"Regeneration cycle complete," the computer intoned. Seven of Nine stepped down from her alcove. Once again her regenerative period had been filled with vague, but somewhat comforting images. Seven was unable to identify or understand the images in her "dreams" but they left her feeling well rested and somehow fulfilled.

A few purposeful strides and she stood at the computer console linked to her Borg alcove.

"Computer, display results of current Deflector simulation." Seven accessed the terminal as she spoke, studying the readouts as they flashed across the screen.

"Begin daily log, Seven of Nine," she paused briefly to compose her thoughts, "As expected, the Deflector modifications are a success. Having run 36 successful simulations I will present my findings to the Captain at this mornings meeting, I believe she will be pleased. I have allowed 5 hours and 30 minutes in my afternoon schedule to complete the necessary modifications and an additional 30 minutes to hear Lieutenant Torres' complaints regarding the procedure. End daily log."

Seven of Nine turned and left Cargo Bay 2, the large doors clanging shut behind her as she headed towards the bridge, the hint of a smile on her lips.

Captain Janeway sat at the end of the conference table, leaning back a little in her chair. Chakotay was going over the duty log of the last shift, confirming what she already knew... there were asteroids behind them, asteroids ahead of them and more damn asteroids either side of them.

Going thru the field would take them a total of thirteen days, going around would have taken over two months. Thirteen days wasn't long but Janeway knew that scans had revealed the area of space on the other side of the asteroid belt was void of any planetary systems for a further two weeks at warp 4.

Janeway took the opportunity Chakotay's report provided her to study each of her crew members unobserved. To her right, Ensign Paris sat upright, listening intently to his Commander. Next to him, B'Elanna leant casually back in her chair, eyes focused on the computer display Chakotay had called up. At the end of the table, Seven also studied the computer display, her eyes flicking over the changing schematics. Janeway wondered if her Borg enhanced vision allowed her to read the tiny characters that scrolled down the side of the image.

She had the most amazing eyes. Pale blue eyes that Janeway knew could sparkle with humour or mist with grief. Eyes that she had seen burn with both anger and desire, Janeway smiled to herself as she remembered how Seven had looked at her when they had discovered the Omega molecule.

Right now though, those eyes were looking directly at her own. Seven had turned her attention from the report and now met the Captain's gaze unflinchingly. An odd look passed over her normally stoic features and Janeway's pulse immediately increased.

Seven's lips moved slowly as the young woman leant forward slightly, her arms coming to rest on the table.

"Captain. Is everything alright?" she spoke from the end of the table.

Chakotay touched her shoulder, almost causing her to jump at the unexpected contact.

"Captain?" he repeated Seven's query.

Janeway bought her attention back to the meeting and looked around her. Each of her officers was looking at her, their faces a mixture of confusion and concern. "Oh God..." her mind echoed as she pulled herself upright in her chair and spoke abruptly. "I'm fine, Commander, why do you ask?" knowing full well that they had all just caught her daydreaming.

Chakotay was silent for a moment before he took his seat and turned to nod at Tuvok.

"Thank you Commander," Tuvok began as he made his report.

Janeway forced herself to concentrate on her Chief of Security's report and used every ounce of her will to avoid looking at the other end of the conference room table. Ever so slowly, the embarrassed flush left her cheeks. Today just wasn't getting any better.

Having taken her place at the conference table, Seven nodded a greeting to the assembled crew. She was eager to begin, glad of an opportunity to gain the Captain's approval. As the Captain took a seat and motioned for Chakotay to bring everyone up to date, Seven noticed that Janeway looked a little tired this morning.

As expected, gamma rotation had little of interest to report and as she half listened to the Commander, Seven studied the computer display, mentally calculating the additional distance that Voyager would have been able to travel during the previous shift, had her modifications already been made.

Satisfied with the result, she turned in her chair to see the Captain looking directly at her, her head resting against the back of her chair, a slight smile creasing the corners of her mouth.

Captivated by the sight, Seven was unable to look away. The Captain's auburn hair framed the pale skin of her face. Her eyes, partly lidded, seemed to look into the depths of Seven's soul. "She is beautiful," a tiny voice spoke inside her head.

To one side of her, Seven registered the fact the Commander Chakotay had concluded with his report and was asking the Captain if she had anything she wished to add.

Seven refused to break eye contact, amazed at the tingling feeling inside her and knowing that the Captain had caused it, even if she didn't quite understand why.

The Captain seemed to share her opinion, as she too continued to stare at Seven, despite the Commander's repeated attempts to gain her attention. Growing concerned at her Captain's behaviour, Seven leant forward to speak.

"Captain. Is everything alright?" she asked. As the Captain spoke to Chakotay, Seven studied her profile, fascinated by the increase in colour that spread from her neck to her cheeks and the answering warmth of her own skin.

"You can't be serious!" the half-Klingon engineer almost spat in her anger.

"That's enough, Leuitenant!" Captain Janeway spoke forcefully, making it clear she would not condone an argument on the matter. "Seven, have you considered the effect these modifications would have on the warp engines?"

"I have Captain, and I believe that any reduction of efficiency would be irrelevant as we are unable to engage the warp drive while in the asteroid field," she stated plainly.

Seven seemed unconcerned with B'Elanna's objections and although the she wished she would learn to be a little more diplomatic, Janeway had to admit she admired the young woman's determination.

"That's not the point!" Torres refuted, not getting any calmer. "The changes you have suggested won't simply reduce efficiency, they'll make it impossible to jump to warp at all!"

"As I have already stated, the density of the asteroid field makes it impossible for Voyager to travel at warp speeds, therefore, the temporary loss of warp capability is irrelevant. By modifying the deflector array to detect the asteroids and automatically adjust our course and heading to compensate, we can increase our speed by 62%, thereby reducing our time in the asteroid belt during which we are unable to travel at warp." Seven finished with an almost triumphant nod of her head.

Before her already edgy Chief of Engineering could get a word in, the Captain addressed her.

"Leuitenant, I want you to go over Seven's simulations. Unless you encounter any problems, I'd like to make the modifications as soon as possible." Janeway concluded the matter and directed a no-nonsence "I'm the boss" look at her slightly annoyed Klingon officer.

She understood her concerns but she was more than willing to butt a few heads if it meant increasing the snails-pace at which they were currently travelling thru the Delta quadrant. And today, it seemed, butting heads was exactly what she was in the mood for.

As Seven presented her proposal, she could see the Captain was clearly impressed. Almost as impressed as Leuitenant Torres was annoyed. However, the Engineer's arguments against the changes were not unexpected and Seven immediately countered her objections with her own.

Directing her comments to the Captain, Seven put forth her reasoning. Travelling at impulse, relying entirely on human response times to avoid the thousands of asteroids that littered their path was inefficient. Continuing to travel at such low speeds when an alternative was available was unnecessary. A temporary lack of warp capability was irrelevant.

Seven had no doubt the Captain would agree with her.

"I'd like to make the modifications as soon as possible," Seven looked at the Captain as she gave the order to proceed. Seeing the expression on her face made Seven glad that she was not the one to have angered her this time.

After a moment, the Leuitenant dropped her gaze from Captain Janeway's and turned to look at Seven. Her face was a mask of indifference as she reached for the data-padd Seven held and snatched it out of her hand.

Apart from a slight widening of her eyes, Seven's pleasure at the outcome was unnoticeable.

Captain Janeway headed to engineering to check on their progress. Despite B'Elanna's complaints she had found no errors in Seven's simulations and had agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to implement the changes. Janeway was frustrated and a little disappointed by her Head Engineer's inability to work alongside Seven of Nine. She could see that perhaps the former Borg's own attitude didn't help matters but she firmly believed they would make a good team if they would agree to work together instead of against each other.

Janeway rounded the corner of Engineering in time to hear B'Elanna curse and she sighed to herself. She would be glad when today was over.

"A problem, Leuitenant?" she asked in as cheery a voice as she could muster.

"No, Captain." Torres turned one eye towards Seven as if daring her to disagree. "We should have the modified deflectors on-line shortly."

"Good to hear." Janeway stepped closer to the access panel at which Seven was working. Her head and half her upper torso concealed by the bulkhead as she continued with her work. Kneeling down to get a closer look at the relay, Janeway leant against the exposed panel. Feeling a sudden sting on her palm, she jerked backwards as she heard B'Elanna shout from behind her.

"Careful, Captain!" At that, Seven popped her head out of the bulkhead and Kathryn saw the pained expression on her face before she realised the reason for it.

Glancing down at her hand she discovered the cause of the stinging sensation. A large gash split the centre of her palm and her blood was flowing freely onto the deck.

"Captain, you are damaged," Seven spoke a little too loudly for the Captain's ego, attracting the attention of two junior officers.

"I'm fine, Seven. It's just a cut," she insisted, humiliated enough by the fact that she hadn't even looked where she was putting her hand without telling the whole damn ship about it!

B'Elanna stepped forward as if to disagree with her Captain when Seven spoke.

"I shall inform the Doctor." Seven moved to tap her comm badge and the Captain reached out to grab her hand before she could activate it. Lowering Seven's arm to her side, Janeway squeezed her hand slightly.

"I'm fine. I'll just head over to sickbay and have him look at it."

"I will accompany you," she stated emphatically.

Janeway let go of Seven's hand and waved her own in the air in annoyance, the movement causing more blood to spill onto the floor from her cradled palm.

"We've just about finished here," Torres confirmed. Kathryn wasn't sure whether she was concerned for her well-being or simply eager to have Seven out of engineering.

"Very well then." she resigned and allowed Seven to lead her out into the corridor.

The sight of the Captain's blood dripping steadily onto the deck had caused Seven's pulse to race and she was more than relieved when Janeway had allowed her to accompany her to sickbay.

Janeway walked quickly along the corridor, her injured hand cradled in her arm. Seven reached out hesitantly and cupped the injured hand, pressing it against the Captain's own stomach, placing her other arm around her back in order increase the pressure on the wound.

"It is important to minimise blood loss," she informed the Captain in response to the querying look she received. She didn't however pull away from the contact and something stirred in Seven at being allowed to care for her Captain.

The two woman stood quietly as the turbolift descended towards deck 5, Seven's arm still wrapped around the smaller woman. She could feel the stickiness of the Captain's blood between their hands and she was impatient to get to sickbay.

When the turbolift stopped and the doors opened, the Captain didn't immediately resume their march. Concerned, Seven looked to see if there was a problem. Kathryn looked up to meet Seven's gaze, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she spoke softly.

"Thank you, Seven, for assisting me."

At a loss for words, Seven stared for a moment, her stomach turned upside-down by the look of trust on her Captain's face.

"You are welcome, Captain," was the best she could come up with in response as they continued towards sickbay.

The Doctor was suitably nonplussed as he ran the dermal regenerator over the Captains hand and checked for any nerve damage.

"You were lucky, Captain, any deeper and it would have been much more serious." He shook his tricorder to emphasize his point. "As it is, I was able to repair the damage without too much trouble. I would suggest, however, that you watch where you put your hands in the future."

"Thank you, Doctor. If you're finished...?" The Captain didn't wait for a response before stepping down from the bio-bed ready to leave sickbay.

She stopped as she glanced over to where Seven of Nine was talking to the ship's youngest crew-member, Naomi Wildeman, who had been in the middle of her lessons with the Doctor when they had arrived. Seven was crouched down so that she was at eye level with Naomi who was talking excitedly.

Seven reached out and the young girl put something in her hand, too small for the Captain to see although she could tell it was brightly coloured. Seven looked at the contents of her hand a moment before speaking to Naomi once more. Evidently whatever she said pleased the Borg, because she reached out and gave Naomi a quick hug before standing up and smoothing her uniform.

As she turned to face the Captain, Kathryn quickly concealed her smile by rubbing her face before asking Seven if she would mind walking her back to her quarters.

Naomi had dragged Seven away from the Captain's side after the Doctor had complained about not being given enough room to work.

"I have something to show you, Seven," Naomi insisted as she disappeared briefly into the Doctors office. When she returned she had her hands hidden behind her back.

"I made you something." she whispered as if divulging a secret. Seven knelt down to see what she had. "Close your eyes." Naomi insisted.

"Why?" Seven enquired a little confused by the request.

"Because I have a surprise for you!" the girl explained as if it should have been obvious.

"I fail to see why.." Seven started only to be interrupted.

"Seven! Just close your eyes." Not wanting to ruin her young friends surprise, Seven did as she was told.

"I will comply." she said as she closed her eyes tightly.

"Now hold out you're hand."

Seven extended her hand, palm up and waited for the surprise, only a little nervous about what it might be. She felt something cool against her skin and closed her hand slightly so as not to drop it.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Naomi spoke excitedly. Seven opened her eyes and looked down at the colourful object she now held, unsure of how to proceed.

"Thank you, Naomi Wildeman." Seven paused for only an instant before asking, "What is it?"

"It's a hair clip. I thought it would look pretty on you. I'm sure the Captain would think so," Naomi nodded over her shoulder and Seven realised that the Captain must have finished with the Doctor. She took another look at the hair clip and although she wasn't sure entirely sure herself, she did think that maybe the Captain would like it in her hair.

Seven smiled at Naomi and the young girl stepped forward as the former Borg opened her arms for a hug and whispered a thank you in her ear before returning her attention to the Captain.

As the doors to the Captain's quarters slid shut behind them, Kathryn sighed and walked wearily towards the couch.

"Have you ever had one of those days, Seven?" she asked as she plopped herself down on the cushions.

"One of those days, Captain?" not quite understanding the question.

"Never mind," she replied, too tired to bother trying to explain.

"May I replicate you a coffee, Captain?" Seven asked, hoping to replace the expression on the Captain's face with something a little closer to a smile.

"Don't even bother, I think it's malfunctioning."

Seven strode towards the replicator determined to discover the problem. After a few minutes of tinkering, she had the computer replicate what she hoped would be an acceptable beverage. Carrying the mug over to her Captain she hesitated briefly before lowering herself to sit beside her.

"Captain?" she spoke softly, no wanting to disturb the older woman as she lay with her head back against the couch, her eyes closed.

"Call me Kathryn," she asked just as softly without opening her eyes.

"Kathryn," Seven tasted the name on her lips, strangely affected by the sight of this woman, Kathryn, her Captain, as she lay relaxed on the couch. Seven could see the steady throb of the pulse-point at her throat and fought the impulse to reach out and touch the smooth skin.

Feeling the cushions still as Seven settled on the couch next to her, Kathryn rolled her head towards her and slowly opened her eyes. Her breath caught in her lungs as she focused on the face so close to her own.

"Your coffee," Seven broke the silence but refused to lose eye contact as she pressed the mug into the Captain's small hands. Both woman felt the shock of contact as their hands touched. Kathryn felt her rate of respiration increase. Seven stopped breathing altogether.

"Seven?" Kathryn lifted her head, wanting to see the young woman more clearly, to judge her reactions. She wanted desperately to touch her, to kiss her, but she was terrified of how Seven would react.

Kathryn knew what she was considering was a mistake. She could list a hundred reasons why it was inappropriate for the Captain to be come involved with a member of her crew, but.... Right now, her body wasn't listening to a single one of them.

Kathryn placed the mug of coffee on the table, and took both of Seven's hands in hers. The gentle pressure caused bolts of energy to shoot up Seven's arms. Her stomach fluttered and she became acutely aware of every centimetre of skin that Kathryn touched. Her knee which rested against a warm thigh, her hands and wrists and arms as soft hands worked their way along the suit covered length.

Seven suddenly remembered to breath, almost choking in her bodies subconscious fight for air. Kathryn halted in her explorations, jerking her hands away. Horrified by what she was about to do she moved away, pressing her back against the edge of the couch. Seven suddenly felt cold and empty without the contact and she moved forward to close the distance between them.

"I'm sorry, Seven. That was inappropriate of me." Janeway took a deep breath, unable to look directly at Seven. "Perhaps you should leave." She finished, desperately wishing that she could just crawl into bed and forget that today ever happened.

Seven was unsure how to proceed. Her body was sending so many confusing signals to her brain she couldn't concentrate. The only thing she knew for sure, was that she did not want to leave.

Allowing her instincts to take control, Seven reached out and gently touched the Captain's cheek, brushing a lock of hair away from her face to reveal her eyes.

"Perhaps you should kiss me." Seven's whisper was barely audible and for a moment Kathryn wasn't sure she had heard correctly. "I am unsure how to proceed, Captain," Seven admitted.

"Call me Kathryn," she said again as she turned and took the former drones head between her hands. The two woman moved towards each other, their eyes closing as their lips met. Hesitantly at first, both afraid of demanding too much from the other. They separated slightly, lips barely touching until Seven reached out and wrapped her hands around Kathryn's neck, bringing her closer.

A soft groan escaped Kathryn's throat as Seven deepened the kiss, parting her lips and allowing Kathryn's tongue access. For a long moment, they explored each other with their tongues and their hands. Gradually they slowed, each stealing small kisses from the other until they both laughed softly at their own nervousness. Kathryn reached out and bought Seven into her arms, the young woman leaning back against her, half laying across the couch.

Kathryn ran her hand thru the blonde hair that fell across across her chest, noticing for the first time the colourful object fastened on one side.

"What's this?" she asked quietly, not wishing to disturb the peacefulness.

"It is a hair clip. Naomi Wildeman suggested that it would make my hair look pretty," Seven admitted, a little embarrassed.

"Hmmmm...." Kathryn leant down and nuzzled the side of her head, "I'm not sure the clip has anything to do with it, but I think you're beautiful."

Seven turned her body so that she was laying sideways and draped her arm over Kathryn's stomach.

"I, too, think that you are beautiful," she looked directly into the eyes of the women who had stolen her heart as she spoke before angling her face so that her lips brushed against Kathryn's.

"You know," Kathryn began, "I think today had been the best day I've had in a long, long time," she said with a smile.

"For me as well," Seven smiled broadly unable to break away from the deep green depths. She knew that despite her claims to the contrary, Kathryn's day had not been a pleasant one and Seven took it upon herself to make it better.

"I love you Kathryn, for better or worse," she continued.

"For better or worse," Kathryn repeated as she claimed the soft lips once more.