'Regeneration cycle incomplete'

Clasping her hands behind her back, she splayed her legs evenly and stood facing her guest.

"Captain," she stated "may I be of assistance?"

The smaller, auburn haired woman had spent some time in the cargo bay? watching her, thinking about what to say at this exact point in time. However, theory does not always work so well in reality, as Kathryn Janeway was quickly discovering. She found herself unable to remember a single word of their imaginary, but much-practised conversation. Pausing momentarily, she took a breath, smiled, and began.

"Actually Seven, I'd really just like to? talk."

"We are to engage in a philosophical discussion?"

Kathryn paused again, trying to maintain her composure.

(Well, this was never going to be easy?)

"Yes, in a sense. I would like us to further discuss humanity, in particular, emotions. Feelings."

Seven eyed her quizzically, raising the cortical implant that adorned her left eyebrow.

"Feelings," she repeated "please state the? 'feelings' we are to discuss."

(Casual, Kathryn? work it in casually - don't be too obvious, for God's sake?)

"Well? we've covered quite a range of emotions in our past discussions?"

(Good start, keep going? remember, light, casual - just a chat between friends?)

"Your progress has been quite?. startling, actually. So much so that I feel you ready to move on to more complex emotions? and interactions?"

"You are referring to a mutual dependency," Seven interrupted "based on physical attraction and emotional compatibility. Love?"

(Dammit! Too obvious!)

She shifted uncomfortably as she felt a small trickle of sweat trail from her palm, and down the index finger of her right hand. Subtly, she pressed the hand to her trouser leg, willing the material to absorb the superfluous moisture. Inhaling deeply, she smiled and tried to hold Seven in what she hoped to be an intense gaze.

"Yes," it came as little more than a croak "I'd be very interested to hear your opinions on the subject."

"Very well. According to the data I have assimilated, love is an? erratic emotion. It distorts the judgement of the affected party, causing them to function improperly. Love is inefficient. However, without this particular emotion, many individuals would no longer feel the desire to copulate. As this would cause the eventual deterioration and extinction of numerous species, love is a? necessary emotion."

Kathryn's heart sank deeper with every word. She visibly winced at her use of the word 'copulate'? such a clinical term! Seven had shown no understanding, no feeling? did she feel nothing? Did this mean she felt nothing? for her?

(Oh, God. What the hell do I say to that?)

"How romantic," she muttered, dryly.

"Romance is irrelevant," came the inevitable reply.

Kathryn stopped still, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

"Computer? freeze program."

She stood in silence for a moment, regarding the beautiful figure stood perfectly motionless before her.

(Oh, Seven? you made it sound like some horrible disease? and I thought you had come so far?)

Suddenly, she was overtaken by her own frustration.

"Dammit Kathryn!!! If you can't even tell a hologram how you feel, what chance do you have with the real Seven?!" she yelled.

(This is pathetic. Hold it together for goodness' sake? oh, God? look at her...)

Slowly, she stepped in closer to the Seven simulation. Kathryn found it liberating that in her holodeck time, she could stare at Seven unashamedly? no repercussions, no protocols to adhere to.

No danger of rejection.

(So beautiful? she truly is perfection. The irony of it all is that she doesn't even know?)

Kathryn lifted a hand and cupped the holographic Seven's jaw. Softly, she traced a thumb across her full, soft lips and smiled wistfully. She lifted a tendril of her blonde hair back into place, and searched her eyes for some glimmer? of what? Emotion? Hope? No, of course not. That wasn't what she wanted. She wanted the one thing that she was unsure that Seven could provide.

Love.

Gently, she threaded her arms through the hologram's, and held her in a soft embrace. Oh, how she had wanted this! She closed her eyes tightly, trying to imagine that this was real, that Seven truly loved and needed her. A small tear fought it's way out and trailed down her cheek, coming to rest at the side of her mouth. This was what she needed? so tired of simply being the captain of a ship? she needed to feel like a woman. She knew only Seven could give her that.

"Oh? Seven," her voice cracked as she whispered "please, love me?"

Overcome, she let go. Resting her head against Seven's chest, she sobbed heavily, whispering her fears and insecurities through a wave of a hundred emotions. This was the first time she had ever allowed herself to be weak since the day she took command of Voyager, and it felt incredible. She shook with relief, with sadness and desperation? with unrequited love. For hours she spoke to the frozen program of her feelings, how what she wanted more than anything else in the world, even more than returning to Earth, was for Seven to adore her, the way that she adored Seven.

"I just want?" she rasped "for you to hold me?to kiss me. Just once, once would be enough? but, I need to know how it feels?"

Her voice trailed off, and she once again lapsed into tears, pulling the hologram closer, holding it so tightly that it appeared she would die if she were ever to let go. She nuzzled Seven's neck, taking comfort in the fact that she at least had her simulation to hold, even if it wasn't actually active at the time. Once again, she closed her eyes as she inhaled Seven's scent, and imagined the young borg's arms enveloping her.

(My God, it even smells like Seven? I can almost feel her arms? I? I? can? What the?)

Kathryn's eyes flew to the hologram's arm. It was moving! She froze utterly, in horror.

"Computer!" she half called, half cried "freeze program!!!"

The computer chirruped it's response? and yet, the arm still moved? and now the other.

(No? oh, please no? this can't be happening!)

"Captain," said Seven, quietly " there is no cause for alarm? I am merely fulfilling your? request."

(Oh, God? it's her, it's really her? Kathryn, you're a fool!)

"Seven!" she choked "how? ? Why..?"

Recoiling, she gasped for air? but none came, and her knees buckled beneath her. Seven gripped her arms to give her some support.

"Please, Captain," Seven almost pleaded "Sit down? and allow me to explain my actions."

"Sit down?" she whispered hoarsely "I? can do that."

Seven carefully seated her on the steps leading up to the holographic alcove, and sat alongside her. She gently took the Captain's hand in her own, and in doing so, caused Kathryn to look up at Seven's eyes in shock?a move which she instantly regretted. Humiliated, she lowered her own reddened eyes to the floor and waved her hand in a pathetic 'go on' gesture.

Seven shifted to face her Captain, Inhaled slowly, and began.