A/n: This might be my last update for a few days because I'm having foot surgery on Wednesday (9th of May 2012) and will need time to recover from that. I'll try to update something tomorrow if I have time though. Better news is that Anniexus has published THREE great new C/7 stories, "Homeward Bound", "Coming Out" and "The Death of Seven of Nine". The last one is tragic, as the title indicates, but they're all really good! :D

Seven of Nine walked into Sickbay to find the Doctor pacing around aimlessly, thoughtfully tapping information into a PADD as sang enthusiastically along to an aria from "Madame Butterfly" that boomed out from the room's speakers. Part of her, the part that was inclined to exhibit human cowardice, saw the hologram's distraction as a chance to abandon her goal and leave it undone, maintaining the status quo as it were, but the determination which was also a definitive part of her character kept her feet planted firmly on Sickbay's pristine floor. She'd already spent a great deal of the past week, and all of today since Chakotay's arrival at Naomi's ballet class, weighing this decision and it struck her as…inefficient to ignore the outcome of all that deliberation, unnerving though it was. So, she cleared her throat to draw attention to herself, sighing when the Doctor, lost in his own world, remained oblivious. "Doctor…" she began to say, her voice then being blocked out by a particularly loud instrumental. "Doctor!" she exclaimed, her frayed nerves making her voice sharp.

That got the Doctor's attention quickly enough and he spun around to face in surprise. "Seven!" he greeted with his usual effusiveness, stiffening suspiciously as he saw her stony expression, "What's wrong?"

Seven pursed her lips slightly and waved impatiently at the speakers. The Doctor had enough grace to blush and hurriedly silenced the music. "Sorry about that, I can get a little carried away sometimes…" Seven merely arched an eyebrow at the understatement of that comment as he continued, "What can I do for you today? You're not due a maintenance check for a another three days and I know you better than to assume you want that moved forward…" He gave a dry chuckle, peering at her inquisitively when he saw her swallow nervously.

"This issue is more…specific than my general maintenance Doctor." She admitted, averting her gaze from his, "Do you recall three months ago when we discussed methods of having my emotional failsafe removed…"

The Doctor's face brightened considerably in anticipation, making a striking contrast with Seven's more strained, sombre features. "Of course I remember Seven." He interrupted gently, taking her by the elbow and guiding her further into the room, "Can I presume you're here because you've reconsidered your decision not to remove it?" He looked at her searchingly, mentally praying that he was right, for her sake.

"You can." Seven answered tightly as not a little fear seeped into her pale blue eyes. "Do…Do you still believe it to be possible?"

"Definitely!" The Doctor replied without a pause, the suddenness and strength of his answer making Seven jump back from him slightly. He gave her a warm, reassuring smile as he walked to his desk, producing a PADD from a locked drawer. "Actually, in anticipation of your "change of heart"…" He emphasised the phrase pointedly but was still startled by the tiny blush that coloured her cheeks for a moment before she suppressed it, "I've been working on a way to perfect the removal process. I'm now reasonably sure I can do it for you in a single operation rather than in stages like we discussed before."

Seven was surprised by the sheer force of the wave of relief that washed over her. It seemed to contradict the fears that still lay coiled in her heart. "When can you do it?" she finally asked him firmly.

The Doctor fought the urge to beam at her, not wanting to seem triumphant. Instead he settled for another encouraging smile, "We can do it now if you'd like."

"Now?" Seven echoed uncertainly, "Will I be released by 1930 hours?"

"1930 hours?" The Doctor queried, eyebrows reaching his balding scalp, "That's quite specific, have you got plans?"

Seven couldn't suppress a grimace, instantly regretting her indiscretion. The Doctor wouldn't let such a mystery lie and she doubted Chakotay wanted what was probably only an innocent meeting to become fuel for the infamous Voyager rumour mill. "Yes, I have plans." She answered stoically, keeping her gaze cool and detached as she pressed, "Will I have to postpone them?"

The Doctor prided himself on upholding the right to a patient's privacy, but still felt disappointment needle him painfully when Seven so blatantly refused to confide in him, although if he were honest with himself that was the norm between them, where emotions were concerned at least. "No, not at all, it's only just past 1500 hours. You should be out of here by 1730 at the latest." He told her cheerily, able to satisfy himself with the fact that she was getting the operation.

Seven breathed a soft sigh. "Good. Please proceed then Doctor." She looked at that moment as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and even smiled to herself, her gaze distant and thoughtful. Reality hit the Doctor at that moment. The Captain had been right when she'd advised him, just two days ago; to let the candle he was holding for Seven to go out. He'd been offended at the time, as offended as he could be with such a well-meant, sympathetic warning as Captain Janeway's had been. She hadn't told him outright of course, but he'd known his commanding officer long enough to know when the Captain anticipated a change in the air. It stung to think that Seven was more than likely going on a date that night, hurt like hell actually, but in his heart of hearts he'd always known it would happen eventually. He only had to hope that, since the Captain seemed to be aware of and content with the possibility, the lucky man was worthy. He sighed heavily, consoling himself with the thought that Kathryn Janeway was never going to allow her surrogate daughter to become involved with a psycho or a sociopath. He didn't realise Seven had been watching him as this thought process passed through his mind until she spoke again, "Why did you believe I would recant on my decision about the failsafe Doctor?" she asked quietly.

"Well…" The Doctor paused for a moment, feeling her curious eyes on him, "I thought you just needed time to come to terms with what happened with the Chakotay hologram, and all the new emotions that stirred up." He said honestly, "You've always accepted change in time." She shot him a surprised look and he laughed, "You'd still be in the Brig now if you didn't!" he reminded her.

Seven glanced down ruefully, "I suppose you are correct." She conceded.

"I am." He muttered firmly before meeting her eyes sheepishly, "I also just hoped you'd come to your senses. I thought you had when I saw your ballet and I was right."

"My ballet did…push things forward." Seven murmured, although really she'd come to believe it was the people around her at that time, one person in particular, who'd helped her make the transition.

"I'm glad, although it was a surprise to me…" The Doctor replied, unable to keep the grumble from his tone.

Seven sensed his hurt and knew that, as with the Captain and the rest of the crew, she'd have to placate it. "I…apologise for hiding it from you Doctor, I realise that is not what friends are supposed to do, but it was very private…"

The Doctor patted her arm as she moved to the biobed. "I understand." He assured her. "Now, let's get started on ridding you of this damned failsafe shall we?"

Seven shifted awkwardly in front of the new mirror she'd installed in the Cargo Bay. Guilt had prickled her at the idea of using her replicator rations to indulge in vanity, but tonight it felt like a necessity, when the outfit she was using it to assess had spent the rest of said replicator rations. She couldn't really reprimand herself for that, she liked the dress, loved it even. The blush still lingered on her cheeks from when she'd impulsively done a twirl, for no other reason than to see the skirt flare out, and had been excessively complimented by Naomi afterwards. She had to hope that Chakotay would like it just as much… She stopped that thought in its tracks, fear again fluttering in her stomach that the Commander expected her to turn up with her tricorder to fix a fault in the holodecks rather than play a part in a programme.

She checked her internal clock. 1923 hours. She'd already decided to err on the side of caution and be early so she really should leave. Still, she hovered, rearranging her loose hair around her shoulders for the fifth time. Old Borg ideals of efficiency and self containment rebelled against this relaxed hairstyle but she ignored them. It was too late to re-pin her hair now anyway. 1925 hours passed and she walked as hurriedly as she could in her new unfamiliar heels towards Holodeck 2.

Chakotay felt sick. So sick in fact that it reminded him of his prom night when he'd stood outside Melody Clearwater's door for nearly fifteen minutes, making them late, because he was so paralysed by nerves. Thankfully, he could move this time, enough at least to type last minute changes to his holo-programme into the console. He'd already perfected it as much as possible, but it gave him something to do other than stare at the clock and wait. What if she'd misunderstood him? What if she did even know this was a date? He hadn't exactly been clear on that…

"Chakotay?" He jumped and turned around, thinking involuntarily that his name sounded particularly appealing when she said it, only to feel his mouth drop conspicuously open when his eyes caught sight of her. She definitely hadn't misunderstood him…

A/n: PLEASE REVIEW! :D I know you expected the big date in this chapter but I feel that deserves its own chapter and I had to deal with that failsafe first so it could be a really good date! If anybody has any ideas for that dress which struck Chakotay speechless at the end let me know and I might incorporate them.