All I Can Taste 04
 

Captain Kathryn Janeway lied on top of the covers of her bed, staring up at the ceiling of her bedroom.  She could feel the heat radiating off the form next to her.  Seven was asleep next to her, her fever still rampaging through her body.

She had lied there for the past few hours, listening to Seven quietly sing song after song, trying desperately to keep her mind off the agony her body was in. It had been a suggestion from Tuvok, when the meditation could not distract her from the pain.

Kathryn had no idea Seven knew so many songs.  Most were melancholy, and she wondered why Seven had made it a point to learn so many sad songs.  Her voice was perfection, even in her physical state. Eventually, Seven had drifted off to sleep, leaving Kathryn lying there, the songs still echoing in her ears.

 
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
somehow I have to find
and as i try to make my way
to the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

 
The refrain ran through her mind again and again as she pondered the meaning of it.  Seven had told Kathryn of her lucid dreaming ever since she had gotten ill and as Kathryn looked over at her sleeping bedmate she hoped she was in one of those dreams now.      It was too late for her to get any decent sleep now.  After a quick shower she changed into a fresh uniform and made her way to the mess hall.  Neelix wasn't there of course, so she made some coffee for herself and watched the stars fly
outside.
 

Outside the door she heard some muffled cursing and the doors opened.  A slightly miffed B'Elanna Torres stumbled inside.     "You want something done you gotta do it yourself.  Neelix!"

"He's not here yet,"  Kathryn said quietly.
 

"Oh."  B'Elanna hadn't even seen her standing there.  "I've been up all night working on that damn plasma conduit.  I wanted to grab something to eat and then get to bed.  What are you doing up so early?"
 

"I never went to bed. Is the plasma conduit repaired."
 

"Yea, finally.  I guess I'll just help myself."  She headed over to
the kitchen and began rooting around.
 

"How's--how's Seven?"
 

"Not good.  I understand you saw her yesterday."
 

"Yea, well...you know.  Can't let that Borg weasel out of doing her work."    Kathryn smirked a little but said nothing.
 

"Oh forget it! " Torres made herself some coffee and came to stand next to the Captain.    "The Doctor, has he come up with anything?"           

"No," her mouth turned down as she looked down into her coffee cup. 

"Seven thinks it's just going to get worse, she doesn't think she'll survive."
 

"You tell that Borg that's a bunch of crap.  When you think about it, it's amazing she even survived being severed from the Collective, this is should be a breeze."  The doors opened and Neelix entered the room.
 

"It's about time, I'm starved."
 

***************************************************
 

"This illness...it's changing me somehow."  Seven sat on the bed cross legged.  Chakotay sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at his clasped hands.  Seven had just told him about all the dreams she had been having ever since becoming ill and was asking his advice on how to interpret them.
 

"I think you're just developing an ability you've never used before.  That world that your dreams are in is just as real as this one. It's something you should embrace, learn to develop."
 

"The field overlooking the ocean.  What does that mean?"
 

"Only you know that, but I would venture to say that it's probably a safe place for you, a center.  You seem, you seem like you're feeling better today."
 

"The pain has receded some, my fever is gone."
 

"That's great, maybe this whole thing will pass."
 

"It is not a good development, I fear my condition is worsening. Thank you for the advice, Commander.  I would like to discuss this topic further with you at another time."         

"It'd be a pleasure, Seven."
 

He rose from his seat and exited to go to the bridge.
 

Mid way through the day Neelix made his way to the Captain's quarters with a freshly made bowl of soup.  The doctor had informed him of Seven's inability to regenerate and also the fact that she had not eaten in over two days.  Inside Neelix found Seven sitting on the couch working on her portable workstation.              

"Hi there, the Doctor said you needed to eat something so I thought I would bring you some soup."
 

"That is considerate of you, but I do not desire to eat at this time."
 

"Seven, you need to eat something, just try."
 

She paused and took a breath, "As you wish."  She set aside the pad.  Neelix put the soup down on the coffee table and pushed it close to her so she could reach it easily.          

"Remember the first time you ate after you came on board?  And I had to show you how to eat?"  He sat down next to her on the couch and watched her pick up the spoon and begin to stir the soup.
 

"Yes, I reccall that."
 

"Naomi asked me how you were doing.  She misses seeing you."
 

"She may come see me whenever she wants.  Tell her I am fine."  It was a lie, she knew that, but there was no need to upset the child.
 

"I'll tell her."
 

Suddenly Seven found her hand shaking uncontrollably and the spoon fell to the floor.  Horrified, she looked at her hand like it was some alien intrument.    Neelix picked up the spoon fom the floor.
 

"It's alright, Seven."
 

"It is not alright.  This cannot go on much longer.  I must--"
 

"You must eat first."
 

"Yes."  She picked up the spoon with her other hand and carefully scooped up some soup.    Neelix waited patiently and when he saw her other hand begin to tremble he took the spoon from her and fed her the
rest of the soup.
 

******************************************************

Janeway and Chakotay sat together in her ready room, sipping coffee.
 

"I've had to think about a lot of things in the past few days. About how I feel towards her...about how she's affected this ship.  I may lose this chance forever."
 

"What chance?"
 

"Chakotay, I know what you're up to and don't worry, I'm perefctly aware that I'm in love with her, I accept that.  She was actually the one who pointed it out, in that Borg way. 'You have desired me for 7.25
months,' You know how she is."
 

"Yea," he smiled.  "I think she knows."
 

"I need to do something for her, to make her understand."
 

The door chimed and she paused.  "Come in."
 

Seven walked in, dressed in her usual plum outfit, her hair done up it in it's usual impeccable fashion.
 

"Seven!  You--what are you doing out of bed?  You're feeling better I take it."
 

"Yes, but my condition has worsened.  I have devised a plan."  She handed a pad to the Captain, her hand shaking visibly. Things had gotten worse.  Janeway swallowed hard and took the pad.
 

"Excuse me, Captain, I need to be out on the bridge."  Chakotay left the room.  Janeway never looked up from the pad she was reading.
 

"Have you talked to the Doctor about this?"
 

"Yes, and he is in favor of the idea."
 

The plan Seven had devised was simple.  To prevent further deterioration she wanted to be put in stasis until a workable plan could be devised to repair the damaged implant.  What if a solution wasn't found?  Seven could be in stasis indefinately.  Janeway sat down on the couch and sighed.
 

"There are drawbacks to the plan.  I'm not sure how my mental facilities will be affected.  I would like to be able to dream while I am in stasis, but that may not be possible.  I also would not be abe to see you, even though I will be inconscious that will not be pleasant."
 

"It won't be pleasant for me, either.  I want you near me all the time, Seven."  She took the trembling hand in her own and squeezed it.
 

"I feel that way as well,,,,except about you."
 

"I always knew there was something special about you from the first time I saw you.  I admit, though, I didn't exactly expect things to turn out like this.  Starfleet Captains usually don't fall in love with Borg drones."
 

"You love me?"
 

Had she given too much away? Too late now.
 

"Yes."
 

Seven's whole face changed and she smiled broadly.  "I love you as well." Boldly, she leaned forward and kissed Kathryn gingerly on the lips.  Her head was spinning as she watched Seven lean down to kiss her. She willed her heart to stop it's hammering and savored the lips she was tasting.  Too soon Seven pulled away.
 

"The Doctor requires me in sickbay to begin making preparations.  I will be there if you require me."  She gave Kathryn's hand a tiny squeeze and left the ready room.
 

Wow.  Kathryn watched her go, then looked back at the pad in her hand.  Stasis.  A wave of drepression overcame her and she stared out the window in front of her, watching Seven speed down a road that sent her futher out of reach, maybe forever.

Part 5