The Unrequited Loves

Chakotay giggled, and she flashed a wicked smile in his direction.

"Okay, okay, I submit!" he grinned, "but whatever it is, I'm certainly glad of it. With all due respect, Captain, it's about time you had a little fun!"

(It certainly is? )

"Maybe you're right, Commander?"

Smiling, she settled herself comfortably, and looked up at the viewscreen.

"Have I missed anything important?" she asked, knowing the answer already. Chakotay would have contacted her if anything even remotely interesting was going on, and she knew it. The question was merely to keep the conversation going, to keep her mind on the job? and out of the gutter.

(Ok, I'm thinking about? work. I'm thinking about? getting home. I'm not thinking about Seven naked. No. Not at all. See? Mental discipline, that's all it takes. Not naked thoughts.)

"Not unless you class a fight between Tom and B'Elanna as an event," he laughed.

She turned and raised an eyebrow, amusement evident in her expression.

"You mean I've missed out on today's entertainment? What will I do for fun now?"

(What indeed? I imagine I'll have to make my own? Oh Gods, this is no use! I could be thinking about the replicator system and I'd still be seeing images of her with nothing on!)

Chakotay sniggered. He loved these small opportunities he sometimes had to spend a little time in close contact with Kathryn. Where they were simply friends, and not Captain and Commander. She knew, of course, that he loved her. It was something that they had both been aware of for years, but he was also aware that she could never return his feelings in quite the way that he wished she would. For a while, he had believed that this was down to her Captaincy. Chakotay knew better than anyone, except maybe Tuvok, just how dedicated she was to her post, her protocols, her Prime Directive. He had come to loathe the latter in particular, as this, he believed, was the main stumbling block keeping them apart. However, he had adhered to it in the strictest sense. He knew it would make her happy.

 

Then she arrived.

 

It all became so clear, so painfully clear. He could see from the very beginning that she had loved her, and he was nothing more than the brother she never had. Seven did something to her that he couldn't, and it wasn't an easy thing to tolerate. At first, he tried to keep them apart, warning her that the borg drone was untrustworthy. He wished that he could have put it down to just his concerns about the borg alliance, that he was simply looking out for his Captain's best interests, and he supposed that she noted the desperation in his voice too. Unfortunately for him, he concealed his pain no better than Kathryn concealed her love for Seven.

"Chakotay," Kathryn whispered "are you alright?"

"Hmmph?" he glanced up, this time forcing a smile "Oh, just thinking."

"What about?"

"The fact that I'm bored," he lied "you know you're bored when you're thinking about being bored!"

She smiled softly, and he knew that she had seen through him. She wouldn't push further though, he was sure of that. Kathryn had an instinct for knowing what people needed, and right now, he needed alone time. Funny, he thought, how when in unrequited love, a good mood can change to bad in a matter of seconds.

"Take the rest of the morning off, Chakotay. Go to the holodeck, do something to take your mind off it."

"No? it's fine," he smiled, a little easier this time "You go, there's no need for both of us to be here. There's nothing happening, after all."

(Oh, but there is, Chakotay. There's so much happening inside of you, and I know that you can't share it with me. I tried so hard not to encourage you? why do I feel so guilty?)

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Let me know if?"

"?I will." He looked up and grinned with all the strength he could muster.

Her eyes drifted to the floor, and she nodded in understanding. Quietly, she padded towards the turbolift. Upon entering, she waited for the doors to close. She shook her head, hoping to expel any feelings of guilt about the situation with her First Officer. Then the thoughts of Seven returned, and she found herself remembering their first kiss. Their only kiss. Closing her eyes, she lifted a slender hand to her face, tracing the outline of her lips with the very tips of her fingernails. Once again, she was smiling.

"Computer," she waited for the familiar chirp "locate Seven of Nine."

"Astrometrics Officer, Seven of Nine, is in Sickbay."

Kathryn's eyes flew open.

 

 

**************************************

 

"I do not understand this condition," Seven said, sternly "I am unaccustomed to it."

"Well, Seven," The Doctor replied "part of being human is about making mistakes. From what you have told me, which isn't much, I might add, you're merely preoccupied."

"I do not make such simple mistakes. Twice this morning I have pressed the wrong pad on my console. Four times I have forgotten what I was doing altogether. Preoccupied or not, there is something wrong."

"Seven? please, try to understand," he probed, subtly "It would be highly beneficial to you to tell me what's on your mind."

"You? will not repeat anything I tell you?"

"No, of course not," he comforted, "Doctor/patient confidentiality, remember?"

Heartened by this, Seven responded.

"I? I am in love, Doctor. I am unable to think of anything, or anyone else."

The Doctor's face fell. Quickly, he forced his expression into one of impartiality.

"In love? But I remember you telling me once that there were no potential partners for you aboard this ship."

"I was? unaware that it was acceptable to fall in love with an individual of the same gender. You did not inform me of this."

"Oh! I see," he flustered, "well? you see, Seven? given your Borg logic, I never really considered that you would look at women in a romantic manner. I mean, you seemed to consider love as leading to sex, leading to children. Do you understand?"

"I believe I do," she replied, slowly, "I never considered that the Borg Collective could be small-minded. I find the irony? amusing."

"As do I," he smiled, half-heartedly "So? who's the lucky woman? And, more importantly, does she feel the same?"

"I cannot tell you who she is, but she does feel the same way."

"Now, Seven?"

He was interrupted by the sudden whoosh of air from the doors, and a concerned looking Captain rushing in. She quickly crossed the room to where Seven sat on one of the room's biobeds. Placing a hand on Seven's shoulder, she almost burst with relief upon seeing that nothing serious was wrong. Seven glanced at The Doctor, trying to read his reaction. If he had worked it out, he certainly didn't show it.

"Seven, are you alright? I came as soon as I could."

"I am fine, Ka?" she glanced at The Doctor, "?ptain. The Doctor believes I am preoccupied. Doctor, I would appreciate a glass of water, if possible."

"Of course." He replied.

"Oh?" she grinned wickedly, "and, are you?"

"I believe I am," Seven replied, giving her own half-smile in return. "But I am unsure as to the best method to remedy the situation."

The Doctor walked across the room, and handed Seven the glass. She took a long sip, and handed it to Kathryn, who proceeded to drink. The Doctor looked puzzled at this act of intimacy, but chose to let it pass. Upon hearing Seven's complaint, he turned to speak to the Captain.

"Take her to bed." He said, seriously.

 


 

!!!/*/CRASH!/*/!!!

 


Kathryn choked on her mouthful of water, coughing uncontrollably as Seven began patting her firmly on the back. Seven actually began to laugh slightly, a low chuckle that grew in her throat, only just escaping her mouth. Kathryn clutched at her other arm, giggling between gasps for air. Seven made whispered 'sshhh!' noises during Kathryn's laughter, which, of course, served only to make her laugh more.

"I'm (cough) sorry, Doctor (cough)," she rasped, trying to regain her composure, "you were (cough) saying?"

"Have I said something amusing?"

"No, of course not (cough). Please, carry on."

"Gladly. Seven requires rest. Sleep, or regeneration is required. Take her to bed, Captain. I know how stubborn she is, perhaps she will listen to you... I suppose I'll be cleaning up this mess."

Kathryn beamed from ear to ear.

"I'm very sorry about that, Doctor," her cheeks reddened as she spoke, "Well, Seven. It's time for bed. That's an order!"

"Yes, Captain."

"I will see you later. Captain, I believe you are due a check-up. Please return when Seven is comfortable."

"Another time, perhaps." She smiled.

"Very well."

He watched as the two women left the Sickbay, and thought about the conversation he had been having with Seven. In love? This was terrible! If only the Captain hadn't come in, he could've found out who it was. The Captain. Came in? worried. Reacted strangely to his suggestion. His suggestion! His programming! His stupid programming, it was quick to come up with medical suggestions, but double-entendres took a little longer.

(Seven and the Captain?)

Quietly astonished, he stood gaping at the door, as it gasped shut behind them. If he weren't so surprised, he would probably be upset.

(And I can't tell anyone?)