Chakotay lay gazing at Seven who was sound asleep with her head on his chest, her loose hair tickling his face. He traced the metal running up her cybernetic hand and arm with his fingers, until he saw her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks and froze. Don't wake up please! Stay peaceful and serene like you are right now!

Seven blinked blearily awake, slowly becoming aware of her surroundings. This wasn't the cargo bay. Memories hit her and a blush immediately diffused her cheeks as she tried to sit upright.

"Hey, don't panic, it's alright. Good morning." Said Chakotay softly, reaching for her in reassurance.

"Good…morning." Seven stammered awkwardly. This was a new situation for her. "Did I damage you…" she blushed deeper, "by lying on you like that?"

"No." He put his arm round her shoulders again. "No, my love. Iwas very comfortable."

Pleased and flattered by his response, Seven allowed herself to once again relax into his hold and when he lay back again, settled once more on his chest where she could make out the soothing rhythm of his heart beneath her ear. After several minutes of contented silence, Seven spoke again. "Well, I suppose I know now why Lieutenants Torres and Paris are always late for their duty shifts."

Chakotay chuckled. "I'm going to tell them you said that."

"You'll do no such thing!" said Seven in mortification, just then realising the inappropriateness of her comment.

Chakotay just laughed harder and gave her a kiss. "If you say so, but it was still funny."

"Wait! Its 0945 hours! The ship will be in Earth's orbit by now; I have lapsed in my duties…" She scrambled up and began to get out of bed.

"Hang on! Just stay here a little longer."

Seven flung him a surprised look over her shoulder. "Don't you want to see Earth?"

"I've waited seven years; I can wait another half hour."

Seven gave a resigned sigh. "I still have work to complete."

"I think you've earned some leeway. I am the First Officer after all."

"That's a good point." She replied, climbing back into bed and kissing him.

"I thought you didn't want our relationship to interfere with my duties." He wrapped his arms round her back as he said this.

"That was then. This is now." He laughed and pulled her back onto him, where they began to kiss again, when a comm. badge went off.

"Doctor to Seven of Nine."

Chakotay gave a groan as she reached for the badge. "Just ignore it."

"He will persist." She said picking it up. "Yes, Doctor?"

"Seven where are you? The Starfleet engineering delegation is looking for you and I want to do your medical check before you start with them."

"Damn" muttered Chakotay.

Seven choked back a girlish giggle and put a finger to her lips. "I'll be there imminently."

"Good." The signal cut off.

Chakotay began to get dressed too. "So much for that extra half an hour."

"So it would seem."

Seven finished dressing and walked towards the wall, intending to transport herself out, but Chakotay piped up. "Don't even think about it. We're both using the door."

"There is no need to bring attention to ourselves…"

"I don't really care." He stood in front of her, giving her an intent look. "There's something else?"

Seven bit her lip, she was caught out. "The Doctor will be able to tell…"

"It's none of his business."

"He'll make it his business. He won't approve any more than the Captain…"

Chakotay cupped her chin in his hand. "Everyone will have to find out eventually."

"I know but I don't want it to negatively affect the crew's view of you."

"Why would it?" He kissed her neck, and whispered in her ear, "Every man on this ship's going to be jealous."

"I doubt that." She stepped back. "I'll see you later?"

"Definitely."

They parted with a tender kiss on the lips, Seven went to face the Doctor and Chakotay went towards the bridge.

As Seven walked through the halls she noticed strangers in Starfleet uniforms roaming around freely, giving her strange looks as they passed. Uneasily she pressed herself tighter against the wall; I hope Earth won't be any worse than this. It was with relief that she entered Sickbay to find the Doctor, B'Elanna and baby Miral.

"Seven there you are! Come and sit." Said the Doctor, picking up his tricorder.

Seven obediently sat on the edge of the biobed and addressed B'Elanna. "How well are you recovering Lieutenant?"

B'Elanna with the baby in her arms, smiled in response. "As well as can be expected, thank you Seven."

The three of them talked of the baby and Earth for several minutes before the Doctor stopped midway through Seven's scan and said abruptly "Seven, I suggest replicating different clothing for Earth, your biosuits might be considered unusual."

Seven coloured slightly at his tone, she knew what the scan had told him and that he wasn't pleased. B'Elanna misinterpreted the situation and feeling irritated on Seven's behalf spoke to her. "Well you might be a little uncomfortable in San Francisco, it'll be warm since its June."

Seven, glad not to be confronted by the Doctor, replied "Yes, I've read that California has a relatively warm climate, what type of clothing would you suggest?"

Taken aback, but willing to be helpful to the clueless young woman, B'Elanna said "Well, a skirt and blouse or a dress I suppose."

"You can go now Seven." The Doctor stated in a chilly tone.

Seven nodded but cautiously approached baby Miral, looking at her in awe for several seconds which B'Elanna didn't fail to take a mental note of. "You have done very well Lieutenant." She murmured.

"Thank you…" B'Elanna was stopped from going any further by her bleeping comm. badge. "Yes?"

"Lieutenant can you please come to Engineering to explain some of these unorthodox adaptations?"

"I'm coming." Said B'Elanna in an exasperated tone, putting down the baby in her arms.

"I will inform them to come to you Lieutenant."

"Would you Seven? Thanks."

"You also helped me." Seven replied saying a quick goodbye to the Doctor before she left.

When she was gone, B'Elanna couldn't stop herself from saying "Doctor, do you have to be so patronising with Seven? That time she was being quite polite and conversational."

"Just stay out of it Lieutenant." Said the Doctor coldly.

Seven spent the next half hour trying on dresses, and was just picking out matching shoes when Chakotay entered. He stared at her in silent shock for so long that Seven began to feel self conscious.

"Is it inappropriate?"

"No! It's very appropriate." He stammered, trying to stop his mouth hanging open. She was wearing a pale grey knee length sleeveless shift dress which fitted her perfectly, with her hair down, just as he liked it.

Seven still feeling horribly self conscious, reached for her hair clasps. "Why don't you just leave it down?" suggested Chakotay gently.

"As you wish." She replied, playing anxiously with the hem of her dress.

"Hey" said Chakotay going up to her and taking her wrist. "You look perfect, I wouldn't say that if it was otherwise."

There was the sound of a throat clearing behind them. It was the Doctor. "Am I interrupting something?"

"As a matter of fact…" Chakotay started but failed to get any further as Seven received a call.

"Seven of Nine, report to Astrometrics."

Seven glanced at them both, the Doctor relieved her by saying "Go on Seven."

Seven paused for a moment, until Chakotay squeezed the hand he was still holding in silent permission, then she left with her head bowed.

When they were alone, Chakotay decided to break the ice. "You wanted to talk about something Doctor?"

"You taking advantage of her and you hardly know anything about what she's been through!"

Chakotay knew this was protectiveness and fought to stay calm. "I know about the failsafe."

The Doctor choked in surprise. "She told you that?"

"Yes."

"Then I have underestimated the depth of her feelings…if you ever hurt her I'll…"

"I'd never!" Chakotay was getting annoyed at how frequently people accused him of that. "Doctor I know you care for her deeply…"

"Yes I do, but she's never realised and its better that way." His voice softened. "I'm not blind. Seven's only ever had eyes for you. I have her trust but you have her love."

"I hope so, she certainly has mine."

"That's all I can wish for. Good luck to you both."

"Tell her that, she's worried about your reaction."

"I will, thank you Commander." With that the Doctor left and Chakotay's adrenaline rushed from him, leaving him leaning heavily on the wall.

Well at least he handled it better than the Captain.

A/n: Please review because I'm not sure about this chapter at all! I like the beginning but I wasn't sure how to handle the Doctor's reaction. I don't really dislike the Doctor that much even though the Doctor/Seven pairing always made my skin crawl (a paternal rather than romantic relationship to my mind!) so I wanted to kill that off while not making him seem too evil. I know I'm making Chakotay handle it all but Seven will have plenty of confrontations when she gets to Earth! I'll update soon. I hope you still want to read.