Part Seven
*
 
Caela had awakened feeling refreshed, satisfied.  She lay on her back, blissfully soaking up the warmth of the suns. She breathed in the air of her holoworld, and though it wasn't the same… it was close. Though her eyes could clearly see that this was all an illusion, if Caela just pushed that thought away… she could imagine she was home.

In the air, another scent, familiar and comforting wafted to her on the cool breeze.

“Seven?” She opened her eyes to see Seven of Nine standing at the nearest tree, leaning against it and watching her. Instantly, Caela was on her feet, “Seven, what are you doing here?” Caela was about to express her concern over Seven disobeying orders, when she felt the frivolity in Seven's mind.

Seven’s face was absolutely stoic.

Caela crooked her neck, “What are you hiding?”

Seven slowly allowed the smile, unable to hold it off. “Kathryn has changed her mind.”

“I can see you?” Caela threw her arms around Seven.

 “We can see each other.” Seven embraced Caela, allowing the smaller woman to lean her head on her shoulder, “Caela. You have recovered?”

Caela held Seven closer, “Mmm hmm…” She dreamily let her hands roam down Seven’s body. “I am
fully functional once again. Thank you for being here when I awoke.”

Seven closed her eyes and inhaled Caela’s scent. Quietly, she spoke, “I wonder… if you understand. About why I chose to go after the Howl.”

Caela nodded, her head still against Seven’s shoulder. “Yes. I can never repay the debt I owe you for stopping me.”

“There is no debt.” Seven’s lips brushed Caela’s earlobe. “It is behind us, then?”

“Yes.” Caela breathed deeply, relaxing into Seven’s embrace. “Chakotay told me you and Tom created this world for me.”

Seven shyly asked, “Are you pleased?” Her fingers played in Caela’s long locks.

“Oh, yes. I am, Seven.” Caela stepped away, releasing her hands only as she was out of reach. Her arms outstretched, she twirled around and around, “My suns, my moon, my trees. Even the air smells sweet.”
She looked down at the ground, at a bone left by the Howl. She knelt and took it up, “Holographic prey.” She tossed the bone. “I think the Howl knew. But it hunted anyway, out of enjoyment, I think. And I don’t have to kill anymore… not as long as I am here, on Voyager.”

Seven approached Caela. “There is surveillance here.”

Caela looked down at herself. “Yes, Chakotay told me there would be. I suppose I should dress.” Her eyes scanned the forest floor. “I don’t remember where my clothes are.”

“I saw them in the clearing.” Seven took her hand to lead her through the forest.

“They will need to be cleaned… “

“I will show you how to instruct the computer to clean your clothes.” She stepped through the trees, “And then I would like to show you something else.”

“Oh?”

“My chamber.” Seven said. “I did not include it on the tour.”

*
 
Caela was somewhat intimidated by the sheer size of the Borg alcoves. She stood back, her eyes wide as she took in the sight.

“And this is where you…  regenerate?”

Seven stood as if at attention. “I also have the ability to input data as I regenerate.”

“You learn while you sleep?” Caela looked at Seven in awe. “That’s brilliant.”

“I am not the first to learn in such a manner.” Then Seven rethought the statement. “Perhaps the first human to learn through a Borg chamber. Though I have had my failures.”

“Really?” Caela turned to her, “I cannot imagine you failing at anything.”

Seven appreciated the remark. “I assure you I have. But thank you.”

“You will have to tell me about it sometime.” Caela was looking at the console in front of the alcove. “Would you teach me how to use these things?”

“I would be happy to.” Seven said, and stepped up behind Caela, reaching around her. “This,” She stood close behind her, pointed to the display, “Is the connection to Voyager’s main computer.” She pointed at another, and her arm wrapped around Caela. “This allows me to adjust my regeneration cycle. And this,” She moved Caela’s hair off the back of her neck, and her lips lingered there, “Is one of your primary erogenous zones.” Her lips whispered against the nape of Caela’s neck, barely brushing the skin there.

Caela closed her eyes and she leaned her head forward, allowing Seven to send the electricity up her spine. She allowed Seven to reach up the front of her shirt, and grasp her breasts.

Seven spoke, “Computer, seal the doors.”

The computer chirped. “The doors are sealed.”

*

Sitting on the floor of Cargo Bay 2 wasn’t very comfortable. Seven had made love to Caela standing, and now Caela lay on the floor, her clothes back on, her head in Seven’s lap.

“Seven, we can go somewhere else.” Caela said, sensing the discomfort in Seven.

Seven smiled down at her lover, “Odd. As a Borg, my thoughts were one with the collective. After I had lost that connection, I was forced to adapt. To be alone in my thoughts. I eventually learned to accept it and I eventually came to prefer it. However, I somehow  find it comforting that you know my thoughts so easily.”

“Not your thoughts exactly, Seven.” Caela reached up, played with a strand of hair that had fallen from Seven’s coif. “Just what surrounds them… such as right now. You are sitting on a very hard floor, and you do not like it. But you do like my head on your lap, so you stay seated.” Caela smiled up at her. “Tell me when you are ready to stand.”

“I will.” Seven answered, her hands stroking Caela’s face. “There is no deception with you. I believe it is the more efficient approach to communication.”

“Yes, but not everyone feels that way.” Caela leaned her head against Seven’s hand, kissed it. “They would if they were also empaths, but most aren't. Even among my people, it was rare. Considered a gift, and respected. I have noticed that it’s different here.”

“Yes.” Seven agreed, “Most humans are very…”

“Guarded.”

“Yes, guarded with their thoughts and emotions. They will only expose them to a chosen few. It is their way.”

Caela’s brow pinched. “You say that as if you weren’t human.”

Seven sadly nodded. “I do not know that I will ever feel fully human.” She leaned her head back against the chamber, “When Kathryn first separated me from the collective, she told me I was with my own kind now. But I did not remember what it was to be human.”

Caela sat up, feeling the wellspring of emotion that was suddenly pouring forth from Seven. She watched her beautiful ex-Borg. “I told her I would betray her. I told her I wanted to return to the Borg. But she did not give in to my requests.”

“Why do you feel shame, Seven?” Caela asked, “You were afraid.”

“Afraid and angry. I feel shame that I wanted to destroy her. I wanted to destroy Voyager, and return to the collective.” Seven’s voice was distant, her eyes focused on some far off point. “I was raised by Borg… I wanted to go back. Somehow, I feel shame still about how I responded to her freeing me.”

Caela’s hand went to Seven’s. “You knew no other life.” She knew there was an unusual strength in Kathryn; now feeling Seven’s emotions from that day brought a truer picture of Kathryn to Caela.

Seven once again looked into Caela’s eyes. “I have since left Voyager twice. Each time without intention of returning. Each time she came for me.”

Caela was absorbed in Seven’s words.  She felt the warmth emanating from Seven’s heart, but it was quickly gone as Seven’s cadence changed. Caela felt it as Seven decided to change subjects.

 “Would you like to go to the Mess hall? Or perhaps visit with some Voyager crew members?”

“I doubt anyone on this ship would be very happy to see me. Other than you, as they do know what I am now.” Caela didn’t mention that she could feel and smell their fear coming from all over the ship.
 
“There is one person who specifically requested a visit from you.” Seven said, “And she will be cross with me if I do not assure that you do visit.”

“Who wants to see me?”

“Naomi Wildman.”

“Naomi?” Caela was cautious. “Is she angry? Does she want to confront me?”

“She was concerned for you, and you will find, she is a compassionate, intelligent and thoughtful child. ” Seven motioned that she’d like to stand now.

Caela moved to her feet, followed by Seven. “I must ask her forgiveness.” Caela thought about it, “And I must ask the same of B'Elanna, and the others who I hurt. I really must ask forgiveness of everyone, since, as Chakotay said, I seemed to have turned the ship upside down."
 
“Very well. “ Seven said. “Now, as humans say, is as good a time as any.”

The comsystem chirped. “Doctor to Seven of Nine.”

Seven answered. “Seven of Nine.”

The Doctor, “Please bring Caela to sickbay. I have some news for her.”

“Yes, Doctor. Seven out.” She turned to Caela.

Caela took a deep breath. “I wonder of its good news?”

“We shall soon know.” Seven wasn't an empath, but from the sudden rise in respiratory rate and the pallor to Caela’s cheeks, Seven could see her friend was worried. Seven took her hand. “I will be there for you.”

Caela squeezed her fingers, looked into the blue of Seven’s eyes, “Thank you.”
Seven led the way out of Cargo Bay 2, and walked into the corridor, holding the hand of her new friend and lover.

*
 
Walking through the corridor turned out to be a somewhat harrowing experience for Caela. It was crowded, shifts were changing, and each crew member that passed had some strong emotion to give as they caught sight of her. Anger, repugnancy, fear. All these were present, and then sometimes acceptance, forgiveness.

Then, their eyes would fall on Caela’s hand in Seven’s, and there would be surprise, shock, and from a few crew members, jealousy.

Jealousy, because Caela was the first on Voyager to hold Seven’s hand.
 
Caela found herself walking slightly behind Seven, but Seven held her head high and pulled Caela to walk beside her. She stated her observation. “They are unaccustomed to us. They will adapt.”

Caela silently acknowledged that Seven was right, but was still grateful for the empty turbolift.

“Sickbay.” Seven instructed the computer, and in the time she had looked down at Caela in a comforting gaze, the turbolift slowed to a stop, and the doors opened. Seven led her out, and they were soon in another busy corridor.

Caela kept her eyes on the ground and wished she didn’t have to feel all the judgment and fear. She only looked up when she recognized a wave of friendship come toward her.

Chakotay greeted them both and followed the two women into Sickbay.

Janeway was speaking with the Doctor at his main console. She turned to the three as they entered, and her eyes only fell on the women’s linked hands for a moment. Immediately, she made eye contact with Seven. “I’m glad you’re all here.”  She turned to the Doctor. “Doctor?”

“Thank You, Captain.” He motioned to Caela, “Why don’t you have a seat one of the biobeds?” As she did, he went back to his console and turned back to her with a small black badge in hand. He held it as he spoke. “I have had no success in finding a way to repress the gene that causes your change. I am confident I will, but it is going to take some time. Your changes… frankly, they are completely unpredictable. As you know, leaving your planet seems to have thrown your cycles into chaos. All the research I have done is yielding no clues whatsoever to the unique genetic makeup controlling the change. Frankly, I’m baffled.” He shook his head, “There is a first time for everything.” He went on, “I don’t believe there is any guarantee that you won’t go into cycle again prematurely. We could keep you in a holosimulation of your world, with a mimic of the gravity field, and the illusion of natural light cycles. With you living in there, 24 hours a day, your cycle might regulate itself. But that’s no life. Therefore, I have devised this.”
 
Between his thumb and forefinger, he held up the little black badge, which was in the shape of an inverted triangle and embedded with numerous tiny displays and a few buttons.

Caela reached out to touch it, but he moved and was attaching it to her sleeve, as his holoemitter was attached to his sleeve. “The purpose of this little device is threefold.” He stood back admiring his work. “It’s smashing. Looks lovely against the color of your sleeve.”

Her eyes went to Seven’s in question. Seven only gave her a nonlinear reassuring thought, and Caela listened as the Doctor went on.

“First, this is a sensor. It senses your biological activity and sends the data here to my lab.”
Caela had to ask, “Do you mean it will sense everything? My heart rate, breathing… my endorphins?”
Seven smiled to herself. She’d taught Caela about the endorphins released during sexual activity the first night they were together.

“Yes,” the Doctor said. “All neural activity, brain waves, changes in your genetic sequence. It is a powerful little device, and is sending as much information about you to my computers as one of these biobeds would. More, since it is calibrated specifically for you.” He continued, “Second, it will sense an imminent change in your DNA. It will alert you with an audible alarm-“ He paused and tapped the side of the badge.

A high-pitched sound pierced the air, and Caela slapped her hands over her ears, shutting her eyes against the horrible noise.

“Ooh” The Doctor adjusted the badge, and the sound came down one tone. “Terribly sorry. Is that better?”

Caela breathed again, and dropped her hands. She nodded. The noise was less painful but her ears were still ringing. The sound ceased.

It was Janeway who spoke now. “Caela, when that alarm sounds, you will have 30 seconds before automatic transport takes place. If the holodeck is available, you will be beamed into the secure holosimulation of your world. If the holodeck is not available, you will be beamed directly to the brig. Either way, in either place, you will stay there until your entire cycle- all three changes- has passed. Either way you will be guarded and observed.”

Janeway’s tone was so serious that Caela felt she should salute. She didn’t; she simply paid attention.
The Doctor added, “We can only hypothesize that your cycle will remain at three changes.”

Chakotay spoke to Caela, “Tom has been working on a second Holodeck for some time, in one of the cargo bays. It will be smaller, and in limited use. It should be ready within a few weeks. Holodeck 2. Hopefully you’ll never have to stay in the brig again.”

“Thank you, Chakotay.” Caela said, grateful for his friendly voice.

The Doctor cleared his throat, thus drawing their attention back to him. “Any questions?”

“Just one…” Caela looked to Janeway. “How long do I have? If the Doctor doesn’t find a way to stop my changes, how long do I have before I am asked to leave Voyager?”

Janeway shifted uncomfortably, and allowed Chakotay to answer. “We’ve decided, if you choose to, you’re welcome to stay on board Voyager indefinitely. Cure or no cure.”

Caela, unsure of what to make of this, no matter how honest Chakotay was, looked to Seven for reassurance. Seven immediately looked to Janeway, who approached Caela now.

“Do you wish to stay on Voyager?” She asked.

Caela nodded, “With all my heart, Kathryn. I do wish to stay.”

“All right. There are conditions.” Janeway named them. “You must cooperate fully with the Doctor while he searches for a way to cure you of or repress the Howl. You must wear the sensor at all times.”

“Yes.” Caela said, “Anything you ask, I’ll do.” She couldn’t help but wonder though…” How do you feel about this, Captain?”

Kathryn’s eyes puzzled for a moment. “Don’t you know?”

“No.” Caela answered. “I don’t.”

Kathryn noted this; it was the second time Caela had indicated an inability to read her. She addressed Caela’s question, in a round-about and semi-honest answer. “We have a long journey home. If you stay, you’ll be expected to work for the good of Voyager, and find a way to contribute. You’ll be expected to work within the command structure.”

“Adapt into the Voyager tribe.” Seven offered.

Janeway had turned to the console and still spoke, “And you’ll be expected to wear this.” She turned back to Caela. Her hand extended.

In her palm, a Starfleet combadge.

Caela’s eyes slowly blinked at Kathryn. She wanted so badly to know what was going on inside this woman right now. The physical indications of jealousy had been apparent when Kathryn learned of Caela and Seven. The anger had been obvious when Kathryn sent Caela to the brig. So why this, now?  Kathryn was a complex individual.

Seven took the combadge from Kathryn’s hand, and faced Caela. She attached it in the official Starfleet position, and stepped away.

Caela felt her eyes moistening. She touched the combadge, and looked back to Kathryn.

“Caela, there’s no need to be in shock.” Kathryn said, very happy that Caela couldn’t read her, but realizing it must be difficult for Caela to know that Kathryn was being sincere. “As long as you abide by those conditions, live under the rules of this ship, you are welcome to stay on board.”

There was no flush to Kathryn’s cheeks No deceit in the eyes to indicate a lie. Just the Captain, extending the hand of friendship. Caela found herself holding back tears. “Captain, I accept your kind offer.”

Chakotay smiled big, his eyes crinkling at their edges. “Wonderful.”

Janeway took Caela’s hand, gave it a little squeeze, and tried not to betray her doubts. “Welcome to the Voyager family.” She dropped her hand, turned to Chakotay. “I’ll be on the bridge. Doctor, Seven.” She nodded her quick good-byes, “Caela.”

Caela waited until the Sickbay doors had closed to step down off the biobed. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, and stared down at her combadge. “I feel as if I have a home again.”

“You do.” Chakotay said, and gave into the compulsion to hug her. He squeezed her tight, and then quickly let go. “This is an occasion to celebrate.”

The Doctor agreed, “I would be happy to sing for you.”

“No,” Caela said, thinking that Voyager must have a party for every occasion. “The ship must adjust to me. Adapt to me. Most aren’t ready to do that yet.”

Chakotay understood, “Well, then, you and Seven will have to have dinner with me. Just let me know when.”

Caela nodded. She looked up at the Doctor. Very suddenly, she threw her arms around him.
“Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.”

Taken totally by surprise, he flustered, “My pleasure, Caela.” He managed to hug her back, somewhat awkward.

She stepped away, and her hand was again in Seven’s. Now a few tears did fall from her eyes.

Seven tenderly wiped at them with her fingers. “Shall we see Naomi now?”

“Yes.”

The two women left Sickbay together, and Chakotay stayed behind, watching as they went, a smile still on his face.

The Doctor pulled out a tricorder. “Hmm… elevated heart beat, increase in respiratory rate, rise in body temperature.” He shook his head, made a tsk-tsk sound. “Commander. I’m afraid you’ve got it bad.”

“Yeah.” Chakotay laughed at himself. “I know.” He shook his head, rubbed his eyes with one hand. “I do. But, do me a favor? Don’t let on. I don’t think she knows.”

The Doctor pursed his lips, and set his tricorder on the nearest med tray. “All these years of meditating, vision quests and sweats have given you the advantage in this case.” He patted Chakotay on the shoulder. "My lips are sealed. I understand the importance of keeping certain feelings about certain people to yourself."

"Oh?" Chakotay was curious.

The Doctor smiled and said nothing. He stepped away, wondering out loud, "Caela didn't know how Kathryn felt. Interesting."

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Chakotay said, “Kathryn’s mind is one of the strongest and most willful I’ve ever come across.”

“That it is.” The Doctor agreed. “That it is.”

*

Chakotay had returned to the bridge to find Kathryn discussing navigation with Paris. She returned to her chair as Chakotay sat in his.

Quietly, she spoke to him. “Remind me again, Chakotay. Why haven’t I dropped her off on the nearest asteroid? Why did I just ask her to stay on my ship?”

He answered as quietly, “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“The past week has made me feel just so… so ridiculously juvenile.” Kathryn glibly smiled.

“I always knew,” He replied, “That Seven made you feel like a school girl.”

Kathryn leaned in closer to him. “I’m ready to put this behind me. I think you should consider doing the same.”

“Put it behind you?” Chakotay’s voice was audible to the entire bridge, and he lowered it quickly, “I won’t. I don’t think you should give up on Seven, Kathryn.”

She straightened in her chair, watched the view screen. “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”

“Robert Frost?”

Kathryn sighed. “It’s a long journey home, Chakotay. I have many, many things to give my attention to, and many people depending on me… Yes, it’s time to move on, so to speak.” She motioned toward the screen. “We’re approaching the Numari homeworld.” She referred to the race of aquatic humanoids who ruled this sector. “There’s trading to be done. The away team will be disembarking shortly.”

Chakotay asked. “I take it you’re going?”

She nodded. “The bridge is yours. I’ll be in my ready room.  Let me know when we’re in contact.” She left the bridge.

*

End part 7