Valentine Challenge

Seven sat in the mess hall sipping her nutritional supplement and watched curiously as yet another male crewmember presented a female crewmember with a flower. She wondered if the crew had caught some kind of strange disease. She abandoned her breakfast and went in search of the Captain to voice her concern.

She found Captain Janeway in her ready room, a small comfort in what appeared to be a ship-wide state of chaos. On her way to the bridge, Seven had witnessed many more exchanges like the ones she had observed in the mess hall. Her concern had grown and she had been relieved to find the Captain on the bridge where she should be.

When Seven strode imperiously into her ready room, barely waiting for permission to enter, Captain Janeway immediately assumed something was wrong.

“Seven…?” She asked, standing behind her desk. “Captain, there is something wrong with the crew.” “Explain.” ‘I believe they have been infected with a virus. Quite a few of them appear to be suffering from heightened levels of hormones as well as exhibiting symptoms of a fever – increased temperature, increased respiratory and heart rate amongst other things.” “You used your implants to ascertain this?” “Affirmative.” “You’re sure they’re not malfunctioning?” “There are other things that indicate something amiss.” “Such as?” “Increased propensity for flowering plants. Gas filled rubber devices and stuffed material…things.” Seven struggled to describe what she had seen.

Kathryn Janeway looked at her and blinked, then did the last thing Seven expected – she laughed.

“Captain, I do not understand the cause of your mirth.” “Oh Seven, I should have explained this too you earlier.” “Captain?” “It’s Valentine’s Day.”

Seven raised her ocular implant and looked at Janeway. “Saint Valentine Seven…” “Jailed by Emperor Claudius for defying his ban on matrimony.” Seven interrupted, “He was executed on February 14th, 269 AD.” “Impressive.” “I studied religion when researching Earth customs.” “And you didn’t come across Valentine’s Day?” “I don’t understand.” ‘Saint Valentine became the patron saint for lovers. Every year people celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving flowers, balloons, cards, stuffed toys or similar to someone they care about.” “And today is February 14th?” “Earth date it is.” “So this is just…some tradition?” “Yes.” “It is inefficient.” “Love often is. It’s just the way it happens. Humans are often very illogical and inefficient. It is what makes us human.”

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Seven took her leave of Janeway and went to the relative safety of Astrometrics. She wanted nothing more than the Captain to see her as human. If she would, then maybe Seven could…She banished that thought as an impossibility. She went on with her work, still pondering the absurdity of some human customs.

She was deeply involved in the task in front of her when her comm. badge beeped.

“Captain Janeway to Seven of Nine.” “Seven of Nine…” “What are you currently doing?”

Seven looked at the completely un-work-related research sitting in front of her. “I am researching in Astrometrics.” “Is it terribly important? Could you spare a while to have lunch with me?” “I am available.” ‘I’ll see you in the mess hall in 5 minutes. Janeway out.”

Seven wondered what the Captain wanted. Perhaps her work performance was lacking. Seven couldn’t think of any time when her work had been at anything other than optimum. She nervously went to meet Captain Janeway.

She took a seat away from the rest of the crew in the mess hall and declined Neelix’s offer of his latest concoction, opting instead for a simple nutritional supplement and a ration bar. She waited patiently for Janeway and continued to observe the crew’s actions.

She wondered what it was like to have someone tell you they had romantic feelings for you. She wondered what it was like to have the courage to tell someone how you felt, and where that courage came from. Seven had stood up to the Borg Queen, and even Captain Kathryn Janeway, but she couldn’t find the courage to tell someone she had feelings for them.

Janeway slipped into the seat opposite Seven and noted her choice of lunch. “Is Neelix’s latest concoction that bad?” She joked. “I do not know. The doctor advised me to accustom myself to solid forms of sustenance. This meal provides all the nutrients I need.” “Can’t taste all that great though.” “Taste is irrelevant.” ‘Then why don’t you try Neelix’s cooking? It would cater for your nutritional requirements.” “Because…” Seven began, knowing the Captain had backed her into a logic corner. “Because taste is relevant?” Janeway teased, “This is what I meant by humans being illogical and inefficient. It would be logical for you to save replicator rations by partaking in Neelix’s cooking, but you’d rather have that.” She said, indicating Seven’s lunch. “And how is it inefficient?” Seven asked, genuinely curious “Neelix has already done all the work preparing a meal. By going and replicate yourself rations you are doing extra work. That is rather inefficient.” “So I am displaying human traits?” “Yes.” “This is a good thing?” “It’s a step in the right direction.” Janeway avoided completely answering the question, not wanting to encourage Seven to be illogical or inefficient.

Seven looked down at her hands. She really didn’t like the flavour or the texture of her meal. On the other hand, she didn’t think she wanted to try Neelix’s cooking either. She looked back up at her Captain.

“I do not enjoy these forms of nutrition.” She paused, “I do not think I would enjoy any of the other forms currently available.” Janeway laughed, “No – I wouldn’t advise that your first adventure into the culinary world began here.” “I will follow your advice.”

“Chakotay to Janeway…” “Janeway here.” “Captain, your presence is required on the bridge.” “I’ll be there shortly.”

She apologised to Seven for cutting their conversation short and hurried off to the bridge

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Kathryn escaped back to her ready room after dealing with Chakotay’s problem. She slumped into her chair before noticing the PADD sitting on her desk. She knew it hadn’t been there when she’d left for lunch – perhaps it was a report from Chakotay or Tuvok. She noted that there was an audio-visual file on it. Curiously she played it – it was from Seven.

“Captain,” her image said, “I have been researching emotions and, more recently, Earth customs. I believe I fully understand these and related matters. We have had many discussions about humanity and how I should achieve it. I have combined the results of these discussions with the knowledge gained from my research and have come to a simple conclusion.”

Seven paused for a moment. “Captain…I believe you are ‘hot’.” Seven struggled with the colloquial term, “Your presence is requested for a date. If this is acceptable, I will be waiting for you tonight at Holodeck 1 at 1900 hours.”

Kathryn stared at the PADD in her hands, not quite understanding what Seven was saying. She played it through again just to make sure she had understood. She had.

“Holy Hell Katie,” She said aloud, “Seven of Nine just asked you out on a date.” She couldn’t quite believe it. For a moment she thought she’d imagined the whole thing, but the PADD in her hands told her otherwise.

A wave of panic swept through her. Was Seven serious? Did she really understand what a date was? Was it a real date or just another experiment in humanity? What was she going to wear?

Kathryn stopped herself at the last thought – was she really considering going through with this? Yes, she answered herself, surprised. The thought of going n a real date with Seven of Nine caused a warm flush to course through her body – excitement, fear and even…arousal. Captain Janeway tried to be horrified at Kathryn but failed – the emotions were just too strong. She wondered where they had come from, and just how long they’d been there.

She persuaded herself to go on this date with Seven. Partly to give the younger woman a chance to explore her humanity, and partly to give Kathryn the chance to explore these new-found emotions.

The issue resolved, Kathryn settled down at her desk to finish some overdue reports. But despite her outwardly calm appearance, her heart was beating faster and she felt happier and more excited than she had in a long, long time.

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Seven stood outside Holodeck 1, feeling uncomfortable in clothing other than her biosuit. She tried to resist the urge to pace up and down the hallway.

‘Computer time.” She asked, not wanting to trust what her internal chronometer was saying. “The time is 1910 hours.” The computer stated dryly.

Seven noted that her chronometer was correct and Captain Janeway was late. She began worrying that she hadn’t gotten the PADD or, even worse, that she had refused the invitation. Seven was about to leave when she saw the Captain come around the corner. She noticed that her heart- and respiratory-rates increased, and found mild amusement in diagnosing herself with he same affliction as the various crewmembers she had been observing during the day.

“Seven, I apologise for being late.” Janeway said. “Captain, you are forgiven.” She said, opening the doors to Holodeck 1. “Please, were are off-duty, call me Kathryn.” “If you will call me Annika.” She said, secretly delighted that she could call the Captain by her first name.

“So what are we doing on the Holodeck Annika?” ‘We are on a date I believe.” She called up the program and entered her authorisation code. ‘A holoprogram with an authorisation code?” “I didn’t want anyone to see it before you.” Seven said as the Holodeck dissolved into a 20th century upper class restaurant, complete with waiters and chandeliers.

‘This is beautiful Annika.” Kathryn said, looking around “It pleases you?” She asked “Very much so.”

A waiter showed them to a secluded table and seated them. Kathryn noted the amount of detail Seven had included.

“How long did this take you?” “Including research time?” “Yes.” “Two weeks.” Kathryn knew that was a long time for any project Seven undertook. “When did you finish it?” “Last month.” “And it’s been password protected all that time?” “I wanted none but you to see it.” Seven said quietly. “You designed this romantic setting in this beautiful restaurant – just for me?” Seven nodded an affirmative.

Kathryn quickly grasped the significance of this – Seven had designed this program specifically for her, to engage in romance with her, and she hadn’t wanted anyone else to see it. The realisation struck her that Seven had very strong feelings for her and had done for a while. It made her feel warm, tingly and very special. She was less surprised than before to find her feelings for Seven stirring.

The night progressed nicely – Seven had planned the perfect menu and there were no ration bars or nutritional supplements in sight. Kathryn found herself relaxing and enjoying the feeling of being treated like a woman rather than the Captain. She felt the wine going to her head and realised that it was real alcohol and not replicated synthenol. She couldn’t seem to make herself care that she was slowly becoming inebriated.

Dinner came to an end far too soon for Kathryn’s liking, and she was pleased when Annika offered to escort her to her quarters. She stumbled slightly as they left the turbolift, and felt a rush of excitement and desire as Seven’s arms wrapped protectively around her.

She almost sighed when Seven removed her arms, but was satisfied when Seven put her around arm her waist and guided her down the hall. They reached the door of her quarters all too quickly, and Kathryn had to resist the urge to kiss the younger woman right there in the hallway.

“Would you like to come in for a while? Perhaps for a coffee or a glass of wine?” “I would like that.” Seven followed Kathryn into her living room and took a seat. “What would you like to drink?” “Tea” she replied.

Kathryn returned with two mugs – one of coffee, the other of tea. They sat sipping in comfortable silence for a while. Seven awkwardly cleared her throat – none of her research had covered this aspect of dating and she was unsure of what to do next. Shyly she pulled something out from the folds of her clothes and handed it to Kathryn.

It was a small object, wrapped in light blue tissue paper. Kathryn carefully unwrapped it to reveal a delicate glass rose inside. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She looked up at Annika, seeing the emotion shining forth from her blue eyes, emotion she knew was probably reflected in her won.

“Will you be my Valentine?” Seven whispered so quietly that Kathryn almost didn’t hear her. She moved to sit next to Seven, and held one her hands on her own. “I would be honoured to be your Valentine.” “Really?” ‘Of course. This is the most wonderful night I have had in a long time; this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, and the most beautiful gift I have ever received. “

Kathryn was sure she saw Seven blush in the pale light from the passing star field. Kathryn hadn’t realised that she had left the lights off when they’d come in, but now she was glad she had – the lights reflected off Annika’s hair and face, softening her features.

She reached out gently and cupped Seven’s face, gently brushing her cheek with her thumb. She leaned in slowly, her eyes never leaving Seven’s, gauging her reaction as she closed the distance between them and gently brushed her lips against Seven’s in a gentle kiss. She closed her eyes and deepened the kiss as she felt Seven react in kind. She broke it off before they became too lost in the sensations.

She looked into Seven’s eyes and saw the desire dwelling there. Desire for her, Kathryn Janeway, not the Captain, just the woman. She had to make sure she knew what Seven wanted before she kept going - this woman was more special to her than anyone had been for a long time and she didn’t want to do anything to hurt her.

“Seven, Annika, I…” She began “Kathryn I love you.” Seven interrupted “Are you sure?” “More sure than I am of anything else.”

Kathryn understood the importance of that simple statement. Her heart leapt in joy at the confirmation of Seven’s love for her.

“I love you too Annika, but…” “You are the Captain.” “Yes.” “You can’t love anyone.” “Not exactly.” “The regulations say…” “I know what they say. You are not Starfleet and you’re technically not a commissioned member of the crew.” “I see. I am Borg.” “No…. you are Annika Hansen, Astrometrics Officer on board the USS Starship ‘Voyager’” “And I am not a member of the crew.” Seven looked disappointed. “Yes you are. Tomorrow I will draw up a contract hiring you as a private citizen working under my command. You will be given a uniform and quarters befitting your position on ‘Voyager’” “And tonight?” She said quietly. “I told you Annika – I love you, and I don’t love anyone half way. I want you Seven and I’m damn well going to have you.”

The next thing Kathryn knew, she was kissing Seven of Nine, former Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix 01, and she was kissing her back. All thought processes ceased and she went on instinct, hands and mouth moving together, exploring the luscious form of Annika Hansen.

The last thing she remembered before all coherence flew out the window was Seven locking her door with a Borg encryption code.