Birthday surprise

"SURPRISE!!"

Seven blinked in the suddenly bright light of the Mess Hall at the unusual scene. The walls were decorated with strips of coloured paper, and the crew was decorated with strange pointy hats. And they were all watching her with an air of expectation.

"Surprise?" she queried weakly, as her body worked frantically to counteract the adrenaline spike induced when half the ship's complement leapt out at her from the darkness.

"It's your birthday, Seven," the Doctor explained, beaming. "We thought we'd give you a surprise party."

"Your plan was effective. I was surprised," Seven answered, as someone pressed a drink into her hand.

"Well come on in, join in," Paris said encouragingly. "We've been waiting for you so we could eat." He grinned rakishly.

Seven allowed herself to be ushered forward to the middle of the room, where she was met by her captain. After sideways glances at the grinning crew, Kathryn kissed her in welcome. "Happy birthday, Seven," she murmured, as the crew whooped and cheered.

Seven began to conclude that this perplexing event might be more enjoyable than she had expected.

"Let's eat!" Harry exclaimed. "Seven, Neelix was cooking all day for this."

"I appreciate the effort," Seven told the Talaxian.

"Oh, it was my pleasure. And the captain herself programmed your birthday cake."

"You did?" Seven gazed at her lover warmly. "You dislike food preparation."

"I wanted it to be special for you," Kathryn answered, smiling.

"Oh." Seven glanced away for a moment, then back at her, a smile of her own tugging at her lips. "Thank you." She ducked her head and kissed her deeply, efficiently expressing her delight in the gesture.

A couple of metres away, B'Elanna nudged Neelix. "Look, they're at it again," she whispered. He tsked at her.

"It's rude to stare," he chided with a smile. But he followed her gaze regardless. The captain, looking more relaxed than he'd ever seen her, was hand-feeding Seven the hors d'oeuvres. The ex-Borg snapped at them, catching the captain's fingertips in her teeth.

Seven could be playful. Who would have guessed?

After the buffet was demolished, it was time for Seven to open her presents. She was led to the table where they were stacked, and the first was passed to her by Chakotay with an air of ceremony.

"That one's from me!" Naomi exclaimed excitedly.

"Thank you," Seven said gravely, and disassembled the package's wrappings. Naomi was trembling with excitement as Seven withdrew the gift. "A clay model of Voyager," Seven identified, and knelt to hug her young friend. "Thank you, Naomi."

"The next one's from Tom," Chakotay said.

"I'm sure it's appropriate, for the circumstances," the captain said, with a significant glance at Naomi before looking back at the helmsman.

Tom coughed. "It might be better if you open that one later, Seven," he said, as casually as he could. Behind him, Harry started laughing.

Chakotay cleared his throat. "Let's just move on," he said firmly.

When the presents were open and the gift-givers appropriately thanked, it was time to bring out Seven's birthday cake, with lit candles arrayed on top.

"Make a wish!" several crewmembers shouted. Seven shot an enquiring glance at the captain.

"Make a wish before you blow out the candles," Kathryn explained. "Then get them all in one breath or it won't come true."

Seven nodded, thought for a moment, then blew the candles out with one carefully judged breath. She was congratulated with wild cheers and applause. Kathryn handed her a knife along with a congratulatory kiss. "And now you cut it for everyone," she said, smiling.

Some time later, Seven and the captain were comfortably ensconced on one of the comfortable couches the Mess Hall offered, a shifting group of well-wishers surrounding them and ensuring that the captain's champagne glass was replaced as often as necessary.

Kathryn had kept a fairly accurate count of drinks nonetheless, and knew full well she wasn't drunk, just a little more relaxed than normal - enough that she didn't feel at all out of sorts taking the odd moment to nuzzle at Seven's invitingly near shoulder.

Finally she leaned up to speak in Seven's ear.

"Are you tired?" she asked mildly.

Seven turned her head towards her. "No. Why?"

"I was just thinking that perhaps we could go to my quarters, and I could give you my birthday present."

Seven's brow furrowed faintly. "You gave me a present. You gave me a bracelet."

Kathryn kissed her lightly. "I was thinking more of a present for both of us," she explained archly, one eyebrow lifting in emphasis. Seven's eyes widened as she caught her meaning.

"Very well." She rose elegantly and took Kathryn's hand, pulling her to her feet and keeping a light clasp on her hand. Then she raised her voice. "Thank you all for this party. I enjoyed it."

There were sounds of disappointment. "You're leaving already?" Neelix queried.

"She hasn't unwrapped the captain yet," said a voice from the back of the crowd that sounded suspiciously like B'Elanna's.

Amid the good-natured laughter that followed, Kathryn and Seven gathered Seven's presents and departed with as much dignity as Kathryn could muster. They reached Kathryn's quarters and piled them by the door.

"You haven't opened Tom's gift," Kathryn observed.

"Indeed." Seven did so with ready efficiency, then blinked uncertainly at the item she'd unwrapped. "Kathryn…" She left the question unspoken.

"It's…" Kathryn examined it. "Oh. It's...." She blushed, cleared her throat, and explained.

"I see." Seven looked up, with a speculative look in her eye. "Remind me to thank Mr Paris," she said calmly.

Kathryn was left momentarily dizzy by the rush of blood from her brain to points southward. "Ah, yes." She smiled. "Me too, I think," she added, as Seven led her to the bedroom.

- finis -