A/n: I'm still recovering but I'm feeling a lot better so here's a new chapter! Thanks again for the good wishes everyone.

Seven felt the blood from her suddenly racing heart rush up to her face as Chakotay continued to stare at her without speaking. Normally she appreciated silence, but knew from her experience with the crew that most humans didn't. They talked at every opportunity, especially in greeting. She cast a furtive glance down at herself, wondering if she'd misjudged the attractiveness of her outfit or if it had been damaged somehow on the journey to the holodeck. "Is there something wrong Commander?" she mumbled sheepishly.

Her quiet words acted as bucket of ice water over Chakotay's head and he rapidly came back to his senses. "What? No!" he assured her vehemently, upset by the fact that she could so drastically misread his embarrassingly obvious goggling, did she still not realise how stunning she was? Yet, he acknowledged to himself with an internal smile, he still found her shyness endearing. He forced his shaky legs into a few steps forward towards her, meeting her pensive gaze honestly. "You look…" He had to swallow slightly, "…amazing." He wasn't flattering her; in fact he believed he was making an understatement. In his eyes, in anyone's eyes, she truly did look beautiful. Seven was wearing a relatively simple black cocktail dress, one shouldered with a straight neckline. The bodice emphasised her waist until the skirt flared out to just past her knees. The only embellishments were some embroidered black lace on the bodice and on the hem as well as a sparkling brooch on the shoulder. He gently took her hand as he explained what he felt, stepping closer. "You mesmerised me when you came in, there's certainly nothing wrong with that is there?"

Seven felt a smile come easily to her lips as she heard the warmth in his voice as well in as the grip of his strong hand. "No, I wouldn't say there was." She agreed softly, looking up at him before blushing at her forwardness and averting her gaze downwards again, "I cannot take sole credit for the choice. Naomi and Samantha Wildman helped me select the dress."

Chakotay gave an unintentionally husky chuckle, "Remind me to thank them then…"

Seven herself was struck dumb for a moment as she was caught up in his dimpled, self-deprecating grin as he said this but hurriedly recovered. "I will." She replied firmly, surprised by the teasing note in her own tone and how it made him laugh heartily. She realised with a smile of her own that she found eliciting that reaction from him a pleasure. Needing time to sort through these overwhelming emotions, she glanced around the inactive holodeck curiously, "You said you had a particular programme to show me?"

"Oh…yes, yes I do." Chakotay hurriedly confirmed, feeling sheepish. He didn't want to admit he'd forgotten all about the programme he'd spent hours designing. However, he saw from Seven's mildly raised eyebrows that she could tell what he was thinking and flushed as he headed for the console.

Despite Chakotay's memory lapse, the programme activated within a second of him pressing in the command. Seven immediately gasped in delight and surprise as she saw the world which had formed around him. They stood together in the eaves of the most opulent building she'd ever seen, even in the holodeck. Tiered seating fanned out below the in layers of curved balcony and rows of floor-level seats were visible below that, brushing against an orchestra pit and then a stage which was half hidden by a rich burgundy curtain."A theatre…" Seven breathed in disbelief, spinning around to face Chakotay, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Her reaction had far exceeded his expectations.

"It's a holographic version of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York." Chakotay clarified, still grinning. "Don't worry." He added knowingly, "Tonight you get to enjoy being part of the audience."

Seven laughed, startling herself. "That's good to hear, I've rarely had an opportunity to do that recently." She pulled at her hair nervously, thinking she'd spoken immodestly. "Of course, I could never perform…"

"You could." Chakotay cut in, his dark eyes serious as he studied her prettily rosy face. "But I'd like you to stay with me this evening."

"I'd like that too." Seven murmured, her voice growing thick as she heard the affection in his tone. "Where would you like to sit?" she asked quickly, trying to cover up the effect he'd had on her.

"The best seats in the house of course." Chakotay answered as he began to step down into the theatre's dress circle, extending his hand out to help her.

Seven gave him a grateful smile as she took the offered hand, unconsciously lacing her fingers through his as she did so. Heat flooded her as she realised the intimacy of the action and tried to pull back a little, but Chakotay shot her a small, reassuring smile over his shoulder and gently tightened his hold on her hand as he led her down the stairs to the front row. "Thank you." Seven whispered as they sat down, returning his smile as she settled down on her plush seat beside him. "What have you arranged for us to see?" she asked him as she leaned forward in anticipation, still awestruck by their surroundings.

Chakotay's smile became tentative, his gaze nervous. His plan had always been a risk and he wasn't sure, even considering how well the date had gone so far, if she'd like it. "Swan Lake." He answered softly.

As the illustrious holographic cast made their final encore bow over two hours later, Chakotay turned anxiously to Seven, who'd remained transfixed and silent throughout the performance, and asked apprehensively, "Did you like it?" Seven's eyes instantly went to his face. He could see the sky blue orbs glistening under the lights and his stomach clenched painfully as he assumed they were tears. "I didn't want to upset you, but…" He began to explain desperately.

Seven stopped him by putting her hand lightly on his shoulder, smiling to herself as she felt the taunt muscles under his thin dress shirt. "The Captain was right." She muttered under her breath.

"Really?" Chakotay questioned, his eyebrows rising, "About what?"

Seven's smile widened when she saw his bemusement. "You do have a talent for making others feel better." She answered warmly before lowering her gaze again, "It was good to see this again, cathartic." She sighed, taking a moment to discreetly rub her eyes, "I need to be reminded of the good memories every so often. Thank you Chakotay."

All of Chakotay's fears dissipated to be replaced with a heady sense of relief. "You're welcome." He replied sincerely, taking one of the hands resting on her lap and squeezing it gently. "I enjoyed it too, but you would've been better in a few of the roles." He teased.

Seven responded to that with an incredulous laugh. "You flatter me, but I am aware of my inadequacies. You did use holograms of the Bolshoi ballet ensemble, remember?"

Chakotay smirked at her, "Didn't the Doctor ever teach you that flattery is part of being social?" he joked.

Seven peered up at him challengingly through her eyelashes. "Perhaps."

Chakotay swallowed, disorientated by the flirtation he sensed in her voice, but quickly recovered. "Would you like to come to dinner with me too?" he covered up the nervous hitch in the question by adding, "Being an audience member is hungry work you know."

"I believe that would be a traditional conclusion to a date…" Seven halted, her cheeks colouring. She sounded as if she were reciting from one of the Doctor's social manuals! "I'd be grateful to accompany you." She murmured, finally salvaging her reply.

Chakotay's beaming smile made it hard for her to calm her complexion or her again thumping heart. "Great!" He held out an arm for her, "Let's set up a new programme then, whatever type of restaurant you want."

"Thank you." Seven replied happily but couldn't stop a regretful sigh leaving her as the theatre disappeared around them. An idea hit her as Chakotay looked at her in concern. "Actually, could I show you one of my programmes first?" she asked quietly.

Chakotay blinked in surprise at this unexpected development. "Sure!" he agreed immediately, "I'd like that." His eyes narrowed at her suddenly serious expression, "If that's what you want?"

Seven nodded, though more to herself than to him. "I do." She confirmed decisively before calling out to the Computer, "Computer, activate programme Seven of Nine Alpha 1."

They didn't have to wait long before an environment which was almost the polar opposite of the theatre appeared around them; the only thing the two scenes shared was beauty. It was a tropical forest, lush and ringing with birdsong, but the main feature which caught Chakotay's eye right away was the most spectacular waterfall he'd ever seen. Crystal clear water from the mountains barely visible in the distance poured out of a crack in the hillside in a small arc, rainbows glimmering in the water before it fell to a deep pool in the forest floor. "Where are we?" he whispered to Seven, almost not wanting to ruin this perfect place with his presence. Seven didn't reply immediately, a contented and wistful smile curving her lips. He stared at her, "Did you imagine and design such a beautiful place?" he asked in awe.

Seven laughed softly, her gaze moving from the waterfall back to his face. "I created this programme but the place is real, I copied this scene from the memory banks of my cortical node." She saw that this technical explanation wasn't enlightening him and clarified, "I was shown this place while we were trapped on Ledosia."

"Ledosia?" Chakotay echoed, a slow grin pulling at his lips as he took a closer look around him, "Of course…" A frown furrowed his features as he considered this, "Wait, when did you come here? I was with you…"

Seven quirked an eyebrow at him, "You had a fractured ankle, remember? The Ventu girl brought me here before we found the shuttle wreckage." She sighed thoughtfully, walking to the edge of the pool as she did so. "This is my favourite programme, I find it relaxing."

Chakotay could hear a hint of shame in these words and flinched. It disturbed him how she seemed to think he'd resent her for not working constantly, but he supposed the Borg would have. "I don't blame you." He said as he joined her by the side of the pool and sat down on the cushion of grasses. "It's beautiful, I would've loved to see it for real."

Seven cautiously sat down beside him after carefully removing her new heels and setting them aside. Chakotay found himself captivated by her surprisingly dainty feet, the skin occasionally dotted with a delicate silver webbing of cybernetic implants. "And I would've liked to show you." She replied, gulping hard as she stared down through the clear pool to its pebbled bottom. "Sometimes…I wish we could've stayed there a little longer, ensured the Ventu's safety. Life seemed…simpler there." She paused, feeling the need to explain, "Of course, I was glad to return here to Voyager, it's my home."

Chakotay read her saddened expression and impulsively put his arm lightly around her shoulders comfortingly. "You don't need to explain, I admit to being a little conflicted too. Like I said then though, you shouldn't worry about the Ventu."

Seven took a deep breath, unconsciously relaxing into his side. "I know, but it's difficult not to feel guilty…"

Chakotay exhaled. "Tell me about it."He muttered, thinking of his time as a Maquis but mostly about when he'd tried to kill the Seven when she was still a drone. Seven seemed to hear his thoughts, giving him an understanding look which made his heart stop briefly. "I think things would've got complicated pretty quickly if we'd stayed down there any longer…"

Seven started as she recognised the meaning behind those words but found herself rapidly captivated by the intensity in his chocolate brown eyes. "Yes…" She whispered before turning her body in his arms and kissing him swiftly but sweetly on the lips. Chakotay naturally responded, encouraging her to explore his mouth and coaxing out her passion. Seven however broke away hastily as a need for oxygen came over her. "I'm…sorry…" She gasped out breathlessly, "I shouldn't have presumed…"

Chakotay firmly cupped her chin, holding her face close to his. "I'm not sorry honey." He assured her thickly, waiting until her face had softened, the panic receding, before gently pulling her back into a kiss. This time was certain and sure, deep, prolonged and so intense that when they reluctantly pulled apart for air once again moans of pleasure caught in their throats. "Well…" Chakotay breathed huskily against her skin, "I think I've just discovered another of your many talents, the best yet."

Seven giggled, arching an eyebrow as she asked in mock seriousness, "And what talent would that be?"

Chakotay gave a low chuckle, "Guess." He suggested as he again leaned in for another passionate kiss.

Seven leaned her forehead against his. "I think I need to practice this new talent then, would you assist me Commander?"

Chakotay wrapped his arms more securely around her slim frame, tilting her body back against the grass. "Gladly, Crewman." He managed to reply before she kissed him lovingly.

A/n: I'm really sad this fic is over; I've really enjoyed writing it, its one of my personal favourites! :D I hope you all liked it too! Also, when I described the theatre, that was my imagination. I have no idea what the Metropolitan Opera House looks like inside; I just used that famous name.

I owe a huge thanks to battlevalkyrie for giving me the idea for this story and also to my other reviewers: NikkiB1974, lisac1965, Sweetdeath04, Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay, xXBrightsideBumblebeeXx, Teal06, Soujiku, cjwellm and BecStar94, as well as everyone who put this on their favourites and alert lists. Everyone, PLEASE REVIEW again! :D