Seven's Birthday


Captain Kathryn Janeway was in her Ready Room reading over some departmental reports when she noticed the date in the top left hand corner of the data pad. For the same reason she has memorized Sevens duty rosters and a few other things of the beautiful ex-Borg, she knew it was Seven of Nine's birthday. 'I wonder if she realizes', she thought. 'Well if she doesn't, she will by the end of the day!'

The Captain kept coming up with ideas through the day on what to do for Seven's birthday. 'I could throw her a big party in the mess hall? No, she doesn't feel comfortable in big social settings. I could take a cake down to the cargo bay? No, she's been in there all day. What will I give her as a present? Damn, I have to think of something to do!'

Kathryn's shift was almost over and her thoughts were interrupted by the Commander's voice.

"Captain, would you like to join me for dinner tonight? There have been a few rumors that everyone is foregoing Neelix's meal today and replicating their dinner instead." Chuckling he continued, "He's obviously been experimenting."

Kathryn realized what she could do. 'Yes that's it, it's different and relaxing, she'll feel comfortable and it could also be her gift. That's if I don't make a mess of things of course,' she chided herself.

"Actually Commander, you've just given me a great idea, can I take a rain check?" she asked mischievously.

"Of course, I'll see you next shift." Chakotay nodded. 'I wonder what she's up to.'

Captain Janeway proceeded to the mess hall. As she entered she noticed only six crewmen when usually around this time there were at least double that number. She stifled a laugh when she saw Neelix preparing food in the kitchen.

"Neelix, how are you?"

Turning around, "I'm fine thank you Captain, although there doesn't seem to be many people about today. You must have them working extremely hard at the moment?"

Kathryn lied, "yes I certainly do Neelix, have to keep them on their toes every now and then."

"True Captain, however they shouldn't go without a good meal in their tummies, those replicators are no match for handmade cooking you know." Now stirring whatever it was he was cooking he continued, "Can I get you anything Captain, coffee perhaps?"

"No thank you, Neelix but I do need to ask a favor of you. I need the mess hall to myself for a while. Why don't you take the night off, there doesn't seem to be many people here tonight so there shouldn't be a problem?"

Taking his apron off, "Of course Captain, may I ask why?"

"No you may not, it's a surprise for someone" she replied.

Turning around to face the remaining crewmen she asked them all to leave and said there was a malfunction in the kitchen and she would rather no one be in the proximity while it's being fixed. They all exited at once and Kathryn sealed the doors. 'Good, now I can start preparing dinner! I just hope it turns out better than Neelix's concoction!'

An hour had passed and she had prepared everything, now she just needed to set a table and replicate some candles. 'Candles? This isn't a date Kate, but it would be better than the bright lights of the mess hall. Seven won't think anything of it, candles it is.'

Kathryn had forty-five minutes to get ready for the dinner as it was a slow cooking meal. Back in her quarters, after a quick bath the auburn-haired woman chided herself for taking so long to decide what she was going to wear. In the end she chose a maroon buttoned short-sleeve top and some black pants. A pair of diamond earrings in place, a bit of makeup and she was ready. 'Please let me not burn the meal, just this once?'

Transporting back to the mess hall she hailed Seven. "Janeway to Seven of Nine."

"Yes Captain" Seven replied.

"Seven I need your assistance in the mess hall, use a site to site transport." The captain decided discretion was in order at the moment.

"Understood" stated Seven.

Kathryn instructed the computer to turn the lights off, allowing the candles to illuminate the setting. Three seconds later, Seven appeared in the mess hall, she looked around and didn't see anyone and the dim lighting didn't assist her vision in any way. "Captain?"

Janeway came out from behind the counter and noticed Seven was about to retrieve her tools to assist her.

"Seven I misled you, the only assistance I need from you is to join me in consuming the dinner I've prepared for you."

The young blonde found it hard to breath upon noticing the Captain's attire and knowing her legs were finding it hard to sustain their stance, for the first time in her life she wanted to sit down. 'I am malfunctioning!'

"Captain, I do not understand, why have you prepared a nutritional supplement for me?" she asked.

Kathryn walked up to the blonde and put a hand on Seven's arm concerned by the ex-drone's paling complexion. "Call me Kathryn, Seven. I'm not the Captain tonight, which means I can be your friend." She smiled recalling the conversation she and Seven had in the Brig on an alien vessel. "Are you alright Seven, you look a little pale?"

Finding it hard to concentrate on the conversation the younger woman responded, "I am functioning…Kathryn."

Janeway loved the way Seven said her name, it was more like a caress.

"Do you know what today is Seven?" Noticing Seven's left eyebrow raise she went on. "Today is your birthday and I wanted to do something special for you, I didn't think you would enjoy a big celebration so I decided to cook you dinner."

"Indeed" was all Seven could manage. 'It is my birthday, I didn't realize, how did the captain know?' She looked around and noticed a table set for two with a deep blue cloth covering it with two lit candles and cutlery on top. 'Did the Capt... Kathryn says she cooked dinner? If the rumors are true I wonder if it is still edible. How is it possible for her to look even more stunning in this lighting, her hair is shimmering!' She resisted the desire to raise her hand and caress Janeway's' hair.

Seven started, "You replicated a meal for me, for my birthday…" Kathryn interrupted her while leading Seven to the table.

"I didn't replicate it, I made it by hand, it's what people like to call a homecooked meal and it is better than anything replicated, you'll enjoy it Seven and contrary to popular belief I can cook, its only the replicator that has a problem with me," she insisted wryly.

Not wanting to mention that the replicators don't punch in the instructions for a meal, Seven asked, "How were you able to occupy the mess hall for this occasion?"

"I'm the Captain" was the only reply. Gesturing for Seven to sit, she then retrieved the two meals and placed them on the table quite pleased with herself that the dinner looked the way it was supposed to.

They began to eat when Seven started, "Cap…Kathryn why do humans give such importance to the day a person is born? Should it not be the Mother of the child that should receive special attention and the gifts? Childbirth is a very enduring task. Should she not be given a present each year?"

"Seven, birthdays are considered special because it's the anniversary of the day a child is born into the world and I am extremely pleased that you were born and I'd like to celebrate it. Also your mother did get a gift for giving birth and every day after that." She noticed Seven's frown and placed her hand over Seven's. "You were her gift Seven, a child is the most precious gift a parent can be given."

Seven felt Kathryn's hand over hers and felt the sensation course through her body. Not wanting to discuss the negativity surrounding how she feels towards her parents, Seven changed the topic.

"This meal is quite pleasing Kathryn, I'm surprised and will endeavor to cease the rumors." A slight smile graced her lips. "Thank you for making me feel special and taking time out of your day to prepare it."

Kathryn broke her hold on Seven's hand to finish her meal. "It's my pleasure Seven, and you should feel special, not just on your birthday but on every day. You are extremely important to me and my heart would stop beating if you weren't in my life." Kathryn gasped. 'I can't believe I just said that! What's wrong with me? Seven doesn't need an old Captain like me professing my love for her, not to mention how inappropriate it is. Where is a red alert when I actually need one?...' A hand covering hers shook her out of her thoughts and she looked up into the young woman's beautiful ice blue eyes.

Taking advantage of the Captain's openness, Seven spoke, "Kathryn, you gave me a new life when you severed me from the Collective. I function at peak efficiency every day because you are beside me. If you ceased to exist, I would also cease functioning. We are equals in every way." Rising and walking around the table while still holding the older woman's hand, Seven stood in front of Kathryn and urged her to look up. "Although your meal was pleasing, I desire another gift from you" she finished shyly.

Kathryn stood with her hand still in Seven's grasp and her heart beating erratically. "What is it that you want Seven, if I can give it to you, I will." she replied huskily.

"I wish for you to kiss me…please." Seven asked. 'Will you finally let me in Kathryn? After all this time can you let yourself love me the way I love you? Will you allow me to be your gift every day?'

Kathryn took a moment to reply 'she wants me to kiss her? My heart already belongs to her and oh! How it would feel to press against those sensual lips of hers. To hell with it.'

"Who am I to deny your birthday wish" she said as she caressed Seven's cheek with her other hand and softly pressed her lips against her beloved Seven of Nine.

The end