Kathryn Janeway carefully picked her way around the assorted gear strewn about the site. She smiled to herself. They had been on 'Eden' as the crew dubbed the Class M planet for two weeks. After three months with almost no time for relaxation and six months since they had been able to actually stretch their legs on a planet, the crew had badly needed the break. 'Eden' had been perfect. It had temperate weather, friendly or at least not hostile fauna, abundant edible foods, not to mention stunning scenery. She looked around. The camp seemed deserted. She cocked her head to the side listening. The sounds of voices were carried to her across the wind. She headed towards the sounds. The light woods gave way to a blinding white beach. The sounds of laughter were now immediate. Janeway smiled. She had found the missing camp members. It was the third campsite she had visited today. She had to admit, looking at the beach and the beckoning waves; it was her favorite so far.
"Come on Seven. I'll hold on this time. I swear," Tom Paris called over the sound of the waves and tapping the board he was holding. Seven stood waist deep in the water. Her hair had tumbled around her shoulders and was dripping water. She glared at Tom as she carefully removed strands of plankton from the suit she was wearing.
"I do not see the point of this exercise," she stated coldly with a bit of distaste in her voice.
"Its not an exercise Seven," B'Elanna piped in at Toms pleading glance. "Its supposed to be fun."
Seven gave B'Elanna a disbelieving look.
"Just one more time Seven," Tom pleaded. "Then if you still want to quit you can."
Seven looked from B'Elanna to Tom then sighed.
"Very well, Ensign Paris. I will make another attempt to 'surf'," she capitulated.
Janeway watched amused as Tom attempted to show Seven how to stand on a surfboard. B'Elanna waded out of the water and plopped down beside the captain.
"You're just in time," she told Janeway. "Tom's giving surfing lessons. You can be next in line."
Janeway laughed as Seven took another dunking.
"I think I'll pass on the water torture," she said. Then she waved towards the pair in the water. "What's with Seven's suit?" she asked indicating the Borg's swimwear that looked suspiciously like a velocity suit. B'Elanna laughed.
"I tried to get her to wear a regular swimsuit, but she took one look at it and flatly refused," B'Elanna said shaking her head.
Seven emerged from the surf resembling a drowned rat. She stopped in front of B'Elanna and the captain.
"It looks like you've been enjoying the water Seven," Janeway said managing, barely, to keep the laughter out of her voice.
"I have been attempting to surf," Seven replied seriously. "The endeavor has not gone well," she continued slightly abashed.
"It takes practice," Janeway replied tactfully. "I was going to take a walk along the beaches of paradise. Would you two like to join me?" she asked addressing Seven and B'Elanna. B'Elanna shook her head.
"Not me. I'm going to join Tom in the water," she said and with that got up and trotted to the surf. Tom grabbed her up and swung her around. He gave her a swift kiss before tossing the shrieking half-Klingon into the water. Seven watched for a moment with a wistful expression on her face before turning to the captain.
"I will join you Captain," she declared.
"Good," Janeway replied holding a hand out. "Help me up and we'll get going."
Seven grasped the captain's hand and pulled her to her feet.
"Captain?" Seven began.
"What is it Seven?" Janeway asked.
Seven shifted. "I do not understand your reference to paradise or why, the crew calls this planet Eden." she stated.
"Are you familiar with creation myths?" she asked Seven.
Seven nodded. "I have read the story about 'The Garden of Eden', but I do not understand it," she admitted.
"The Garden of Eden was a paradise. It was…perfection," she said knowing that Seven would understand that description.
Seven nodded. "But humans did not remain in Eden," she said.
"No," Kathryn shook her head. "In the myth there was a tree in the garden and eating the fruit bestowed knowledge. Knowledge of right from wrong, good from evil. In addition, once the knowledge was obtained it bestowed choice. Once there was a choice between right and wrong, good and evil, paradise was lost," she finished.
Seven shook her head. "It is confusing," she admitted. "Human's value their right to choose what they will do and are willing to die to preserve it, yet their idea of perfection is no choice," she sighed. She did not think she would ever understand being human.
Janeway glanced over at Seven. The young woman had a pained expression on her face and took an odd hitch step every couple of feet. Janeway finally stopped.
"Seven," she said turning, "What is wrong?"
Seven grimaced. "I have sand in my clothes," she looked at Janeway for a moment then almost whined. "It chafes."
Janeway laughed and waved at the secluded cove they were in. "No one is here. Take it off and rinse the sand out of it."
Seven stared at Janeway for a moment taken aback by the suggestion. It was certainly the logical procedure, but for some reason, the thought of disrobing in front of the captain was unnerving.
"I will wait," she replied evenly.
Janeway sighed, "Well if you want to, but you'll certainly be raw later," she said with a mischievous grin. Janeway watched the uncertainty flicker in Seven's eyes. She wondered why she was pressing the young woman so hard on the issue. She was sure it had nothing to do with the fantasies she had about what lay under Seven's Borg biosuits.
"Very well," Seven replied.
Janeway quickly reined in her mind as it began to wander to forbidden territory when she realized Seven was speaking to her.
"I'm sorry. What did you say Seven?" Janeway asked hoping the heat would explain the redness in her cheeks.
"I said, 'Very well'. I will rinse my clothing here," Seven repeated staring at Janeway. It was unlike the captain to become distracted in the middle of the conversation and she appeared flushed. Perhaps the captain is overheated, Seven thought and made a note to keep an eye on the captain's condition as she turned and started to undress.
Janeway stood frozen as Seven started to disrobe. She knew she should turn around. She knew she should give Seven some privacy. However, as each bit of Seven's skin was exposed all she could do was stare while a little voice chanted in her head Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. The abdominal implants that showed so clearly in the biosuits were surprisingly unobtrusive. There were a half dozen bands a finger's width wide. The bands meshed seamlessly with the smooth skin hugging Seven's torso. They merged at her spine where they tapered together and disappeared at the swell of her hips. The obtrusive ridges, Janeway realized, must be part of Seven's biosuit.
Seven shot a look over her shoulder at Janeway. The captain had an odd look on her face and her heart rate and respiration were greatly increased. Seven turned with concern.
"Captain are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
Janeway blamed it on the heat. She blamed it on being stranded without companionship for six years. She blamed it on the planet that anywhere in the Alpha Quadrant would be considered an ideal romantic get away. She blamed it on Tom Paris for getting sand in Seven's suit. As ridiculous as the excuses were she had to blame it on something, because what came out of her mouth next was inexcusable for a Starfleet captain.
"You are exquisite," she breathed softly.
Seven's eyebrows shot up so high that the ocular implants met her hairline.
"Explain," she said cocking her head to the side.
Janeway hesitated a moment "Exquisite is…attractive, uh, beautiful," she amended, uncharacteristically fumbling for words.
Seven gave a small snort. "I understand the definition of 'exquisite'," she said haughtily. "What I want to know is why you find me so.
Janeway's mouth opened and closed several times as words failed her. How did she explain the way her heart had stopped the first time she saw the blonde, blue-eyed beauty that emerged from the pale, impersonal drone? How did she explain the itching tingle in her fingers whenever she was in Seven's presence? How did she explain that she just had to touch Seven sometimes to relieve a little of that itch? How did she explain the anticipation she had when they clashed wills? Oh god, how did she explain the dreams she had at night?
When Janeway did not answer, Seven gestured at her implants.
"This drone is imperfect as a human," she said, the reversion to Borg speech the only indication of her unease. "Without these implants I would die, but I am neither Borg nor human now," she finished somewhat sadly.
"Oh no Seven. They make you unique," Janeway said stepping forward involuntarily and putting a hand on Seven's shoulder. A mistake she realized as soon as she felt the soft bare skin under her fingers. She inhaled sharply as her heart tried to jump out of her chest. She couldn't stop herself. Slowly she reached up and kissed Seven softly on the lips. Then she turned away abruptly and ran her fingers through her hair. Oh god. What have I done?
"I'm sorry Seven," Janeway said hoarsely. "That was inexcusable."
Seven stood bemused by Janeway's behavior. Quickly, she ran through the events that led up to the kiss. She cross-referenced them with the doctor's lessons and the data she had accumulated on human behavior. Satisfied that she was not misinterpreting Janeway's actions, she pondered what to do next. She frowned. The doctor's lessons had not covered this particular scenario.
"Explain," she finally said.
Janeway whirled around. "What do you mean explain?" she choked. "Seven, I am the captain. For me to put a member of my crew, or anyone for that matter, in a compromising situation like this is unacceptable. What's worse is you have no point of reference for this. You're inexperienced. I'm supposed to be guiding you in your quest for humanity not trying to seduce you. If anyone else did what I just did I would…" Janeway's tirade cut off as Seven stepped forward and captured her lips. Kathryn groaned as the kiss deepened. She desperately tried to hang onto rational thought. She lost the last thread, however, as Seven moaned and softly pressed against her. Kathryn slid her hands around Seven and ran a finger down her spine into the small of her back as she delicately explored the contours of skin and metal.
Seven shuddered as unexplainable butterflies invaded her stomach. She pulled back to catch her breath, then gasped at the wave of desire that washed over her at the touch of Kathryn's lips on her neck. Kathryn paused, wondering briefly if the gasp was one of dislike or just surprise, but when Seven didn't move she kissed the bare neck again slowly moving to the shoulders. Seven trembled slightly. She had not known that human touch could feel so good. The emotions welling up inside were overpowering. She had not considered herself desirable. After the one disastrous date, she had decided that intimate relationships were irrelevant. Rejection was too painful. It was better to avoid such situations. She pulled away slightly to look into Kathryn's eyes. Kathryn swallowed hard at the desire shinning hungrily at her from Seven's eyes and the uncertainty. Suddenly she was afraid. Seven was so beautiful and, despite her outer strength, she was extraordinarily fragile. Seven leaned forward slowly. Kathryn saw the hesitancy flicker in the deep blue eyes and leaned to meet her halfway. The kiss grew in intensity as desire rose over them. It was too strong for them to fight. They sank to the ground as the kisses deepened. Kathryn moved down placing tiny kisses across Seven's neck and chest. She looked up at Seven's moan and raised up so she could take in the beauty that lay beneath her. Seven reached up and began to unbutton Kathryn's top. Kathryn froze. She was illogically afraid that any movement would send Seven flying away from her. Seven moved slowly to button after button until they were all undone. Then, without looking up, she slipped the shirt off of Kathryn's shoulders. Seven's eyes widened as they trailed up the flat plane of Kathryn's stomach to the swell of her breasts held in the confines of a black lace bra. She struggled to breathe for a moment then she could not wait. She reached with trembling fingers to unclasp the front holding the pieces of lace together. She stopped and looked up at Kathryn. Kathryn hadn't moved as she let Seven undress her. She had watched a range of emotions flicker across the pale features. Now she saw what?
"What is it Seven?" she asked softly. Seven dropped her hand as she turned her head away.
"I do not…I am not…" she paused flustered. Seven mentally borrowed one of B'Elanna's Klingon curses. For all the data she had waded through she had never researched the actual mechanics of what she now wanted to do. She was sure this lack of preparation would result in Kathryn finding her inadequate.
Kathryn leaned down. "Look at me Seven," she said. Seven shook her head.
"Look at me," Kathryn demanded. Seven turned her head and Kathryn bent and kissed her softly and slowly letting all the desire and love she felt show. Seven closed her eyes. Kathryn was not going to turn her away, she thought elated. She returned the kisses with a passion that started somewhere deep inside before boiling over. She let out a low moan as she wrapped her arms around Kathryn's neck pulling her closer. Kathryn tried to keep herself under control but the moan and the feel of Seven's arms pulling her down set free the last string of restraint she had. She fell on Seven feeling the wondrously soft body against her own. It had been so damn long. Then all thought left and all she was aware of was the feel of Seven's body beneath her. Kathryn slid her hands down Seven's sides and across the swell of hips and down long slender legs. Seven felt as if she were drowning. The sensations were overwhelming. For a brief moment she tried to analyze what was happening but gave up as she let the tide of emotions roll over her and carry her beyond any point of return. Her fingers found the clasp of Kathryn's bra and she soon discarded it. Not sure what she should do next, she hesitated.
Kathryn leaned back.
"What?" she questioned.
Seven smiled. Not a big smile Kathryn noted but it was very, very sexy.
"Show me," Seven demanded reaching for the belt on Kathryn's pants. Kathryn inhaled sharply at the touch of Seven's hands. Later she did not remember removing her clothes, but suddenly, they were gone. Then they were together with their legs wrapped around one another. Seven let her hands explore. She reveled in the soft contours of Kathryn's body. She closed her eyes. She never knew how wonderful it was to touch someone. Kathryn gasped as Seven's hand floated across her breast. Seven's eyes flew open at Kathryn's gasp. She searched Kathryn's face for a moment, and then somewhere inside Seven knew that her touch had the power to provide pleasure to Kathryn. She knew now that Kathryn shared the new emotions that she was experiencing. Seven smiled, a slow sweet smile, not realizing how it made her look. Confidence flooded her as she tumbled Kathryn onto her back. She knelt over Kathryn and bent kissing first one breast then the other, moving back and forth connecting them with a stream of kisses. Kathryn moaned. Her hands reached up and tangled in Sevens' hair pulling her closer. Seven obliged. Her mouth closing softly over the smooth firm breast, her tongue circling it slowly. Engrossed in the sensation she gasped suddenly as she felt Kathryn's hand move up between her legs. Kathryn grinned at her.
"You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun did you?" she half whispered. Seven closed her eyes and shuddered as wave after wave of heat flooded though her. Finally, they lay in each other's arms. Seven pillowed her head on Kathryn's shoulders as she dozed. Their bodies were glistening with sweat.
What have I done? Kathryn thought. She blushed as she thought about how she had just behaved. She had never been a victim of passion before. In fact, she was so conventional she bordered on boring. However, with Seven she had let all of her emotions loose. It had been a long time since she had been with anyone. She had tried to chase away the shadows of loneliness but was always left feeling empty and lost. Eventually she had quit trying and had isolated herself by warding off any advances of friendship, let alone anything more, with cold eyes and an abrupt attitude. Until Seven walked into her life. Arrogant, intelligent, lost child Seven. Beautiful, sexy, passionate Seven. With a start, Kathryn realized that she felt alive again. She smiled and snuggled closer as she drifted off to sleep.
B'Elanna walked down the beach looking for shells. She stopped abruptly as a sound reached her ears. Curious, she peered around the rocks and froze. The captain and Seven, a stark naked Seven, were kissing passionately. As they sank to the ground, B'Elanna blushed and spun away stalking rapidly down the beach.
"Hey B'Elanna," Tom called. "Where are you going? We haven't explored the cove up ahead," he said.
B'Elanna grabbed his arm and turned him the other the direction.
"And we aren't going to either," she told him.
"What?" Tom looked at her confused. "We've been planning on it all day," he said.
"Tom," B'Elanna said warningly.
A low moan reached their ears from behind the rocks. Tom paused turning his head to the side as he listened. Then he blushed as he realized the reason for the noises. Tom frowned at B'Elanna.
"I didn't know anyone was up here," he said. "I thought just the captain and Sev...Oh," Tom broke off suddenly. He grabbed B'Elanna's arm.
"Let's go back this way," he said hurrying down the beach.
Janeway sat down on a log next to Seven. Suddenly the other crewmembers all decided on other places they needed to be. Janeway smiled. She didn't think she and Seven had been that obvious, but apparently the word was out and her crew was trying very hard to give them some privacy. She sighed. The last few days on Eden had passed quickly and now it was almost time to get back to Voyager and the real world. She looked over at Seven.
"One last walk down the beach?" Janeway asked.
Seven nodded and silently got to her feet. As they walked away, they could hear the first hum of transporters taking the crew back to the ship.
"Voyager to Captain Janeway," Chakotay's voice broke the silence. Kathryn sat leaning against Seven. She tapped her badge.
"Go ahead Commander," she said.
"Everyone's aboard Captain," he reported.
"Good. I think we're going to stay just a bit longer Commander. There's one last sunset we need to see," Janeway said.
"Aye Captain. Just let us know when you're ready," Chakotay replied with a smile in his voice.
"Commander," Ensign Kim called from the operations console. "Scans indicate an incoming ion storm," he looked across the bridge at Chakotay. "It looks like a big one sir."
Chakotay half turned. "ETA?" he asked.
Ensign Kim's hands were flying across the panel. "Five minutes," he said. "If we can get behind this moon," he said routing the coordinates to Chakotay's panel, "We should be buffered from the worst of it."
Chakotay nodded. "Tom set a course," he said then tapped his badge. "Voyager to Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here."
"Captain, there's an incoming ion storm. We are going to take shelter behind the moon. We can beam you out now or wait until tomorrow. Harry thinks it will have passed by 1200 hours."
Janeway lay half draped across Seven. She turned and looked at their clothes strewn up and down the beach.
"I believe we'll wait until morning commander. Good luck," she said.
"Understood Captain, Voyager out."
Kathryn sat wrapped in Seven's arms as they watched the moon rise in the night sky. Knowing they were the only two people on the planet gave it a surreal quality Janeway thought.
"Look," she point up, "A falling star," she told Seven.
Seven watched the glowing object. It did not appear to be a typical meteorite. She frowned as it lit the sky. The brightly colored flames were congruent with burning plasma she realized suddenly.
"Captain," she began just as Janeway spoke.
"Oh god, Seven that's not a meteorite," she said in horror as they watched it plunge into the sea.
Janeway sat hugging her knees and rocking back and forth on the beach. Her throat ached with unshed tears. She had tried so very hard to remain optimistic, but as the debris began to wash up on the shore she could no longer deny the truth. Voyager had gone down. It didn't help that she didn't even know why. She gulped trying to breathe. An iron fist had clamped down on her chest ever since the night of the crash. Her eyes watered with unshed tears. Kathryn bit down on her lip as she tried to keep the hysteria from bubbling to the surface. She tasted blood and realized she had bitten through her lip. For a moment she held on using the pain to focus, then slowly unclamped her jaw. Memories of her crew, of her ship raced through her mind. She kept going over and over the little bit of information she had. It still didn't make sense to her. She hugged her legs tighter. It hurt so damn bad. She could feel blackness descending on her and she was afraid. Through the darkness she turned and saw Seven sitting far enough away to give her privacy yet close enough to keep an eye on her. Kathryn lurched to her feet and stumbled towards Seven. Seven stood as Kathryn approached. Kathryn didn't say a word. She slid her hands into Seven's hair and yanked the blonde to her. Seven winced as Kathryn's fingers twisted her hair tightly. Kathryn kissed her…hard. At the tasted of blood Seven pulled back alarmed.
"Kathryn?" she asked confused by the small woman's actions. Kathryn pulled Seven back to her roughly and kissed her again. She broke off moving to Seven's neck alternating between biting and kissing.
"Make me forget," she begged in a hoarse voice. "Make me forget."
Suddenly Seven understood. She pulled Kathryn into her arms and began to kiss her and touch her and erase, for the moment, the haunting memories.
Seven watched Kathryn sleep for a long time. The emotions hammering her were overwhelming. Quietly she got up and walked down the beach to the cove where they had first made love. At the edge of the water, she carefully washed the blood from her shoulder. Her fingers traced the lines Kathryn's nails had made. She shuddered and the tears began to fall. She stood looking out over Voyager's grave as sobs racked her body.
"A beautiful woman crying on paradise. The universe must be coming to an end."
Seven whirled at the voice. A tall man dressed in loose trousers and overlarge tunic stood a few feet away staring at her.
"Who are you?" Seven demanded. "How did you get here? Do you have a ship?" she asked.
He shook his shaggy head.
"No I have no ship," he replied mildly.
Seven cocked her head to the side.
"You are from the Continuum," she stated.
He pursed his lips as he pondered her statement.
"I have been know to associate with them on occasion," he replied finally, "But no. I am not from the Continuum."
He stepped closer and raised a hand to her implants. Seven tried not to flinch.
"You are Borg," he stated walking around her as if she were on exhibit. Seven turned her head slightly following his movements.
"Borg do not cry," he stated with certainty. "Borg do not feel. Emotions are irrelevant."
"I am no longer Borg. I am…" Seven paused.
"You are what?" he goaded.
Seven inhaled deeply. "I am human," she declared.
He reached and captured a tear from her cheek and held it up for her to see.
"Tell me," he said marveling at the drop of moisture, "Do you like being human? Do you like this…pain?"
Seven looked at him in confusion. "I am human," she repeated. "I do not wish to be anything else."
"Even with the pain?" he asked.
Seven nodded. "Yes," she replied firmly.
"What about your friend?" he asked walking slowly up the beach.
Seven followed.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Would you take her pain away?" He asked. "Would you take her pain as your own?"
"I would, but I regret I do not know of a way to accomplish this endeavor," she admitted.
"Ah but there are choices," he replied cryptically.
"Choices?" Seven asked.
"Oh yes," he replied. "You have accepted your humanity. You have earned the right to choose now," he said.
"What choices?" Seven demanded.
He reached out to her.
"Come, take my hand. I will show you," he said.
Seven grasped his hand and suddenly they were there. All the paths of the universe open for her to examine. All the choices she could make were there. He dropped her hand.
"Which path have you chosen?" he asked softly.
Seven swallowed hard as she stepped from her alcove and remembered - everything. She turned and saw Kathryn standing before her. She took a deep breath. So it begins, she thought.
"Seven of Nine; Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix Zero One," the drone said as she slowly walked around Tuvok.
"But you may call me Seven of Nine," she continued as she walked around Janeway.
Janeway raised her eyebrows as she shot Tuvok a look. This was going to be interesting she thought then turned her attention to the task at hand.
"You're human, aren't you?" Janeway asked.
"This body was assimilated 18 years ago. It ceased to be human at that time," Seven replied
"I'm curious; what was your name before…."
Seven cut Janeway off. "Do not engage us in further irrelevant discourse," she snapped. She quickly turned away before Kathryn could see the tremor in her hands. She sighed inwardly with relief as Kathryn chose not to pursue the matter.
Seven moved across the room ignoring the two Starfleet officers. Her mind was racing ahead. She had spent the last eighteen years planning for this moment. Quickly she entered the Borg console that would set her plan into action. Janeway and Tuvok looked around in confusion as the cube suddenly lost power and one by one the drones around them slid to the floor. All the drones that is except for the lone female.
"What's going on here," Janeway demanded pulling the drone around.
Seven looked haughtily at Janeway.
"I am taking you home," she stated to a shocked Janeway.
Before Janeway or Tuvok could speak the familiar hum of a transporter sounded in their ears.
Janeway looked around the engine room of Voyager in confusion. B'Elanna looked up.
"What's going on here," she demanded unknowingly repeating Janeway's earlier question.
"Lt. Torres," Seven addressed the half Klingon, "We must work quickly before the Borg recover or species 8472 return," she said.
B'Elanna looked from the Borg drone to the captain and back again in obvious confusion. Seven gave a frustrated sigh.
"We have exactly fourteen minutes, twenty three seconds to get the transwarp coil installed and the deflector array reconfigured before the Borg cube comes back on line. Precisely forty-eight seconds after that a singularity will open from which species 8472 will emerge. If Voyager is not gone by then, one or the other will destroy us," she stated in very human tones of exasperation.
B'Elanna looked at Janeway again. Janeway hesitated a moment then nodded to B'Elanna.
"Do it," she commanded.
B'Elanna nodded in acknowledgement and moved to Seven's side where the two women quickly began to work.
Thirteen minuets later B'Elanna hailed the bridge.
"Captain. We're ready to charge the deflector array," she said excitedly. She didn't know why the Borg drone was helping them, but she understood what it was doing and it just might work.
On the bridge, Janeway nodded.
"Charge the array," she said. "Helm stand by to engage transwarp."
"Aye Captain," Tom Paris called from the helm.
"Captain," B'Elanna called from Engineering, "The array is working, an opening to a subspace corridor is appearing."
"Tom," Janeway said calmly, "Engage."
Janeway held her breath as Voyager sat suspended for a moment then leapt forward to the subspace opening at transwarp speed.
"Chakotay, I'll be in Engineering," she called as she left the command chair, "You have the bridge," she said and left without waiting for his reply.
In Engineering she found Lt. Torres and the Borg drone working frantically at the consoles.
"What's the problem?" she asked correctly discerning that not all was well.
"Voyager's deflector array is not strong enough to project a long distance ahead," the drone answered Janeway's question. "We must manually update it's commands to prevent the subspace corridor from collapsing."
Janeway looked at B'Elanna.
"What she said," B'Elanna half snapped distractedly while her fingers flew over the keypad.
"Damn," B'Elanna swore. "We've got a feedback loop that's causing the warp core to overheat."
Seven looked up at Janeway for a second, drinking in the site of the captain.
"Kathryn," she said.
Janeway looked up in surprise at the use of her first name by the drone.
"I can correct the feedback loop. You must continue to update the array," she said indicating the panel she was working on.
Janeway nodded and moved to the console. Seven stepped away and walked to the main computer console in Engineering. She released her Borg tubules and connected with the ship. Janeway looked up as she heard the drone cry out. Seven stood linked with the ship. Her face was contorted in obvious pain as she fought to overcome the feedback loop.
"B'Elanna," Janeway cried.
B'Elanna looked up and saw the drone. She moved over and punched some commands in the computer. She looked up at the drone frowning, as the commands had no effect. She had no love of Borg but then this was no ordinary Borg. B'Elanna stepped back, took a deep breath, and called on her entire Klingon ancestry. It was time for a bigger spanner, she thought. Then she put her head down and charged. The force of her impact ripped the drone from the console and sent the two flying across Engineering's deck. The warp core pulsated a couple of times then went quiet. Janeway slapped her combadge.
"Janeway to the bridge, report," she snapped. The silence was deafening. She was about to hail the bridge again when Chakotay's shaken voice sounded in the quiet room.
"Bridge here captain," he said. "We're…" he stopped and took an audible breath and started again. "We're out of Borg space," he said. "We're 55,000 light years out of Borg space," he finished.
Janeway stood stunned. 55,000 light years. Laughter bubbled up inside as she realized what exactly that meant. That meant they were less than six months from home.
"Captain," B'Elanna called urgently.
Janeway looked over and saw the engineer bending over the drone. She hurried over and knelt beside her. The drone was barely breathing.
"Computer, medical emergency, two to beam directly to sickbay."
The doctor stepped away from the biobed. At Janeway's questioning look he shook his head.
"I'm sorry captain. The best I can do is make her comfortable," he said sadly.
Janeway took a deep breath. Voyager owed a debt to this strange, remarkable being that they could never repay. She walked to the side of the bed. The Borg drone looked up at her and surprised Janeway by reaching out a hand. Janeway quickly caught it and held it tight.
"Why?" Janeway asked softly.
"Because you loved me, Kathryn," the drone replied softly then closed her eyes.
The doctor hurried over as the monitor buzzed gloomily. He ran the tricorder over the drone then shook his head.
"I'm sorry Captain," he said then retreated.
Janeway sat holding the still hand for a very long time.
Janeway walked through the empty corridor. It was late and the ship was quiet. It seemed that she was the only one to feel the loss of the Borg drone. The rest of the crew was high on the exhilaration of almost reaching home. Her head jerked up at a sound ahead of her. In the corridor, a tall statuesque blonde was walking towards her. When they met, the blonde nodded.
"Captain," she greeted in cool tones as she walked by. Janeway whirled around but there was no one in the corridor. She rubbed her forehead. She must be more tired than she realized. She turned around and headed for her quarters.
Janeway stalked the ship again the next night. The night before, her dreams had been haunted by blue eyes and blonde hair. She was not in a hurry to return to the disturbing dreams. She purposely avoided the area she had traversed the night before. When she reached the doors to Cargo Bay Two she stopped in surprise. Then she shrugged and activated the doors. She froze as she stepped inside. Part of the cargo bay had been transformed into a Borg alcove, an occupied Borg alcove at that. The same tall blonde from the night before stood, eyes closed in one of the bays.
"Regeneration cycle complete."
Janeway jumped at the sound of the computer's announcement.
The blonde opened her eyes, instantly alert. She stepped out of the alcove.
"Captain," she said in a husky voice, "Did you wish to see me?" she asked. Janeway stood glued in place for a moment then turned and fled.
"Captain."
Janeway gasped out loud and whirled around holding her hand to her chest. Tuvok frowned.
"Captain, are you alright?" he asked concern evident in his Vulcan features.
Janeway took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Tuvok. You startled me," she explained.
"Obviously, Captain," Tuvok pointed out. "The question is why," he stated logically, then waited patiently.
Janeway sighed and turned her back to him again.
"I've been…seeing things, Tuvok," she said abruptly.
Tuvok frowned at her statement.
"What sort of things?" he asked.
Janeway gave a short laugh. "A woman. A tall, blonde woman that utilizes Borg alcoves," she elaborated.
Tuvok cocked his head as he considered the information.
"It could possibly be a result of your subconscious dealing with the death of the Borg drone," he offered.
"Possibly," Janeway replied noncommittally.
"Perhaps this will help," Tuvok said holding out his hand. Janeway turned and looked at him.
"What is that?" she asked.
"It is the cortical implant from the Borg drone," he said. "The doctor removed it so we could have access to Borg data."
Janeway's stomach twisted suddenly. She could not deal with this. She was going to be sick.
Tuvok continued unaware of the captain's turmoil.
"However, we cannot access the data. It is encrypted with a Starfleet encryption code," he said and looked cryptically at Janeway.
Janeway swallowed hard to keep the contents of her stomach in place.
"If its Starfleet then we should be able to easily decrypt the code," she said harshly.
"Indeed we could, however, Captain, it is encrypted with your personal code," he stated calmly.
Janeway stared at Tuvok with shock clearly written on her
face. Tuvok nodded pleasantly.
"I will leave this with you captain," he said setting the cortical implant on
the table then left the room.
Janeway stared at the implant, torn between revulsion and curiosity. Finally she carefully picked it up and headed to her quarters. Inside she interfaced the implant with her console. For a moment the screen was blank, then the computer prompted her for the access code. Janeway manually typed in the code not trusting her voice to speak clearly. The screen flickered then type appeared. Janeway read through the instructions twice in disbelief then abruptly cut the connection.
Janeway walked agitatedly down the corridor. This was insane she decided. First she was seeing things. Then the cortical implant had her access code on it, her personal access code at that. She stopped outside the holodeck. An open program was running. Just what she needed. She would socialize with the crew for awhile. She had just been spending too much time alone brooding. She stepped inside. The white sand and sounds of waves greeted her. She looked around pleased at the location. She lifted her face to the humid breeze. She licked her lips and tasted the slight salt flavor in the air. Whoever programmed this did an incredible job she thought. It was incredibly realistic. She looked around. There should be someone around somewhere. Then she heard the sounds of laughter. She smiled. That was more like it. She walked towards the sounds. As she rounded the bend, she stopped. Her heart, she was sure, was going to explode from her chest. Crewmembers were scattered about the beach. In the water, Lt. Tom Paris was holding a board.
"Come on Seven. I'll hold on this time. I swear," Tom Paris called over the sound of the waves and tapping the board he was holding. The blonde stood waist deep in the water. Her hair had tumbled around her shoulders and was dripping water. She glared at Tom as she carefully removed strands of plankton from the suit she was wearing.
"I do not see the point of this exercise," she stated coldly with a bit of distaste in her voice.
"Its not an exercise Seven," B'Elanna piped in at Toms pleading glance. "Its supposed to be fun."
She gave B'Elanna a disbelieving look.
"Just one more time Seven," Tom pleaded. "Then if you still want to quit you can."
The blonde looked from B'Elanna to Tom then sighed.
"Very well, Ensign Paris. I will make another attempt to 'surf'," she capitulated.
Janeway turned and ran. She brushed past crewmembers in the corridors but didn't care. She was oblivious to the stares they gave their captain. She ran until she was exhausted. Finally, she ended up back at her quarters. She pushed her sweaty hair from her face as she entered. She snorted as she caught sight of her reflection. It was a wonder Tuvok hadn't sent a security team to subdue her and carry her to sickbay. She walked over to the table and warily circled the Borg component. Then, before she lost her nerve she picked it up and held it to the back of her head. She was breathing heavily and it wasn't the effect of the run. Then she thumbed the small activation button on the side and gasped as the implant attached itself to her skull, then the pain was gone.
Janeway opened her eyes. Tears were streaming down her face. She blinked them away and realized she was in sickbay. The doctor, Chakotay, and Tuvok were hovering worriedly. She swayed slightly and Chakotay reached out to steady her.
"Captain?" It was a question but he wasn't sure what he was asking. Janeway slowly reached up and detached the implant. She looked at the three men.
"Her name was Seven of Nine, and I loved her," Janeway said softly then turned and walked out the door.
END