A/N: Welcome WEclipse, and JaeBard! So I've finished the first draft of Chapter 20 and going back and reading this chapter I realize that I might need to make a cheat sheet with all the little things and changes I've been putting into this story so I can keep things straight going forward. I tend to write with blinders on when I get an idea. This chapter also contains the start of a staff meeting scene which I had no idea were so difficult to write when I began it. I mean, what do you do with 7 or 8 characters just sitting around a room talking? How do you keep them all involved? How do you keep it interesting? It was quite the challenge. I think I did ok. Hope you all enjoy it as well.

Chapter 15- Mornings

Her long, pale, yet elegantly defined limbs began to move. Once again Seven of Nine was finding herself slowing being pulled back into the realm of the awakened. This time she did not find it nearly so frustrating. In fact, she was savouring every moment. There was no soreness or tiredness, only a sense of extreme relaxation. She rolled off her side and briefly tried to untangle her long limbs from the blanket that had twisted around her. Azure blue eyes slowly opened and her dilated pupils contracted in response to the ambient light while taking a quick survey of her surroundings. Her hair was a mess, tangled and plastered to her face in spots covering her artificial eye. Her cotton t-shirt had ridden up and was bunched beneath her breasts exposing her softly toned belly and Borg-enhanced gun metal abdominal ribbing. Her internal chronometer told her that Voyager standard time was 0656 and the lighting inside B'Elanna's bedroom was already starting to brighten to Alpha shift 'daytime'.

I am in B'Elanna's bed.

The realization was a comforting one. She now knew why she had slept so well. As if indulging in a guilty pleasure, she turned and smothered her face in B'Elanna's pillow inhaling the intoxicating scent of the half-Klingon. It was her scent and the softness of her bed that wrapped themselves completely around the ex-drone like the comforting arms of Morpheus and allowed her to sleep deeply for the first time in her life. She let her large smile linger while hidden in the soft pillow.

It was a new scent that had awoken her. This new scent was intriguing and was causing an unfamiliar grumble in her stomach. This new scent was food.

"Come on Princess, your first taste of beauty sleep and you're gonna be late for work? Tsk, tsk." B'Elanna teased from her kitchenette. She had become aware of Seven's awakened state just moments before as she heard her breathing shift. She was planning on gently waking the sleeping woman if she didn't get up in the next five minutes or so anyway.

B'Elanna heard a few soft steps as she turned to set the second plate of hot banana pancakes on her small kitchen table and nearly lost all motor function at the sight before her. There, standing- no leaning- in the doorway from her bedroom to living room was just about the most erotic sight she had ever beheld.

Long blonde hair a tangled mess fell over small shoulders and an alabaster cheek, stray hairs tickling a delicate neck. Small soft points teased the eye through a tight light blue cotton shirt not only enhancing a generous chest but also already seemingly glowing sapphire blue eyes; the cutest 'innie' peeked out from between shirt and tight white cotton shorts not even making it to mid-thigh; a slim fit waste gave way to wonderfully curved hips attached to impossibly long pale legs crossed at the ankles, perfect slender toes wiggling idly while starburst implants highlighting perfect skin seemed to sparkle like flash holocams at a hoverball game.

By Kahless's prominent ridges! ...gwaaaa... * ulp *

B'Elanna was sure that the entirety of her blood had rushed to her head and shut down her cognitive processes. It took a week's worth of willpower to force herself out of her stupor and she managed to gently place the second plate in its place between the utensils without shaking. A large glass of milk already in place completed the setting.

"I... er, um, took the liberty of making breakfast so you could sleep in a bit longer... do you- have you ever had pancakes?"

Real smooth Torres, calm down, she's just a friend who stayed over... yeah, I'll just keep telling myself that, it'll work, right? Don't ask me, I'm your libido and I want to jump her bones. ...you're not helping.

Seven had just felt like taking a moment to watch B'Elanna as she finished preparing breakfast. She was quite pleased at how the uniformed Chief of Engineering responded so... interestingly to her presence. The gesture of breakfast was incredibly kind and although she decided that holding in the smirk was the best idea, she did feel that an appreciative smile was required. Besides, the food smelled like omega to her.

"This is very kind of you, thank you- and no, I have not tried banana pancakes before although I have witnessed you eating them on several occasions." Seven walked over to the table and sat opposite B'Elanna who had quickly sat down after setting Seven's plate.

"Well here at Chateau Torres we provide a full breakfast for our guests." B'Elanna's smile was back and she no longer felt quite so weak in the knees.

"Then I am torn between recommending this fine establishment to all my friends or keeping the secret all to myself." Seven said as she picked up her fork and knife to begin cutting the pancakes. B'Elanna had already poured syrup on hers and was beginning to cut her pancakes into bite sized squares while trying to hide her suddenly shy grin.

"You might want to try some syrup on those as pancakes tend to be a bit dry on their own. I can also replicate a raspberry, na'ran fruit or strawberry sauce if you want, they're also favourites of mine."

"Thank you B'Elanna... did you sleep well? You seem... energetic this morning, perhaps your time away from Engineering has been beneficial? I could always ask the Captain to let me take over some of your shifts if you would like." B'Elanna looked up between bites and narrowed her eyes at the teasing ex-Borg. She let out a playful growl before smiling and digging back into her pancakes for another bite.

"Unless you want to be my limits-testing dummy, I'd suggest leaving Engineering to me. And yes, I did sleep well, but not for long. I do seem to have extra energy now- enough to compete with delusional Borg even." They were both enjoying the back and forth. It seemed now that they understood each other a bit better, it was easier to 'play' and not get actually angry with each other. B'Elanna liked this dynamic much better.

Seven took the opportunity to turn the conversation to a more serious subject. "Actually, if you want, I could make myself available to... help you if you want. The Doctor can be... overzealous and tenacious in his curiosity."

B'Elanna set her fork down and looked at the beautiful woman before her for a moment. "I guess you'd know all about dealing with abilities that are beyond the 'normal' range, huh? I... got a little work out this morning and I seem to be a lot faster and stronger than I was. I don't want to accidentally hurt anyone. How do you control your abilities so well? I've pushed you before and other than that... Son of K'Vok moment, you've never really so much as lifted a finger against me when you could have broken me in half."

Seven noted the pause and momentary aversion of B'Elanna's eyes when she mentioned her workout but decided to leave it alone. Instead, she took a moment to savour her current bite of syrup-covered pancake before responding. She briefly remembered back to that time when she was affected by a Borg Vinculum and tried to 'mate' with B'Elanna. She had apologized for her actions in her own way and the Doctor told her she was not responsible for her behaviour during that time but Seven couldn't help but think that some of those personalities may have somewhat reflected her subconscious desires. She hadn't told the Doctor this.

"...yes, well I have the advantage of a cortical node, tactile sensors and Borg implants that help me control my physical motor skills to exacting precision. I am however, familiar with the physical training techniques of several thousand species. There are some training programs I could write that I believe could help you. I... admit I am very curious about the true extent of your abilities- if that is not inappropriate- I know this is a personal medical issue and that you are a very private person, I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Of course not Seven, you're now just about the only person I feel that I can possibly really relate to, and I don't mean that in a 'because I have no other options' kind of way. I mean that in a 'I keep learning new things about the fascinating person that is Seven of Nine' kind of way." She quickly scarfed down another bite of pancake before continuing. "Speaking of relating to you, I went over a bunch of the data you... re-sent to me this morning along with some of the ideas you had proposed to the Captain. There is some really good stuff in there. How come you never followed up on that pico-bot technology? I think I see some real promise there."

Seven set down her glass of milk and looked somewhat uncomfortable for a fraction of a second before calming down and looking B'Elanna in the eyes. "The pico-bot technology was first theorized by Species 9163, but was not followed up upon due to their... assimilation by the Borg. After I had told Captain Janeway I would not attempt to escape again I decided to try and... present a possible defence against... myself, in order to foster trust between Voyager's crew and myself. I concluded that if I provided you with a weapon against assimilation the crew would be more... receptive to me. Unfortunately the technology is in its infancy and I was unable to fully realize it."

B'Elanna set down her fork. "Oh Seven, I-" She just wanted to hold the tall blonde in her arms and not let her go.

"It is ok, B'Elanna, I believe I have gotten over the bulk of my original insecurities."

"You shouldn't have had to do that on your own... we should have..." Seven reached across the small table and took B'Elanna's hand in her own mirroring the gesture B'Elanna had done to her the night before.

"I did not and I am not. Do not hold yourself to blame for the past, your previous hostile behaviour towards me helped me to learn to 'stand on my own two feet', the past is gone and we can only look to the future- if you want to look at the pico-bot technology in more depth, I would be more than happy to help… I admit I also re-submitted the proposal for further study after the Borg infant had to be put in medical stasis in the hopes of being allowed to research it further myself." Her soft voice and touch clearly showed B'Elanna the true depth of Seven's soul. In that she found the strength to finally overcome the last of her own insecurities. Her smile came back for an encore.

"Yeah, actually I would… has the Doctor still not found a way to help the baby, it's been over a year since she has been put into stasis hasn't it?"

"He has not; the options were to create a Borg incubation chamber and maturation chamber or stasis. It appeared as though the baby was created through a little-used single-cell procreation method, likely when the pathogen first cut off that cube from the Collective. The Doctor could not remove the implants from her and the Captain could not authorize the energy expenditure involved in the use of more Borg technology."

"Well, maybe in time we can do something about that; I've got a couple ideas to run by you, but first, I have a bit of a proposal if you're interested..."

"Computer. Time."

~0945 hours~

B'Elanna furiously finished typing the last of her proposal into the PADD in front of her. She wanted it ready for the Senior Staff meeting at 1000 hours. She was quite pleased at what she'd accomplished already this day.

After her 'talk' with Stanz and Zaaden, she'd gone to Engineering and replicated a uniform to change into in her office so she wouldn't bother Marla Gilmore who was running Gamma shift under the supervision of Lieutenant Susan Nicoletti.

B'Elanna actually had a long argument with Captain Janeway when she put forward the idea of giving Gilmore some more responsibility. Despite being one of the "Equinox Five", Gilmore had been the Chief of Engineering on the Equinox and had made honourable choices when it mattered in B'Elanna's opinion. She could empathize with the woman's situation on a ship where the Captain, XO and rest of the command staff had committed themselves to conducting morally reprehensible research in an attempt to get home. She'd either have been killed, put in the brig or worse in being the only one to stand against the plan. Sixteen months after they joined Voyager's crew and had been stripped of rank, B'Elanna had a talk with the older woman who had impressed her by being the consummate professional and completely dedicated in her work. She learned that Gilmore had resigned herself to the fact that she would be facing charges upon returning to the Alpha Quadrant, but she wanted to arrive back with her head high and not full of anger and resentment like Lessing, Morrow and Tassoni. Sofin was the only other former member of the Equinox crew that had started to make something of himself on Voyager by working in Security under Tuvok's supervision. B'Elanna had argued her position successfully for the probationary trial on Gamma shift. So far, it was working well.

Alone in her office during Gamma shift, B'Elanna spent the next couple hours doing a bit of research and reviewing the information Seven had sent her. In return, she decided to treat the ex-Borg to breakfast to what she thought was spectacular results. Seven had also agreed to her proposal which would undoubtedly aid in selling the idea to Janeway.

On top of that, she arrived to Engineering right before 0800 to find a PADD with not only the pool rations but the list of names of all those who participated in it. 23 Lower-decks crewmen had been betting on Seven's virginity like it was a sport- plus that Ql'yaH* Chakotay. While she had told Stanz that the party for Seven would be their penance, she didn't quite think it was enough. Her word was her bond but it didn't mean she couldn't bend it slightly. It was going to take some creative thinking but she did have an idea.

After getting settled, she'd spent five minutes giving an impromptu 'heads-up' on what happened to her to quell any rumours that might be flying around. Specifics weren't mentioned, but she did say that her temper seemed to be a little more reigned in, but that her fury was not something to incur. The message seemed to get through and she made a joke at her own expense to set her crew at ease. She really did care for all of them despite how hard she often pushed them.

Finishing up her proposal, B'Elanna grabbed a raktajino from her replicator and headed to the Briefing room.

"Vorik, you're in charge."

Lieutenant Sara Myles stood at the back of Voyager's briefing room as the Senior Staff meeting was under way. Tuvok had asked Janeway if she could 'listen in' as it were so that she would be comfortable with the procedure for when she'd be sitting there officially for the next two weeks while Tuvok was off with the Ambassadorial team to the leaders of the Vor'Tin people. Myles was beginning to wonder why no one played cards with the Chief of Security as she thought he was a terrible liar. Still, the athletic redhead didn't really mind the Vulcan's manipulations. It gave her a chance to really observe the senior staff in a way that not many people on Voyager got to. The Captain was at the head of the table, Commander Chakotay on her right, Lieutenant Commander Tuvok on her left with B'Elanna, Seven and the Doctor on Tuvok's side of the table and Harry, Tom and Neelix on Chakotay's side.

As for the Vor'Tin, the only communication they had with the local people in this sector so far had been to set up a diplomatic meeting. The Vor'Tin however insisted that Voyager remain at least five light-years beyond their borders until the passage negotiations were completed. Vor'Tin custom had them host diplomats for two standard weeks so they could 'assess and impress' them. Apparently the short race of hairy humanoids had excessive... pride.

So far, the meeting had proven quite informative for the security officer for several reasons. Tuvok had opened the meeting with his security report, mentioning the upcoming mission and how he wanted Sara to run some tactical 'drills' with the crew during the time Voyager had to wait outside the border of Vor'Tin space. While she was quite excited about the opportunity to run some drills with the crew, it was the brief reaction of Lieutenant Torres that had intrigued Myles.

She had entered the meeting a minute early and after setting her PADDs and raktajino down on the table, she sat herself beside Seven of Nine and both exchanged brief glances and the tiniest of smiles. She then proceeded to surreptitiously stare at Commander Chakotay for the duration of the meeting. Not just stare, but stare daggers- no, not daggers- the look in the Lieutenant's eyes made Myles think that had there not been anyone else in the room, Chakotay might have been reduced to nothing more than a shadow burned into the far wall.

Wow. That is anger and protectiveness if I ever saw it. Something has clearly upset the Chief and it looks like it has to do with Chakotay and Seven.

Oddly though, she observed, Seven had not once looked at the man for more than a second and only displayed mild indifference. Had she not spent any time around the Lieutenant and Seven of Nine, Myles might have thought it was her 'version' of anger, but that wasn't it. The ex-Borg could clearly get angry; this was simply her truly not caring one whit for the Commander.

So what is Lieutenant Torres on about I wonder?

It was a bit later when Tuvok was putting forth his proposal of training exercises that the Chief Engineer's eyebrow lifted and the corner of her mouth turned up ever so slightly. Clearly, Tuvok had given her some kind of inspiration.

"...thank you Seven, it's good to know that if we're going to be stuck outside Vor'Tin territory, we won't have to worry about pirates and the like dogging us for two weeks. Might even do us some good to run some tactical drills. What do you say Lieutenant? Going to run us old farts through the gauntlet now that Tuvok has given you carte blanche?" Janeway threw an amused smile in the direction of the young redhead at the back of the room as Seven sat back down.

"Other than Lieutenant Tuvok, I was under the impression that this room was full of people in their prime, Captain." She felt the smirk and dig at Tuvok were justified.

"Your impression would be incorrect Lieutenant, I am barely one third through the average Vulcan life span which would place my relative age similar to your own."

Janeway laughed. "Grouse all you want 'old friend' flattery overrides logic every time; it's quite refreshing actually."

A brief "Indeed" and the standard raised eyebrow of Vulcan indifference was the only response to the Captain's mirth.

A round of small chuckles and a raised eyebrow from Seven of Nine brought the standard part of the meeting to a close.

"Is there anything anyone wants to add? Before the Doctor gives a brief report on B'Elanna's new... condition, that is." It had been over an hour and Janeway was starting to get serious caffeine withdrawal, she'd only brought one pot of coffee into the Briefing room with her. She had to fight the burgeoning eye twitch as Chakotay took another oblivious sip of the last cup of coffee on the table.

"Actually Captain," B'Elanna spoke up, "Seven and I have a proposal we'd like to present if you don't mind."

"Oh?" The Captain's interest was piqued. When did they have the time to come up with a new proposal...?

"It was the Lieutenant's idea, however I do support it." Seven said trying to give credit where credit was due. B'Elanna quickly reached over and squeezed Seven's forearm under the table. The brief gesture was not lost on the keen observer standing at the back of the room.

"An Orion Mud-wrestling match?"

Tom couldn't help it.

Harry had the decency to blush at the glares from the two women but the grin on Tom's face was going nowhere. Neelix simply looked confused and Chakotay had the decency to look mildly offended. The Doctor fought to contain his curious smile and Tuvok contemplated a reprimand but decided to let the Captain handle the situation as she was used to dealing with the helmsman and Tuvok found little use wasting brainpower in engaging the man-child.

A short glare from the Captain at Tom preceded her self-satisfied smile. "Lieutenant Paris, it seems that Lieutenant Myles has been standing for a while, why don't you be a gentleman and offer the young lady your seat? Your chivalry is legendary after all." Her tone brokered no argument and Tom wasn't as much the fool as some might believe.

"Of course, I was just about to suggest that very thing Captain, thank you for pointing it out." Tom got up and walked over to the smirking Lieutenant Myles and gestured with a bow to his former seat. Let it not be said that Tom Paris did not know how to kiss ass. Myles rolled her eyes as she gladly walked over and took the seat. Captain Janeway tore her glare from Paris briefly to flash a small smile at the young Lieutenant.

Looking back at her two brilliant ladies, Janeway gave them the floor. "Ladies."

End Chapter 15

*Ql'yaH is one of those untranslatable insults that is so powerful it defies definition.