Seven shifted onto her back, 0448 hours, too early to get up. She wasn't sure what had woken her but now that she was awake sleep would not return to her. Turning to look at Chakotay she envied his peacefulness. He should be peaceful, he's at home. She fondly stroked his cheek with the back of her human hand, watching as he registered her touch in his sleep and smiled unconsciously. A sudden sound outside made her jump out of her relaxed contemplation, but Chakotay didn't stir. His unenhanced ears must not hear the sound; it's nothing of great importance. As much as she tried to tell herself that, her nerves were shaken and she regretfully gently unwound Chakotay's arms from around her and got out of bed. Pain shot through her implants in complaint, she really did need a regeneration cycle she thought with irritation, the human way of doing things although much less efficient was also much more enjoyable. She threw her dressing gown over her nightdress, both replicated after their return from the restaurant and walked to the window, her enhanced eye leading her through the darkness. Lifting the flimsy curtain she peered out onto the street below, immediately catching sight of what she had feared. Two Starfleet security officers sitting in a vehicle watching the apartment block with binoculars. She had seen them throughout the day and had even caught them parked outside the restaurant but the fact that Starfleet obviously had her under constant surveillance even in the early hours of the morning sent her anxiety level up another notch.
Chakotay stirred in bed, reaching for Seven, only to find himself alone. "Seven?" he called out, unable to keep the anxious edge from his voice.
Seven turned her head to him but stayed where she was. "I am here."
Chakotay sat up, his bleary eyes struggling to make out her outline standing at the window. "It's five in the morning sweetheart, what's wrong?"
Seven sighed, unable to avoid such a direct question. "We appear to be under surveillance."
"What?" He rushed from the bed so quickly he almost fell. Meeting her at the window he peered out of the window, seeing nothing. "I don't see anything."
"On the left hand side of the street, five metres down, behind the street lamp."
He followed her instructions and saw what she was talking about, anger filling his chest. "How long have they been there?"
"We have been followed since we left Voyager, I hoped they would see it was a pointless exercise but it seems they have persisted."
This new knowledge made a fresh bone penetrating fear come alongside the anger. "I can't believe this! We're not criminals! Stay with me until things settle down."
Seven swallowed hard. "You believe I am in danger?"
Chakotay realised he had perhaps been too open with his fears; he tried to himself that they wouldn't hurt her but the fear had already sunk in. His silence gave an affirmative answer to her question and she stiffened. "I should not have told you…"
He moved behind her, curling his arm round her waist and pulling her against him, lowering his head onto her shoulder and kissing her neck. "You can tell me anything."
"I know." She turned into him and lightly kissed him on the chest. "Do not worry; I expected this reaction from Starfleet."
"Why?"
"Because I am" when he shot her a look she stopped herself "was Borg."
"That doesn't give them a right to…"
"It does. Your affection for me is making you forgetful; the crew of Voyager once had the same suspicions." She smiled softly at him. "A certain First Officer once referred to me as a scorpion."
Chakotay blanched at that. "I'm sorry! How did you know I said that?"
"I spent my first few days on board breaking into the personal log system. I stopped doing after my first week though. I always thought your comment was sensible and just." She sighed again, this time unable to hide her fear completely. "This is a different situation, Starfleet do not need me as Voyager did and its more susceptible to the whims of the population. The Captain had power over the crew, you had to do as she wished, Starfleet cannot command people to tolerate me."
"They'll learn." Chakotay murmured into her hair.
"Hopefully. I will stay with you for the time being."
"Good. I think we're awake now, do you want some tea?"
They retreated to bed with cups of tea, trying to put their anxieties to rest.
They returned later that morning to a Voyager full of rumours. Seven went straight to Sick Bay while Chakotay joined the congregation of senior officers in the Mess Hall.
Seven entered Sick Bay apprehensive of what she might find but only saw the Doctor flirting with a young blonde nurse. "Good morning, Doctor."
The Doctor jumped out of his skin and whirled around. "Seven! What are you doing here?"
"You said yesterday I was to come here as soon as I returned."
"Yes…yes I did, didn't I? You can go now Danielle." The nurse nodded her cheeks pink and left hurriedly.
Seven did nothing more than raise her eyebrows at him slightly and sat on the nearest biobed where he began to scan her.
"You need to regenerate, even if you are finding more…pleasant ways to spend your evenings."
Seven blushed at his innuendo. "Starfleet have confiscated my alcove."
"What? They can't do that it's essential for your health! I'll have a talk with them, not that they'll listen to a hologram. Anyway, are you being careful?"
"About what?" She asked in bemusement.
The Doctor coloured in embarrassment. "About…you know…protection."
Seven stared at him. "I thought that was an impossibility."
"The chances are very minute yes, but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"I will do whatever you advise." They spoke quietly for several minutes and then she left to join Chakotay.
Meanwhile in the Mess Hall, Chakotay was having a very disconcerting conversation with Tom and Harry. "They say the Captain was being debriefed all night and into this morning, she never left the ship." Said Harry anxiously.
"My Dad says it's Admiral Colby they've sent up and that we've to be careful because he's a hard nut. He's been involved in both Borg and Maquis battles so I don't think either you or Seven will be getting a very sympathetic ear Chakotay. Thank God Dad managed to get B'Elanna a maternity exception from all this."
"Do you really think it'll be that bad…" Chakotay started but was interrupted by Seven's approach.
She had just given out her normal greetings when a comm. signal broke out across the room.
"Seven of Nine to the Briefing Room please."
Seven, prepare for interrogation!" hissed Tom.
"Good luck!" added Harry.
Chakotay walked with Seven to the door, wanting to come in with her but she held him back. "I must do this alone, my love."
Chakotay smiled at the new term of endearment and squeezed her hand supportively. "I'll wait out here."
She nodded and stepped in, the closing doors cutting her off from all outside support. She sat down beside the Captain, facing the Admiral before her.
"You are Seven of Nine, formerly Annika Kerstin Hansen, born on 30th of May 2349?" He asked her coldly.
"Yes. And you are?" His tone was already fostering a distrust within her.
"Admiral Geoffrey Elias Colby. I am the one who has been asked to debrief you."
"I will do everything I can to make your task as simple as possible." She replied as courteously as she could.
"Good, now I have been reading the ship's files and have learned that you have attempted to return to the Borg many times before, how do I know you will not attempt it again?"
"In those instances I was under either medical difficulties or coercion. I have not truly made a fully conscious attempt for years."
"Oh really? Pulled to the site of a crashed Borg ship, multiple personality disorder, returning to the Borg Queen, paranoia, helping a Borg resistance movement…"
"She did that under my command." The captain interjected.
"I understand that Captain, I've spoken to you, now I've speaking to her."
"The pull of the Collective is strong, I have often been affected by it." Seven admitted in an attempt to get him to understand.
"Oh I know that! How do the people of the Federation know you won't give in again and turn on us!"
"All I can give you is my word that I will never willingly endanger the Federation." Seven said through gritted teeth.
"What good is your word? Even now you're under the direct influence of your Maquis lover…"
The disparaging reference to Chakotay made Seven's already strained patience snap. "Whatever influence you imply he has over me would only serve to benefit the Federation!" She glared at him in open icy defiance.
"Make you more likely to rebel more like…"
"If you are going to speak to me in this way, I will not remain here." She rose from her chair and the security guard went to block her at the Admiral' signal. Seven turned back to face him. "And I would appreciate it if you removed the surveillance you have placed on me before interrogating me in such a way again." The Captain gasped and turned angrily to face the Admiral who reeled in shock at her knowledge of his methods. "Excuse me, Captain." Said Seven politely, before turning on her heel and leaving unhindered.
A/n: So round 1 goes to… You decide! Please review. I hope you liked this, I'm better at fluff than confrontation but there's going to be more so I need encouragement. I'll update soon. Can any of you tell me the name of Seven's mother? I need it for an upcoming chapter. I know her father's name but her mother's name eludes me. Thanks!