Authors note: Just so you guys know in my version of this universe Neelix is dead. He died as a coward hiding in a corner of the ship during an invasion. Moments before his death he shat his pants. When Tuvok saw his corpse he laughed for the first time. The crew didn't even incinerate his corpse they just chucked it out the airlock. Now onto the story.
Ensign Kim got used to spending the majority of his workdays in the incubation chamber. Before he knew it, he found himself working in a rhythm with Seven. Her robotic work ethic made her as productive as she was predictable. She would work for 12 hours, working through breaks of course, then presumably after he left, she would "recharge". After several days of this Kim found himself feeling less disturbed by her almost inhuman work ethic and become more concerned.
She didn't rest in the collective, maybe she doesn't know how? If she keeps this up she may burnout long before we return to Earth.
At the end of a particularly straining day, Kim nearly exits the chamber before he stops himself.
"Seven?" He asked timidly.
"What is it you require Ensign Kim?" She replies while continuing her work.
"Well, I reserved the holodeck for a few hours and wanted to ask if you would like to join me?" Says Kim.
"I believe I already told you breaks are-"
"Inefficient I know". He replies while mimicking her even tone.
"But were you aware that taking a break every now and then can in fact increase productivity?" He adds.
Seven of Nine stops the swift motion of her hands for the first time.
"Continue". She says with a hint of curiosity hidden in her voice.
"It's well known that human beings have a limited amount of willpower and focus and if it isn't replenished…" He takes a step closer to Seven.
"You could perform sub optimally".
The confidence that Harry Kim was once feeling quickly turned into a flustered panic as Seven grabs his hand in both of hers.
"Are you certain of this?" He notices a hint of fear forming on her face for the first time.
"Uh, it can happen. I suppose" He squeaked trying to avoid eye contact.
"Then we must leave at once." In a swift jerking motion she pulls him from the incubation chamber. Hand in hand.
They arrive at the holodeck. The air is filled with the indistinguishable chatter and movement of programmed bar folk.
"So what does one do on a typical 'Break'?" She says as her eyes dart around the room taking in the foreign environment.
"Typically we start with a drink" Harry says as he makes way to the bar.
"But I do not require liquids at this time" Says Seven.
"Trust me it helps" says Harry. He appears with two shot glasses filled with brown liquid and hands one to Seven. He downs his while she places hers on the bar counter and studies it.
Several minutes of awkward attempts at small talk pass. Just when Harry was about to give up he notices Seven subtly tapping her foot along with the beat of the music emanating from the band across the room. Her eyes were glued to the holographic inhabitants of the bar as they started to dance.
Harry smiles to himself.
Maybe she is human after all.
"Would you like to dance?" asks Harry.
"Of course not." She punctuates her sentence with a small stamp of her foot in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. It doesn't work.
"Why?" Harry says with a hint of frustration present in his voice.
"It wont kill you to behave like a human every once and a while".
She takes a breath and bundles the courage that's inside her. Then turns to Kim.
"I…strive for perfection in all things". She says while staring deeply into her untouched drink.
"Dancing is a skill that has been particularly difficult for me to master considering the majority of the movements I made in the collective were walking in orderly lines between workstations. I do not wish to appear foolish.".
Ensign Kim laughs.
"Is my ineptitude humorous to you Ensign Kim?" She says surprised.
"No, not at all its just…" Kim collects himself. "I have seen you excel at things it has taken me weeks to perform correctly. And yet dancing is too difficult for the great Seven of Nine?".
He takes a step towards the dance floor.
"Trust me all you need is a demonstration, and you'll pick it up in no time".
Kim slowly comes alive on the dance floor, gaining confidence with each sway of his body. He is clearly not the best but keeps time with the music.
After several moments Seven joins him. Her movements are marked with an awkward stiffness. Her steps are accurate based on the timing of the music but they lack any kind of flow between them. It looked more like she were trying to stomp a rodent to death than dance.
Harry notices her struggling and attempts to guide her movements. Gently clasping her hands he sways begins to sway with her. Her movements slowly start to become less erratic and more natural until eventually she is moving in time with Harry.
As the music picks up and the beat grows faster and faster Harry notices a subtle change in Seven. Where he would normally see her blank, stale expression he notices the edges of her lips begin to curl into not quite a smile but definitely what would be considered a smile for Seven.
Her movements become more driven, forceful. Almost as if she were possessed by the music, she grabs Kim by the wrists and beings to spin him in a counter clockwise motion. Harry is forced to follow suit and they begin encircling each other at a nearly uncontrollable speed. This continues until the song ends and the crowd starts to disburse.
Harry is nearly bent over trying to catch his breath. Seven looks mildly fatigued but quickly regains her composure.
"I apologize, for my earlier exuberance. I am not yet accustomed to such spirited musical accompaniment." Said Seven.
"Don't worry about it" says Harry.
Seven swiftly walks toward the exit of the holodeck with her usual stiff posture then stops just before leaving.
"Ensign Kim" Says Seven in an authoritative tone. "I have greatly enjoyed myself this evening and would like to continue our studies on human social customs in the future if you so wish."
Taken aback by her sudden forwardness Harry takes a moment to think of a response.
"I agree, we should definitely do this again". Coughs Harry between breaths.
"Excellent, I have allotted several hours for recreation in two days. I will expect you to accompany me to further our studies at the appropriate time". Says Seven.
She leaves abruptly without waiting for a response and walks down the illuminated hallway. After she is certain she has exited the eyesight of Ensign Kim (Or any crewmember for that matter) she unleashes her first true smile.