Chapter 4 to 6 added on 15 Jan 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: PG13
Part 4
Seven stopped convulsing almost as fast as she had started. B'Elanna was sitting with her back against the wall and had her arms wrapped tightly around Seven, who was sitting between her legs. Seven's left arm was pulled up behind her head because of the link between her tubules and the computer console. Her eyes were open but they seemed blank almost as if she was blind, staring at nothing.
"Seven? Seven? Can you hear me?" B'Elanna whispered in Seven's ear with a calmness that she did not feel.
"Yes.. Lt. I can.. hear you." Seven whispered back in a broken speech.
"Seven, you must disengage your tubules from the interface. Your implants are being drained of power and your human systems have suffered from shock. I need to get you to sickbay to repair the damage to your systems." The Doctor said as he stood close by monitoring Seven's condition on a tricorder he got from the emergency holodeck medikit.
"I am unable to terminate the link because I did not initiate it. Lt., you must shut down the holodeck program so that the link will automatically be severed." Seven whispered, keeping the answer clipped because she was having trouble concentrating. Seven realized almost immediately that the holodeck computer was accessing her cortical implant. From what Seven saw of the scan she did right before the console ruptured, Seven realised that the backup gelpacks had failed. Without a link to the main computer any more and the holodeck still running, the computer was looking for a new source of information to run a program. If Seven allowed the computer full access to her 'memories' it would run what ever pops into Seven's head as a program for all those present to see. Suffice it to say Seven didn't want that to happen so she was busy trying not to think of anything.
"Lanna, Seven. Call me Lanna." B'Elanna whispered and then called out to Vorik, "Vorik, get down to engineering and try to shut down main power to the holodecks, I want this program shut down now. Also send a team up here to the main holodeck controls and have them work on shutting it down as well. Whoever can get it done faster. I also noticed that the gelpacks for the holodeck were fried so there is no more link to the main computer. Which means you'll have to shut down the holodeck manually so get a move on." Torres dismissed Vorik with a sense of urgency. Torres also realized what Seven was going through, trying not to let the computer replay her memories for everyone to see. "Seven it might be better if you close your eyes."
At this point the Captain, who was holding Seven's right hand in her's, was now furious. Not only did she not know what was going on but she began to feel very jealous of the familiar way B'Elanna was interacting with Seven. "Lt., care to explain why it would be better for Seven to close her eyes?" And with that the engineer gave the Captain an abridged version of what was happening to Seven. Now the Captain knew what was going on and was even angrier because the chief engineer was now sitting cradling the ex-borg (something the Captain felt she should be doing) instead of helping to speed up the process of shutting down the computer. "Lt., perhaps it would go a lot faster if we had you trying to shut down the holodeck considering you are the best engineer we have." The Captain suggested in a cold tone reflecting some of her jealously.
This surprised Seven greatly causing a momentary lapse in concentration. Seven opened her eyes slowly, showing just how weak she was feeling, and saw the large pile of gift boxes left in a corner when the program shut down. A memory of a past Christmas flashed through her mind and the computer immediately picked up on it. A shock went through Seven's body causing her to spasm and close her eyes again but when she opened them the holodeck was no longer in grid format.
The entire Voyager crew present in the holodeck now found themselves aboard the bridge of the starship Raven. Coming out of one of the adjoining rooms were the Hanson's. Little Annika, who had to have been about five years old was blind folded and being led by her mother and father to the helm console where a brightly wrapped gift box was sitting atop of. The younger version of Seven of Nine was trying to peak under the blind fold as she was being led to the surprise. "Now Ana, no peaking. Your Christmas gift is suppose to be a surprise." Admonished Annika's mother. Now standing in front of the gift, Magnus Hanson removed the blind fold and handed the package to Ana. Unfortunately, before Ana could open it the ship rocked from side to side. Both adults rushed to a computer console to find out what happened and found that the borg were too close for comfort. "Honey, why don't you take your present inside and play for a little while and we'll have the party at another time, okay?" Magnus didn't wait for a reply as he went to work immediately leaving a teary eyed Ana to go off and celebrate yet another holiday alone.
The holodeck then returned to normal grid format as Vorik's disembodied voice announced that the holodeck had been successfully shut down. No one present had a dry eye after witnessing that scene relayed from Seven's memory. Even the emotionless borg had tears streaming down her face remembering the heart breaking day and seeing her parents alive instead of living as drones. Seven's tubules then released their connection to the computer and the Doctor came over to scan Seven one last time. The results from the scan showed that Seven's systems were returning to normal so the Doctor didn't press the issue of a full exam in sickbay giving Seven some time to recover emotionally. Seven was an emotional mess at this point and couldn't stop herself from weeping. B'Elanna upon hearing this wrapped her arms tighter around Seven offering her some comfort and then asked the Captain to clear the room. The Captain agreed readily realizing that Seven would not want to be seen this way. No one put up an argument but instead left quietly and peacefully affording Seven her privacy.
Part 5
After having dismissed the entire crew, calling an end to tonight's supposed festivities, Captain Janeway went right back to Seven's side. Only she, Seven, and B'Elanna remained in the holodeck together after shoving a worried Chakotay out, an emotional Neelix, and a concerned Doctor. Kneeling in front of Seven as she wiped away each and every tear that rolled down her face, Captain Katherine Janeway finally let herself feel. Seeing Seven in such a vulnerable and yet extremely human way, Katherine Janeway realized it was more than just a close friendship she felt for this ex-drone. She was totally and utterly in love with Seven. Looking back, Janeway could not remember a time when she didn't feel this way, only the times in which she denied it for the sake of something else whether it be Starfleet or her crew. Only that wasn't true now was it? On two separate occasions did she put her crew in extreme danger in order to save Seven from the borg queen. On another occasion she personally risked her life to prevent Seven from committing suicide and possibly could have left Voyager without their Captain had Seven not come to her senses. The Captain spent more time with Seven then any other crew member and it was only around Seven that she could relax her role as a Starfleet captain and just be Katherine. And now here she was stuck in the Delta Quadrant with the love of her life but denying that love out of obligations to others. Well not any more, she was not going to let this chance at happiness pass her by. It's been seven long years of isolation and distancing but time just seems to keep going and going not waiting for anyone.
Looking up from Seven, Janeway saw that not only was time against her but now it seemed she had competition. B'Elanna just sat there for what seemed like hours cradling Seven and letting her cry. B'Elanna now more than ever wanted to kick herself for the way she had treated Seven in the past. When Seven first came aboard Voyager, B'Elanna saw her as a drone and nothing more. The engineer blamed her for being apart of the collective and effectively assimilating billions not realizing that Seven was a victim too. Now it seemed that when they all thought that at least Seven lived a happy life for the six years before she was assimilated that wasn't the case. Little Ana was forced to follow around her parents chasing the borg never really having a place to call home. Not only that but it also seemed that Ana came second to her parents's work. But now after being severed from the collective, Seven had a second chance at living a happy, if not normal, life. And Lanna was going to make sure that happened. She didn't know when it happened but now Lanna was sure she had fallen in love with the ex-drone. Perhaps all of that aggression she felt towards Seven was really just sexual tension bubbling below the surface. It had happened before with Tom except that this time it seemed to be even stronger and more passionate. Perhaps Seven was her one true love, the one person she could hate yet still love with both her hearts at the same time. The only real question that still remained was, what does Seven feel?
Feeling Seven's sobs beginning to quiet down, B'Elanna was brought back to the present. She had been stroking Seven's hair, rocking her back and forth, and placing small kisses on the top of Seven's head. Belatedly, Lanna realized that they weren't alone in the room.
"Come on Seven, we should get you to sickbay to be checked out." Lanna was again whispering gently in Seven's ear.
"Will you come with me, Lanna?" Seven asked in a very quiet childlike voice.
With Seven using B'Elanna's nickname how could she say no. Of course B'Elanna thought that she would have trouble denying anything to this ex-borg but that was besides the point. The half-Klingon helped Seven up off the floor and wrapped her right arm around Seven's waist as she led her out of the holodeck. The Captain got up slowly feeling like a third wheel at the moment but chalked it up to the experience Seven just went through. 'After all, Seven and B'Elanna have gotten close lately so why not ask her to take Seven to sickbay instead of me. Seven just probably doesn't want me to see her in such a frail state. I'm sure she'll want to see me later when we can be alone and I think I'll have a surprise waiting for her.' The Captain rationalized to herself as she left the holodeck.
It was an hour and a half later when the doctor had finally finished his work up on Seven and repaired whatever little damage was left from the surge of energy to her systems. B'Elanna had stayed with Seven offering whatever comfort she could just by being there. It was a very quiet and somber sickbay when Janeway entered. The Doctor was in his office cataloging the work up he just did on Seven. While the other two women stood off to the side waiting for the Doc to dismiss Seven with a clean bill of health.
"Doctor, how is she?" The Captain asked.
"Seven is physically fine with no side effects present. Emotionally is another story. She really was affected by seeing her parents again and remembering that particular memory for the first time. But she claims that with an extended period of regeneration she'll be fine. Which may be true considering this is Seven we are talking about, she deals with her pain and then moves on but I'd rather her deal with it without the use of regeneration. I'D prefer if she'd sit down and just talk with someone about what has happened and allow her emotions time to run their course."
"That's exactly what I plan to let happen, Doctor. How long can she postpone her regeneration cycle?"
"Well, Seven is still pretty weak from the experience but I think that she'll do fine without regenerating for another few hours or so, maybe even the night but I'd rather not push it."
"Thank you, Doctor."
And with that the Captain left the office and headed straight for the two women.
"Captain." Seven greeted as she saw Janeway head over towards her.
"Seven, how are you feeling? Never mind, stupid question I know, don't answer that. The Doctor said that you are free to go so I was wondering if you would like to have some dinner with me?"
"Captain... I... " Seven seemed hesitant in answering looking back and forth between Lanna and Janeway. "I will comply." Seven finally answered knowing Janeway only meant well.
"Good. Then let's get out of here unless you need to do something first." The Captain didn't comment on Seven's use of borg responses knowing that she only did that when uncomfortable or stressed. Seven probably was a little of both after all that had happened.
"Wait! What about her regeneration cycle?" Lanna commented worried that Seven was not going to get the rest she so desperately needed and wanted.
"The Doctor said that it would be fine if she postponed her cycle for a few hours, Lt. Not that I would do anything to intentionally hurt Seven." The Captain replied frostily not liking B'Elanna's protective streak at all.
"Seven?" The Captain questioned as she held out her arm waiting for Seven to link her arm through her's.
It was now B'Elanna's turn to realize that she, too, had competition for Seven's affection. Watching Seven and her captain leave arm in arm only made the engineer's determination to win Seven over stronger. Little did she know, she wouldn't have to fight very hard.
Part 6
In the Captain's quarter, Seven sat on the couch waiting for Katherine to finish preparing dinner. That's what the Captain had asked Seven to call her from now on while they were alone. Katherine stepped out of the little kitchenette carrying two glasses of red wine. Handing one to Seven she sat down next to her. When Seven gave her that trademark questioning raised eyebrow Katherine knew she had to explain.
"I know you don't drink alcohol Seven but the synthahol level in this is very low, so try not to worry too much. Besides after the day you had let alone the week, I think you need a little help to relax."
"Indeed." Seven agreed as she downed the half filled glass.
From what Seven had remembered from her first experience with alcohol, it left her with a feeling of euphoria, almost to the point of actually being happy. And Seven definitely thought that feeling anything other than the way she was feeling now would be preferable. With the time it had taken Seven to go down to sickbay and get checked out, she had come to terms with what she had remembered and felt. After all it was in the past and Seven had an affinity for being able to put the worst things behind her. It was inefficient to dwell on the past but that's not what had Seven so upset now. Instead it was only after the holodeck incident that she began to feel confused and very uncomfortable. Confused because if she was reading into things correctly, Captain Katherine Janeway was showing signs of amourous feelings toward Seven. Uncomfortable because if Katherine was in love with Seven, Seven could not return those feelings. It was true that Seven did love the Captain but as a mother or beloved mentor, instead her heart belonged to another. And that's what had Seven so upset. She didn't want to hurt Katherine but yet she could not betray the love she felt for B'Elanna Torres. Seven had always felt a special connection to Lanna; whether Lanna felt it too or not didn't matter. From the very beginning, Torres managed to make Seven feel. True it was anger, hostility, and frustration but they were all still human emotions. It took others like the Captain months to get any emotional response out of her. Lanna made Seven feel alive and a part of the Voyager collective. Everyone else treated her like the Captain's pet borg and only tolerated her presence, never accepting it. B'Elanna on the other hand treated her as an equal, she always spoke her mind, and wasn't afraid to make it clear that she didn't want Seven there but was willing to accept it because they needed Seven. Now the Klingon's and borg's relationship had changed from that of adversaries to friends. And Seven found that the engineer could inspire other emotions beside anger and frustration. After the past week and the incident in the holodeck, Seven realized she wanted their friendship to grow even further, it was only B'Elanna that she ever wanted to be held by. And Seven thought that Lanna might want the same thing. She wasn't sure mind you but Seven was more than willing to find out. The only thing that stood in her way was the Captain. How could she be with B'Elanna without hurting Katherine? For that she had no answer and Seven's face took on a crestfallen look while she stared helplessly at the floor. Katherine noticed the sadness that overcame Seven's normally impassive face and thought that Seven must still be thinking about her parents. Taking Seven's chin between her fingers, Katherine pulled Seven's face up until they were looking eye to eye. Seven's eyes held more emotion than the Captain had ever seen there before but it was an emotion that she wished never to be shown through the clear blue eyes. Not really thinking, Katherine couldn't help herself as she leaned into Seven and touched her lips with hers, wanting to erase some of the pain Seven was feeling. Of course the synthahol had slowed down Seven's response time but as soon as she realized what was happening she pulled back. Seven jumped up off the couch, apologized profusely, and then ran right out of the room.
Seven ran through the corridors, not really seeing where she was going but unconsciously heading for her own personal safe haven, cargo bay 2. Seven, for the second time that night, was crying. How could she betray B'Elanna like that? How could she betray the love she felt for B'Elanna? Now, she feared, that Lanna would never want to be with her because she had no honor, no respect for love. Of course, these emotions were all new to Seven and she found it extremely difficult to sort out all that she felt and thought. Somewhere in Seven's mind was a voice telling her how illogical, irrational, and irrelevant her thoughts were. Too bad Seven couldn't think straight to realize this. As soon as Seven entered cargo bay 2 she realized that she was not alone. Seven tried to wipe away the tear tracks and pull herself together but it was a complete waste of time. Even if B'Elanna had not seen the tears she would have known something was wrong.
"Seven, what's wrong?" Lanna cried out as she ran to Seven's side.
"It's... I... uh... she... " Seven couldn't form more than one word at a time. But that was all B'Elanna needed to hear; 'she'.
"Janeway." B'Elanna growled as she flew out of the cargo bay like a targ hunting it's prey.
Seven took a minute or two to finish composing herself and then ran out after Lanna, hoping that she wouldn't do anything too stupid before Seven reached her.
Meanwhile, the Captain was cursing up a storm in her quarters. She cursed in so many different languages that not even the computer could decipher it all. Just as she had decided to go after Seven, Janeway, literally, bumped into Chakotay who was sanding in front of her door.
"Commander." The Captain rushed her greeting as she tried to move past Chakotay. Unfortunately, Chakotay was having none of it.
"Captain, I just saw Seven run out of your quarters a minute ago. Is she okay? What happened?"
"It's none of your concern, Commander." Janeway realized that sounded a bit harsh so she added, "It's a persona matter."
Janeway left it at that and turned to continue on down the corridor. Only she didn't get very far when she was met by a fist. Torres punched Janeway so had that everyone around could here her nose cracking and see her flying back a good few feet.
"You, p'tach!" What did you do to Seven!?" B'Elanna screamed at the top of her lungs while she towered over the fallen Captain.
Chakotay jumped over the bloody mess that was the Captain to come stand between the two women. Just then Seven came up behind Lanna and grabbed her by the arms effectively restraining her without hurting her.
"Lanna, please calm down. I am fine. I am the one you should be angry at not the Captain."
Seven tried to calm the Klingon down and to some degree she did but it was all for nothing as the chef of security came upon the group. With the raise of his eyebrow he was able to question everyone present without saying a word.
"Lt. Tuvok, I want to press formal charges against Lt. B'Elanna Torres for assaulting her captain. Place her in the brig until such time as I can figure out a proper punishment for her." The Captain order through a very nasal voice as Chakotay helped her up off the floor.
"Why you bitch! You're the one that hurt Seven and I'm the one going to the brig?" Torres fumed.
"Lt., I want her out of my sight." Janeway screamed back.
Chakotay nodded his head in agreement but only because the engineer did assault someone. Though he did have a feeling that there was more to this story. Besides it might be better to keep Lanna locked up until this mess gets straightened out. Seven followed Tuvok as he led Lanna away, unwilling to leave her love alone while she stayed in the brig.
"Come on, Captain. Let's have you looked at." Chakotay refered to the broken nose as he led Janeway to sickbay.
Continued in next part ....