagerly accepted the hug from the young Captain's Assistant with a smile.

"Seven, are you functioning within acceptable parameters?" Seven set the young girl back down on her feet before answering. Naomi immediately assumed the `Seven at-ease' stance mimicking her idol who straightened into her signature stance as well. Seven glanced to Sam who rolled her eyes with a smile and turned to go to Naomi's bedroom.

"I am. I wished to see you tonight before you needed to regenerate. Would you like me to inform the 'bed bugs' that they are not to consume you as a nutritional supplement this evening?" The slight smirk and raised implanted brow brought giggles from Naomi as she raced into her room where her mom had been preparing her bed. "Sure!"

Seven and Naomi talked for another hour as Seven told the tale of her fight with the reptilian creature during the away mission. At Naomi's insistence that she 'make it more exciting', she added a battle with a second and third creature for dramatic effect. B'Elanna's involvement was also embellished as Seven gestured in a very un-Seven-like manner with her arms describing the heroics of the small half-Klingon. For B'Elanna's final dramatic line of dialogue, Seven lowered her voice in an attempt to sound like a serious B'Elanna Torres.

"Reptilian creature, you attacked without honour; you shall be deactivated!" Seven made some dramatic death sounds and flopped over in mock death imitating the creature as Naomi was beside herself at Seven's antics.

After a final bedtime song, Seven tucked Naomi into bed and said her goodbyes to Sam who also expressed her thanks that Seven was alright and so good with her daughter.

Walking from the Wildman quarters, Seven found that while she had the energy to go to Astrometrics and work through the night until her shift in the morning, she was somewhat emotionally drained from the evening. From the comfortable and informative time she had spent with B'Elanna to the emotionally difficult time with Chakotay and finally the enjoyable time spent with Naomi. Wandering seemingly aimlessly, Seven briefly considered heading to the Captain's quarters to have one of their 'philosophical discussions'. The idea, however, now seemed to hold less appeal for her than it used to. Her discussions with the Captain had at first been comfortable because Seven was simply curious about human behaviour and the Captain was very patient in explaining confusing concepts to her. Over time though, Seven was beginning to feel that the discussions were becoming somewhat 'sterile' and predictable. The Captain was always willing to explain her point of view, but she lacked a certain passion and intrigue that Seven was finding herself more responsive to. Seven was starting to understand that the Captain was often simply satisfied to have her in the same room with her. It was one of the reasons Seven decided to take the Captain up on her suggestion of dinner. She suspected that there would not be a significant change in their interaction because of it and hoped the Captain would see it as well. Before she knew it, Seven found herself at the door to B'Elanna's quarters and the time was approaching 2100 hours.

B'Elanna was on her seventh blood wine and still feeling rather in control of her motor functions. Ha! And I thought I could drink before! Hmmmm, I wonder who I can sucker out of some rations in a drinking contest... Her thoughts were interrupted by the chime at her door. She was puzzled for less than a second as her nostrils flared and her enhanced sense of smell told her with a smile just who was standing behind the door.

"Come in Seven."

As Seven entered she quirked her brow and was about to ask how B'Elanna had known it was her but the sight of the grinning half-Klingon tapping her nose splayed out on the couch seemed to be enough of an answer.

"I hope I'm not bothering you... B'Elanna." Seven made her way to one of the chairs and sat down on the edge facing the Lieutenant with her back ramrod straight and her hands on her knees.

"Not at all, just testing my new-found synthahol tolerance." B'Elanna set her cup down on the table and sat up with her back on the armrest of the couch and straightened her legs along the length of the couch. "Probably not what the Doc had in mind for testing, but we both know how much of a killjoy he is..." She wiggled her toes absently and thought briefly about commenting on Seven's posture but was loosened enough by the synthahol to let her curiosity over Seven's evening get the better of her instead. "How did it go with Chakotay?"

Seven seemed to stiffen slightly before relaxing the tiniest of fractions. "It... he responded in a manner you would have described as 'he did not take it like a man', but I made myself clear and I believe he understood that our 'relationship' is now over. He seemed ashamed that I was able to see that is intentions were not entirely noble." Seven decided that she would not mention his attempted kiss and her ensuing push. I will let that be between us and hopefully it will never have to be brought up.

B'Elanna felt another surge of protectiveness flare within her and sensed there was more to what Seven was saying, but her friend seemed none the worse for wear- her hair was still perfect after all. " Did you sock him in the jaw? Cause I'd have loved to see that." She snickered briefly as her eyes unfocused and she imagined Seven clocking Chakotay. It gave her tingly feelings all over.

"Yeah, I'd have paid to see that."

Seven intentionally quirked her silver brow. "No B'Elanna, there was no 'socking', 'clocking', 'giving him what for' or any 'engaging in fisticuffs'." Technically it wasn't a lie.

"Heh, ok Miss Ancient Thesaurus-slash-Sayings Expert, so how about the rest of your evening then, did you see Spikes?"

Seven smiled and told B'Elanna about the rest of her evening visiting both Icheb and Naomi. B'Elanna laughed when Seven told the tale of how she embellished their story and Seven thought B'Elanna's laugh was one of the most wonderful things she had ever heard.

"THAT's the story I'll be telling everyone!" B'Elanna was beside herself, completely blown away by Seven's creativity and enthusiasm. "Although we both know that I wouldn't have said that bit about 'deactivating' the creature." Seven felt a great satisfaction welling within her knowing she was the cause of the brunette's joy instead of anger as she responded, "Yes, well I felt that Samantha Wildman would not appreciate me teaching her daughter a multitude of Klingon and human curse words." Her pointed look let B'Elanna know she would not tolerate the Chief Engineer swearing around the young impressionable child.

B'Elanna only laughed harder.

After having finished her story, Seven felt it was time to leave but didn't really want to. B'Elanna noticed the shift in her friend's emotions almost immediately. Her smile faded a fraction as her concern for her friend took over.

"What's the matter Sev?"

"I... I find myself reluctant to leave. While I could go to Astrometrics, I do not wish to and I do not wish to go to Cargo Bay 2 either but I do not want to 'take up your time' as you no doubt must be ready to regener... sleep."

"Why don't you get some rest yourself then? Seems like you've had an exhausting night- emotionally speaking."

"I was unable to sleep successfully in my previous attempts and I find Sickbay to be detrimental to the entire experience." Seven began to rub her hands together as she tried not to stare at B'Elanna's legs as the small brunette turned her length on her side, propping her head in her right hand. Her left leg bent at the knee as her foot scratched her right calf absently as she looked almost through Seven of Nine.

Of course, the only times she's tried to sleep it's been on a biobed in Sickbay with the Doctor hovering nearby.

B'Elanna made up her mind. "Seven, why don't you sleep here tonight, you can have my bed and I'll take the couch- don't argue, this couch is too short for you and I've curled up here more than once. Oh and there are a couple things that I need from you before I forget to ask."

"What things?" Seven was inwardly shocked at the invitation but wanted to understand what B'Elanna might want in return.

B'Elanna got the idea that Seven's tone indicated that she thought B'Elanna wanted something from her- like everyone had Seven's whole life. "Don't worry, I'm not asking for payment here, I'm offering you a place to sleep tonight and that is unconditional. What I want to ask is when you get time in the next few days... if, er, you can, um, re-submit every single engineering proposal you've ever sent to me, I also want anything you may have sent to the Captain even if it was a partial idea... I may have, um, misplaced the previous PADDs you sent me." Her voice got sheepish as her guilt and embarrassment over her previous summary dismissal of the bulk of Seven's previous ideas crept to the surface.

She looked everywhere but at Seven.

Seven saw how B'Elanna was once again apologizing, this time in a more Klingon fashion and it made her feel incredibly warm. How B'Elanna was able to spark such emotion in her she was only beginning to understand.

This whole crazy evening had been a lot for her to process but she knew one thing for certain: that she did in fact want to stay. So she responded with the only word she could manage to say at the moment.

"Acceptable."

End Chapter 12

***I can't believe my first draft of this chapter had Chakotay making a 'hero turn'... I think I prefer him as a douchebag who is gonna get a constant bit of comeuppance.***