Chakotay was in an exceptionally good mood as he made his now daily pilgrimage to Astrometrics the morning after his third date with Seven. He hoped the incident with Borg the night before hadn't upset her, despite Harry's protestations about the viability of the wormhole cluster as a way back to the Alpha Quadrant he was deeply relieved that they were leaving it behind them. Just because he was falling in love with a Borg didn't mean he wanted to become one. Wait. Where did that come from? Feeling a wide grin spread across his face, he knew there was no point in denying it anymore. Well, it's polite to ask the woman you're in love with on a date rather than waiting until she asks you, he thought pragmatically as he entered Astrometrics.
Seven stood at her console with one half of her mind on her work and the other half indulging in daydreams about her date the day before. It's a good thing I'm accustomed to multi tasking she thought with such contentment that the thought was without the usual hint of self reproach.
She knew it was him who had entered the before he said anything, having unconsciously learned how to identify his footsteps, she spoke up first. "If you're here for my daily report, it's not yet complete." She allowed humour to seep into her tone, knowing he would register it.
It worked. She heard him give a small laugh. "Actually, I'm here in an unofficial capacity." He came to her side, leaning on the console. "I was wondering if you'd like to get together again."
"To do what?" she asked, turning her face towards him.
It was a softer version of her normal deadpan tone; Chakotay saw the teasing glint in her eye and was encouraged. "That depends on your research. Would a quiet dinner for two in my quarters be an appropriate fourth date?"
"I think that would be a more appropriate fifth date." She could hear her own laughter in her tone. Obviously I have a previously unknown capacity for flirtatious conversation, she thought both pleased and surprised at herself.
He leaned in closer until their faces almost met; feeling sorely tempted to kiss her in response, but satisfied himself with another flirtatious innuendo laden comment. "I'm willing to skip ahead if you are."
Seven just smiled and gazed at him for a moment before responding. "2100 hours?"
He beamed then, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze. "See you then."
When he had gone, Seven let out a breath she hadn't been aware of holding, feeling intoxicated. I'll definitely need to get that operation.
It was with this thought in mind that Seven went to her weekly maintenance check with the Doctor that afternoon. She was just building up the courage to speak when the Doctor, having noticed her apprehension, asked her if something was wrong.
"Do you remember three months ago when my cortical node shut down?"
"How could I forget? Why? Has it been giving you trouble again?"
"No, but I have reconsidered your offer to extract the failsafe device." She was unable to stop the fear creeping into her voice as she added "You said it would require several operations?"
"Actually, in expectation of your change of heart I took the liberty of researching the matter further and I now believe I can rewire it in a single operation."
"How soon can you do it?"
"Today, if you'd like."
"My shift ends at 1800 hours."
"It's a date!" said the Doctor enthusiastically, not noticing Seven flinching at the phrase, her thoughts already on Chakotay. He paused before continuing thoughtfully, "Speaking of dates, you'll now be able to pursue more intimate relationships."
"I am aware of that." She stated stiffly. I am already in an intimate relationship.
"Yes, well, if you feel you need help with that aspect of your humanity, I'm always at your disposal."
Ignoring the patronising tone she was so accustomed to, Seven decided to be polite to her teacher and friend; he always did feel a desire to be needed. "I appreciate that…"
"Really?" the Doctor broke in, excited.
Although confused by his tone Seven kept going. "Yes, but I already have all the help in need."
Accepting his rejection with good grace, the Doctor tried to keep the conversation going. "Ah, I assume you'll be resuming your simulations with the Chakotay hologram."
Angered by his presumption, yet embarrassed by the fact that it was relatively close to the truth, Seven replied uneasily "No…actually" before cutting off this discomforting line of questioning with a quick "I'll see you at 1800 hours" before retreating from Sickbay as rapidly as possible.
By the time Seven managed to leave Sickbay that night after the obligatory two hours of observation following her operation and evaded a curious Doctor's questions it was 2050 hours. She realised she didn't have time to chose truly appropriate attire and decided to remain as she was, checking her reflection on the console in Cargo Bay 2. I really should get a mirror, she thought absentmindedly as she arranged the flowers hastily gathered from Aeroponics. A cargo bay does not require a mirror said the voice of the Collective in her head. Ignoring this voice of doubt, Seven now made for the door, before a horrifying thought crossed her mind. He may not like me coming to his quarters like this, it's indiscreet. The crew may notice. Resolving to use the transporter, even though it was frowned upon by the Captain for her to hack into the controls, she went to her wall console and dialled in the coordinates, the last thing she was aware of the buzz of the transporter.
Chakotay paced anxiously around his quarters, his mind racing. Don't push too hard, for God's sake, let her actions determine mine, it'll take as long as it takes, go slow, don't scare her off. To distract himself he began to set the table before glancing up when he heard the familiar buzz of a transporter, only to see Seven standing before him, holding a bunch of flowers.
Registering his surprise, Seven spoke first "Am I early?"
Recovering from his shock, Chakotay replied "No, you're right on time." He couldn't resist asking her somewhat incredulously, "Something wrong with the door?"
Seven repeated her own thought process from minutes before. "I thought it would be indiscreet to be seen taking flowers to the First Officer's quarters."
Chakotay couldn't deny the logic behind that. He looked at the flowers; he didn't have the heart to tell her that it was the man who brought the woman flowers not the other way around. It was a thoughtful and considerate gesture and he didn't want any awkwardness between them tonight. "I'll put these in water."
As he turned away from her, an idea occurred to her which she impulsively acted on without thinking. She took hold of his arm and pulled him into a kiss, which rapidly became more prolonged and passionate than she originally anticipated as Chakotay responded more than in kind.
Seven pulled back first, if only to read his reaction, which was a silent, intense and penetrating gaze. She felt a blush come to her face and felt a desperate need to explain her impulsive action. "I…I have been told…that anticipation of the first kiss can lead to tension. I was trying to…alleviate that tension."
Chakotay, his lips burning and his mind pleasantly reeling nonetheless tried to ease her panic. "That was very considerate of you" he said gently. "What about the second kiss?" Even though he knew he was pushing his luck he also knew he wanted to kiss her again as soon as possible.
Seven was thrown off by the question; whatever she was expecting him to say it wasn't that. "I…don't know…I can check the database…"
Observing her flustered yet endearing reply, Chakotay thought Oh, to hell with going slow, cutting her off midsentence with a kiss, wrapping his arm round her back to tighten the embrace. Seven immediately relaxed into his arms, allowing this kiss to go even deeper than their first. The insistent beep of their comm. badges pierced the air but they ignored it. The Captain's voice filled the room, "Senior officers, report to the bridge." It was only then that they stopped for air, though their faces remained tantalisingly close. Chakotay voiced their joint thought when he said huskily "Next time we turn off the comm. system." Seven smiled and nodded silently, before releasing her grip on his uniform and stepping out into the hall. As he followed close behind Chakotay thought "This better be good Kathryn, I've never wanted to be a senior officer less."
A/n: So what do you think? How well did I interpret it? Don't worry I'll update soon.