Wish

'I do not comprehend the appeal of this activity.' Seven of Nine remarked as the Doctor led her through the narrow isles between tables.

'Look on it as a lesson in social interaction.' The Doctor paused and looked around as he realized that Seven was no longer with him.

The tall woman had stopped several feet away at a table covered in, to the EMH's eyes at least, junk. He cleared his throat as he approached, but Seven didn't take her attention from the small item. 'This object is made of an unknown metal.'

'And that isn't enough reason buy it.'

'On the contrary.' Seven turned the cube over in her hands, studying the intricate details. 'It has a distinctiveness that could be considered appealing.'

'If you like Borg cubes,' the Doctor harrumphed.

Seven ignored him and asked the waiting merchant how much the cube was. He quoted a price and she handed over the sum much to the Doctor's horror. Seven ignored his sputtering and turned back for the shuttlecraft.

'You're supposed to haggle with him, Seven.'

A pale brow arched narrowly. 'For what purpose? Their currency is easily duplicated. 'Haggling' is an unnecessary process.'

The Doctor threw up his hands and went to join the other members of the away team, leaving Seven alone in her appreciation of the cube's uniqueness.

~

Back on board the ship, Seven placed the small metal cube on her workstation in the cargo bay and began to organize the data that had been collected by the away team. Periodically the dull sheen of metal would draw her eye and after a moment she paused and picked up the cube. Seven traced the lines of the engraving, following their pattern until she had encircled the box. A nearly inaudible click made the implant over Seven's eye rise and the crack that appeared sent it higher. Wisps of pale smoke began to escape and Seven set the cube down on her workstation and stepped back. 'Computer, initiate level 5 force field around my console.'

The field shimmered into place and Seven trained her tricorder of the rapidly thickening cloud. She glanced at the readings and then at the cloud. 'Interesting.' Leaving the machine recording, Seven stepped closer to the field and tried to see the cube through the haze. The cloud began to take form and Seven found herself face to face with a human female.

Wish saw the woman standing before her and bowed solemnly. 'You have summoned me. How may I serve you Mistress?'

Seven picked up the tricorder again and a faint look of irritation passed over her features. She quickly ran a diagnostic on the device only to find that it was functioning normally.

'Um, excuse me?'

Seven watched the woman walk easily through the force field and tapped the comm badge on her chest. 'Security to Cargo bay 2. Intruder alert.'

The woman looked around and then smiled. 'You mean me? I'm not an intruder, Mistress Seven. You summoned me.'

'I did not.'

'You opened the puzzle box and freed me. Now I serve you.' She seemed rather pleased by the prospect.

Seven heard the cargo bay doors swish open and turned to see a security team headed by Tuvok enter. 'Lt. Tuvok.'

He sent his men to search the cargo bay with a single motion of his hand and approached Seven. 'Where is the intruder?'

Seven blinked and looked at the woman. 'She is there.'

Tuvok surveyed the area and turned back to her. 'I see no one. Computer, number of lifesigns in cargo bay 2.'

Five lifesigns present in Cargo bay 2. Three human. One Vulcan. One Borg enhanced human.

Seven frowned and started for her workstation, only to run into the forcefield she had erected earlier. She bit out, 'Computer, drop forcefield around the workstation.' The shield dropped and Seven ran several scans of the bay. She recalibrated the sensors and scanned again and again, but there was nothing. Seven focused on the alien. 'Who are you? Why are you not detectable to our scanners?'

'That's the first intelligent thing you said. I am not visible by them because I do not serve them. I serve you.' She spread her arms wide and smiled. 'I am your servant. You may call me Wish.'

'Wish? What are you?'

Wish shrugged and spun in a circle. 'I'm? you know, I'm not sure I know what I am. What are you?'

'I am Borg.'

Clapping twice as if to punctuate her words, the alien laughed. 'Then I am Borg also.'

Seven's reply was almost sarcastic. 'I do not think so.'

Tuvok cleared his throat and Seven recalled why he was there. 'She claims that only I can see her.'

'Indeed. Then as you are the only one who can see her, perhaps we should continue this conversation in sickbay. Perhaps the Doctor will be able to help.'

Seven agreed and spoke to Wish, not realizing how strange she appeared. 'Will you go with us to sickbay?'

Wish nodded and bowed. 'Of course Mistress. I go where you command.' They left the bay and Wish saw the looks exchanged between the security officers as they escorted Seven of Nine to the sickbay. 'You do realize that they think you're hallucinating.'

Seven refrained from replying and watched Tuvok dismiss the security team before joining her in the turbolift. They rode in silence and Seven found herself afraid to ask what Tuvok thought of the situation.

In sickbay the doctor ran a multitude of tests on both Seven and the 'alien'. Janeway had arrived sometime ago and she watched the proceedings with concerned eyes.

Wish amused herself by talking to Seven. 'So what year is it?'

Seven rattled off a star date and Wish's eyes crossed. 'Ugh. Never mind. Obviously I've been out of it for quite some time. So what do you do on this ship for fun?'

'Fun is irrelevant.' Janeway's concern grew with each cryptic comment that Seven muttered and she spoke quietly to the doctor.

'Well?'

The doctor shook his head. 'There's nothing wrong with her, Captain. She's in perfect health.'

'Are you picking up anything on the scanners?'

'I'm afraid not.'

'Then what's going on?' Janeway saw that Seven had stopped talking to Wish and was watching them. She stepped forward and took Seven's hand. 'Seven. Where does Wish come from?'

Wish laughed lightly. 'I came from a box.'

Seven frowned and the captain patted her hand. 'It's all right. Has she told you anything about why she's here?'

'She says that she is here to serve me. That I am now her mistress.' Seven glared in Wish's direction. 'I do not require a servant.'

'Too bad. You have one. For life.'

'For life? Explain.'

'I am to serve you until you die.'

The captain nodded towards the doctor's office and the hologram followed. Once inside Janeway spoke quietly. 'So now what?'

The doctor watched Seven speaking to the empty room and shook his head. 'Physically she's fine, Captain. Mentally? This could indicate an emotional instability.' The Doctor turned back to the Captain. 'It could also be a projection from her childhood. A memory of an imaginary friend that has surfaced and her subconscious has latched onto.'

'But why?'

'Well, frankly speaking Captain, Seven doesn't have many friends aboard Voyager. With the exception of myself, you and Naomi Wildman, she's alone.'

Recognizing the truth in this, Janeway sighed. 'I see your point, but is this dangerous? Is she capable of carrying out her duties?'

The hologram shrugged. 'Were it anyone else I'd have to say no, but Seven? I think we should let this play out. In all probability Seven will let go of Wish when she feels more secure.'

Not happy with the vagueness of his diagnoses, Janeway reluctantly agreed. 'But I want you to monitor her condition Doctor. Notify me immediately of any changes.'

~

The command staff took the news of Seven's new shadow with remarkable calm and Seven once again felt as if she were being humored. She glared at Wish as the woman circled the room, studying the other members.

She remained quite until she got to Lt. Torres. Wish halted in her tracks as the chief engineer gave her weekly report on the ships systems and stared at the vision before her. 'She's beautiful.' Torres took no notice of the sudden attention and Seven wondered how the volatile half Klingon would react if she knew she was being ogled.

~

Seven stepped out of the alcove and glanced around. She saw no sign of her shadow and she wondered briefly if the being had finally given up and left her in peace. Almost as soon as the thought formed, Wish appeared and grinned at her faintly. 'Give up? Me? Never!' She tossed her hair back and waved a hand at the Borg machinery behind Seven. 'Sleep well?'

The implant over Seven's left eye swept upward as she brushed past Wish and logged in the beginning of her duty shift. 'I have explained this to you before. I was not sleep-'

Wish groaned loudly, interrupting her. 'You were regenerating. I know, I know.'

'Then why did you ask such an inefficient question?'

Wish laughed and shook her head as she peered over Seven's console. 'Just to bug you.'

Seven stopped what she was doing and focused on her. She observed the slight rise in color along Wish's cheeks and the unusual sparkle in her eyes. The dark green tunic she wore was wrinkled and the loose black pants had dusty knees. Seven saw the scuffmarks on the toes of Wish's black boots and remarked calmly, 'You have been in Engineering again.'

Wish's laughter was joyous and Seven felt something inside her smile at the sound. She ignored it and returned to her task. 'Yes, I was. B'Elanna was doing something in the Jeffrey's tubes.' Her smile turned wicked. 'It was a rather tight fit.'

Seven frowned at Wish and realized that this was getting out of hand. 'It is inappropriate for you to accost Lt. Torres.'

Wish rolled her eyes. 'I wasn't accosting her, I was just? watching her.'

'You watch her too much.' Seven hesitated and then spoke quickly before she could change her mind. 'You will leave B'Elanna alone. It is my command.'

Wish had straightened and was staring over Seven's shoulder, her expression vastly amused.

'I'm glad to hear it.' B'Elanna's voice was sarcastic and Seven turned to meet her dark gaze. 'Now that you've protected me from your invisible friend, would you care to study these charts that the captain acquired?'

'Of course.' She took the padd from the half Klingon and reminded herself of the futility in trying to convince her that Wish was real. Seven watched her stride out of the cargo bay and turned back to Wish. 'You did that deliberately.' It was not a question.

Wish shrugged. 'Sorry. I can't help it. It's the nature of my people. We're mischievous.'

You are irritating, Seven thought silently.

'Come on, Mistress! Surely you do something for recreation?'

Seven ignored her pleading. 'I study. Periodically I play Velocity with Captain Janeway.'

Wish smiled slyly. 'I see. What else do you do with the Captain?'

The tone in her voice was suggestive and blatant enough for even Seven to detect. 'We occasionally visit the Captain's da Vinci program.'

'Program? How can you visit a program?'

'A hologramatic simulation.'

'Like the doctor?'

'Yes.'

'Sounds great! Let's go.'

'I am working.'

'Ah, but you're not supposed to be. You're off duty now. That means recreation, which the Doctor said you needed more of.'

'I do not wish? I do not require recreation at this time.'

Wish leaned over the console. 'If you come play with me I'll tell you more about my people.'

Seven considered this for a moment and then nodded. 'Very well.'

~

The holodeck pleased Wish to no end and Seven relayed the alien's commands to the computer. The room shifted and Seven found herself standing in the middle of a field, a brilliant blue sky overhead.

Wish looked around and nodded. 'A good start. Make the sky more purple.'

Seven did and the sky deepened.

'The grasses on my planet are red.'

'Add a mountain range in the distance. Shaded dark purple. Then a forest in front of us. The trees should vary in color: Blue, green, yellow, red, purple and silver.'

That made Seven's eyepiece climb, but she did as instructed. The result was colorful to say the least. 'This is your planet?'

Wish nodded and held her hands out in front of her. A glowing ball of energy filled her hands and then dissipated, leaving a flower behind. It was blood red, with a deep blue center and vaguely resembled a chrysanthemum. The black leaves and stem were covered in small yellow thorns. She held the flower carefully and smiled at Seven. 'It's a field bloom. They grow in small bushes.'

Seven programmed the addition and the field became filled with the flowers. Wish laughed and began walking towards the forest. 'Come on Seven! I'll race you to the end of the forest.'

'To what purpose?'

Wish laughed again and shrugged. 'Why to see who's fastest of course! Unless you don't think you can beat me.' Wish gave Seven's outfit a once over and shook her head. 'Never mind. You'd kill yourself in those shoes.'

Seven ordered a pair of running shoes and Wish decided it was time to address her wardrobe. 'Why don't you change your clothes while you're at it?'

'My biosuit is suf-.'

Wish cut her off. 'It's ugly.'

Nonplused, Seven looked down at herself and then at Wish. 'Ugly? I have heard no-.'

'Complaints from the crew? I bet. May I make a few suggestions?'

Unsure now, she let Wish help her pick out a more comfortable outfit. A few minutes later found Seven staring at her reflection in full length mirror that now stood in the field. She fastened the sleeve of the royal blue shirt and smoothed her hand down the loose fitting black pants that tucked into knee high boots. 'This is? acceptable.'

Before she could protest, Wish reached out and freed her hair so that it tumbled around her face. 'Much better. Now you look like a member of the crew.'

'I do not understand.'

They began walking across the field and Wish handed her the flower that she had conjured. 'You want so much to fit in with this crew, with these people, but you let yourself be dressed in a manner that separates you from them. I'm not saying that different is bad, but that other outfit? that's a piece of work. How did you come up with it?'

'I did not. The Doctor designed my biosuit.'

Wish rolled her eyes. 'That explains a lot. Still, I'm surprised that the Captain hasn't done anything about it.'

'My appearance is irrelevant.'

Wish stopped and turned to Seven. Suddenly the alien was dressed in a biosuit like Seven's, her hair pulled back in the severe manner that Seven favored.

In that instant, Seven realized what Wish was trying to say. She knew that Wish's personality was playful and enthusiastic. That she was intelligent and had a mischievous sense of humor. But looking at her now, Seven saw only a remote, unreachable individual. 'I see.'

Wish changed back and patted Seven on the shoulder. 'You know what kind of person you are. The Captain knows because she's very observant, but the rest? They only know what they see and what you allow them to see.'

'Appearance is relevant.'

'To some degree, yes. Because you don't know how to interact the way the rest of the crew does, you don't go out of your way to engage them. The only thing they have left to key in on is your appearance.'

They entered the forest and Seven stopped. She ventured a smile. 'I believe you challenged me to race?' She took off running and Wish scrambled after her.

~

Captain Janeway looked around the empty cargo bay.

She saw the padd of star charts lying on Seven's console and realized that she had not gone over them yet. 'Janeway to Seven of Nine.' No response. 'Computer, locate Seven of Nine.'

Seven of Nine is in holodeck 2.

Wondering what Seven considered to be more important, Janeway headed for the holodeck.

The door was not privacy secured and Janeway stepped into the brilliant world that now lay beyond the arch. She saw the mirror a few yards away and headed for it. The discarded biosuit lay beside it and the captain picked it up, seeing the comm badge still in place. She studied the area and saw the trail of crimson grass that had been pushed aside. Janeway followed the path and entered the forest.

Seven watched the water swirl below her and glanced at Wish who was seated next to her. 'I do not understand this activity.'

'What's to understand? The suns are warm the air is fresh and the sound of the water is soothing.' Wish lay back on the grass of the bank, plucked a strand and began chewing on the end.

Seven followed suit and Wish laughed. 'Don't swallow the grass, just chew on it.'

'It is sweet.' Which was strange because she had not programmed that element when she had added the grass.

'Yes. What do you want to do with your life, Seven?'

Janeway stepped from the edge of the wood and saw Seven sitting at the edge of a small stream. She paused in surprise, taking in the change of appearance and approving. Seven spoke and she stiffened.

'I do not understand. I am a member of this crew-.'

Wish waved her answer away. 'Yeah, yeah. I know that part, but what do you want to do? You won't be on this ship forever. What will you do when you get to Earth?'

'I do not know if the choice will be mine.'

'You think Starfleet won't let you go.'

'I am Borg. I possess the knowledge of thousands of species.' She held up her left hand and watched the light flare off of the metal. 'To Starfleet, I may not be considered human.'

'Then why are you in such a hurry to get back?'

Seven tucked her hair back behind her ear and pulled her knees up to her chest. 'The captain wants to go home.'

Wish watched the captain watching Seven. 'You want to please her?'

'Yes. She freed me from the collective. She is trying to help me become more human. The captain?'

'You're in love with her.'

Seven shook her head quickly. 'My feelings are irrelevant. She is the Captain.'

'So what?'

'I am not? human enough for the Captain. But I will be. I will adapt. I will learn to be more.'

'And then what? Will you tell her?'

Seven picked another strand of grass and began folding it into segments. 'I am? afraid.' Her brow crinkled in self-disgust at the revelation.

'Of what?' Wish saw the understanding dawn on the captain's face and grinned.

Seven's sigh was melancholy. 'That she will not love me as I love her.'

Kathryn Janeway felt her heart lurch unsteadily as she heard the young woman's declaration. Unbidden, a smile touched her lips as she considered this knew information. Seven had been trying to become more human for her while she had been waiting for Seven to regain enough of her humanity to accept the love that Kathryn felt for her. Obviously they were both waiting for what had already happened. She debated with herself briefly and then cleared her throat.

Seven whirled and met the captain's eyes with stunned surprise. 'Ca- Captain?'

Captain Kathryn Janeway knelt beside Seven of Nine, a.k.a. Annika Hansen and smiled as she brushed a strand of hair away from her face. 'Kathryn.' She saw what she had been ignoring in Seven's eyes and laughed a little. 'You don't have to become more, Annika. You're already everything I want.'

~

Heads turned as Seven entered the mess hall and she resisted the urge to turn around and leave again. Seven had not changed back into a biosuit when she had left the holodeck. Instead she had kept her new clothes, pinning her comm badge to the front of her shirt as she and the captain walked to lunch together. They seated themselves and Neelix hurried over, a huge smile on the Talaxian's face. 'Good afternoon, ladies. 'May I say Seven that you are looking wonderful today. Blue is definitely your color. Captain, what would you like today?'

They ordered and Seven shifted uneasily under the many looks she was receiving. 'I believe Wish was incorrect.'

'In what way?'

'She informed me that my biosuit was 'giving the wrong impression' and that I should attempt to dress more like the crew would to help me adapt.'

Janeway laughed and reached out to cover Seven's hand with her own. She squeezed lightly, feeling the metal bands press into her palm. 'You look beautiful, Seven. They're just used to seeing you differently.'

'Then I should change back?'

'No!' No way was she going to let Seven wear those awful suits again. 'I love you just like this.'

Seven froze and stared at the captain, afraid that her auditory implant had malfunctioned. 'You? love me?'

Realizing what she had inadvertently let slip; Kathryn had a decision to make. While this was not the place she would have chosen, she drew a breath and answered. 'Yes, Seven. I do. I have for a long time now.'

~

The larger ship outclassed Voyager in both weapons and speed and Janeway was fast running out of options. She called for evasive maneuvers and set a course for a nebula several light years away. The enemy vessel gave pursuit of course and she knew that they'd never make it. 'Suggestions?'

Seven held on to her console as the deck shifted alarmingly and glanced at Wish. 'I do not suppose you could do anything?'

Janeway frowned as she realized who Seven was talking to and turned back to Chakotay and Tuvok. 'Photon torpedoes. Full spread, maximum yield. Maybe we can slow them down.'

Wish watched the other ship on the screen and shrugged. 'Sure. You want them just stopped or dead?'

Seven watched as the torpedoes detonated harmlessly against the enemy ship. 'Stopped and unable to fire.'

Wish smiled and nodded. She closed her eyes and a faint glow surrounded her. The other ship seemed to freeze and Voyager quickly left them behind.

The bridge crew stared at the motionless vessel becoming increasingly smaller and Janeway stared at Seven. 'Seven?'

Seven smiled slightly. 'Yes Captain?'

'What happened?'

Tuvok spoke quietly. 'The Dumrkian vessel has apparently become separated from its engines.'

'Explain.'

'Scanners are detecting two warp engines orbiting the small moon we are approaching. They were not there a moment ago. I am also detecting several smaller pieces of equipment that appear to be weapon systems.'

Wish blew on her nails and buffed them on her shirt. 'It's a gift.'

Janeway never took her eyes off of Seven. 'Well?'

Seven gestured slightly to the still invisible form of Wish. 'My 'imaginary friend'.'

Captain Janeway smiled faintly and shook her head. 'The next time you say that you see something we can't I promise I'll believe you. Is ? Wish?. still here?'

Seven realized that the captain really did believe her and smiled with relief. 'She is always near when I am not regenerating.'

'Where is she when you are regenerating?'

The concern in her voice was evident and Wish laughed. 'Now she's worried.'

Seven shot her a quelling look. 'She wanders the ship, but mostly she follows B'Elanna Torres.'

'What?' B'Elanna's furious growl made Wish jump and Seven smiled.

Kathryn blinked at the sudden change in Seven' normally severe features. She should do that more often. B'Elanna was demanding an explanation and she forced herself back to the matter at hand. 'What do you mean, Seven?'

Seven didn't look at them when she replied, but kept her eyes pinned on Wish. 'She has a 'crush' on Lt. Torres. She spends her time watching her.'

B'Elanna looked ready to kill something and Wish was glaring at Seven. 'Why did you have to tell her that?'

'Consider it payback for the many times you have provoked me deliberately in front of the crew, knowing that they would think that I was insane.'

Wish groaned. 'I think you're learning some rather bad human habits.'

~

B'Elanna laid her padd aside and searched her quarters. She could see no one, but she now knew that it was not what she could see that she should worry about, but that which she couldn't. 'You're here, aren't you?'

Wish sat on the edge of the couch near B'Elanna and admired the strong features of this hybrid that had so utterly captivated her. 'I'm here, but I'm afraid that you can't hear or see me. I wish that it could be different.' She reached out and brushed B'Elanna's cheek, making the engineer jump. B'Elanna flew off the couch and found herself clutching her batlef, her back to the wall.

Wish sighed, reached out to snag the weapon and tossed it aside. 'There's no need for hostility.'

B'Elanna watched the weapon sail across the room and reached for her comm badge only to find it gone. She addressed the ship's computer. 'Torres to Seven of Nine.' No answer. 'Torres to security. Intruder alert!' Again there was no reply. The padd lifted into the air and hovered in front of B'Elanna. Words scrolled across the surface.

I am not going to harm you. I am sorry if I've frightened you. That was not my intention. I only wanted to be near you.

B'Elanna shook her head, her fists clenched at her sides. 'If you don't want to hurt me then why have you cut me off from the rest of the ship?'

I wanted the chance to talk to you. If you call the others then they will awaken Seven and I would have to return to her side.

'What do you want?'

There was a pause and then the words appeared quickly.

To know you.

'Know me? What do you mean?'

A soft touch traced the curve of B'Elanna's jaw and she froze.

You fascinate me. Never have I met one with such fire.

The fingers slid across her lips and she pulled away. 'Stop it!' B'Elanna spun around and headed for the door. Something gripped her arm and she struck out blindly, her fist meeting nothing but air. 'Leave me alone!'

The padd rose to her once again and B'Elanna refused to look at it. 'No! Go away.' The padd fell to the floor and the door to her quarters slid open and shut again. B'Elanna kicked the device and sent it flying across the room. 'Damn it!'

~

Seven watched Wish pace the bridge restlessly and knew that something had happened while she was regenerating. She spoke quietly as Wish moved past her. 'Something has upset you.'

Captain Janeway heard the low comment as did the rest of the bridge crew, but realized that Seven was not addressing any of them. The strangeness' of the situation was not lost on any of them, but they pretended to ignore the one-sided exchange.

Wish shrugged. 'I'm not upset, just bored.'

'That is not true. You are troubled.' Seven wondered why she was concerned by this, but decided to study that later. Right now, there was something making her feel wary. 'What has happened?'

The turbo lift doors opened and Lt. Torres stormed onto the bridge. She faced Captain Janeway and tried to curb her anger. 'Captain, I need to speak to you and Seven, in private.'

Recognizing the barely veiled fury in her chief engineer's eyes, Captain Janeway nodded and rose. 'All right. Seven, in my ready room. Chakotay, you have the bridge.'

The doors slid closed behind them and B'Elanna immediately turned on Seven. 'You keep your shadow out of my quarters!'

Janeway seated herself behind her desk and held up a hand. 'B'Elanna! Calm down and explain.'

'She was in my quarters, Captain! She took my comm badge and blocked my access to the ship's computer. She wouldn't let me leave!'

Janeway looked at Seven. 'Is this true?'

Seven was staring at the corner where, presumably, Wish was standing. 'I told you to leave Lt. Torres alone.'

Wish shrugged, but her expression was sad. 'I just wanted to talk to her.'

The gray implant soared. 'How is that possible? The others cannot hear you.'

Wish walked over to the captain's desk and lifted one of the padds. Janeway flinched as the padd rose into the air in front of her and glanced at Seven. 'Why didn't she do that in the first place? We would have believed you a lot sooner.'

Seven glared at Wish. 'I believe that I was the victim of Wish's practical joke.'

Wish had to laugh at Seven's outrage. 'Sorry, but I couldn't resist.'

Not bothering to reply, Seven looked at Janeway. 'I am unsure of how to proceed.'

Janeway nodded and looked at the hovering padd. 'I think she should respect the privacy of the crew and their quarters. Is there anyway to restrict her movements within the ship?'

'Not really. I can go wherever I want just by thinking about it.' Wish knew that they would not be happy to hear that, but she was unable to blatantly lie to Seven. However, she wasn't required to volunteer information either.

Seven relayed her response to the captain. Janeway leaned back in her chair and sighed. 'Seven, how much control do you have over Wish?'

Wish tensed, knowing what was coming. When Seven turned to her and asked her point blank how much control she had, Wish was compelled to answer. 'I must obey your direct commands save those that would cause your life to cease. I must do everything in my power to ensure that you live your life in relative comfort and that when you do die that it be only because you have come to the end of your time.' Wish crossed her arms over her chest. 'I must fulfill your desires to the best of my abilities.'

Seven held up a hand to halt their questions and focused on Wish. 'If you must obey my commands then listen to these: You will stay away from B'Elanna Torres. You will not endanger this ship or its crew in any way, no matter what the circumstances. Do you understand?'

Wish's voice was faint. 'I understand.' She set the padd back on the desk and stepped behind Seven, assuming a position of subservience.

Seven ignored her and looked at B'Elanna. 'She will not trouble you again. If she does, do not hesitate to inform me and I will confine her to her cube.' She waited for Janeway's confirming nod and then spun around and left the ready room.

B'Elanna glanced at Janeway. 'I think things are going to get a little strange around here.'

Janeway laughed harshly. She had an ex-Borg as her astrometrics officer whom she was in love with and who had an invisible alien guarding her. An alien that was apparently infatuated with her chief engineer. Going to? Things passed strange weeks ago. We're into completely bizarre now. 'Dismissed.'

B'Elanna left and didn't look at Seven as she left the bridge.

Wish watched her go and wondered how she had managed to bungle things so badly.

~

My kind was highly evolved, but we had a deadly weakness: vanity. We assumed that because of our superior intellect and powers, we were able to guide the lesser races around us. In our arrogance, we tampered with an evolving race that would have been the heralds of peace had they been left alone. But we interfered and set them upon a course of destruction that eventually caused their extinction. This brought us to the attention of a race so powerful that they made us seem like toddlers. The Continuum passed judgment upon my people for what they had done and sentenced us to eternity in the servitude of others. We were bound to objects that would find their way into the hands of those that needed us and it would be our task to make them as prosperous and happy as possible, no matter how.

I have served over a thousand masters and never in that time have I come across anyone so valiant as you. I humbly beg your forgiveness for intruding upon you and I hope that you will not remain angry with my mistress. She had no more choice in this matter than I did and it was my actions that angered you, not hers.

I allowed emotion to cloud my mind and I acted without thinking. I will not intrude upon you again.

Wish.

B'Elanna reread the message that had appeared on her padd this morning and wondered why she suddenly felt as if she had lost something. 'Damn.'

She stepped off of the turbo lift into main engineering and stopped as she saw Seven at her console. She looked around and immediately chided herself. It's not like you can see her. 'Seven? What are you doing at my station?'

Seven continued to check the readings and spoke without looking up. 'There is a fluctuation within the main power grid. I am attempting to discover the cause.'

B'Elanna joined her and resisted the urge to shove the Borg away from her console. She saw the obvious deviance in the signal and fixed her furious gaze on the hapless ensign who had been in command. 'Why wasn't I notified of this immediately?'

The young man stammered out that he had been about to when Seven had appeared and taken over. Torres' glare made him cringe. 'I'm the chief engineer, not Seven of Nine. You have a reading this bad you report it to me, even if you fix the problem yourself, understand?' The ensign nodded quickly and scurried away the instant B'Elanna released him from her gaze. She turned on Seven. 'Why didn't you notify me?'

Seven paused and looked at her for the first time. ' I did not want to disturb you over such a minor matter.'

'Obviously not that minor if you spotted it from astrometrics.' B'Elanna grabbed a scanner and approached the main plasma conduit. She had just loosened the cover when a shrill beeping filled the air and the computer informed them in a melodious voice that there was an eminent power surge. B'Elanna glanced down as the panel blew outward, catching her in the chest and hurling her across engineering. She crashed into the wall as a force field activated automatically to contain the escaping plasma.

Seven was at her side in an instant, carefully rolling the Klingon over. She tapped her comm badge. 'Emergency transport to Sickbay.'

Transporters are offline.

Wish gasped as she saw how much damage had been done. B'Elanna's face had caught the worst of the venting plasma and the burns were severe. She reached out and then cursed as she realized that she could not get near enough to help. Wish spoke quickly. 'I can heal her if you release me from your command.'

Seven needed no further urging. 'You are free from the order to stay away from Lt. Torres.'

Wish carefully placed her hands against the burns as B'Elanna groaned and shifted. 'Tell her to hold still.'

Seven placed her hand on B'Elanna's shoulder. 'You must lay still, Lieutenant.'

B'Elanna felt the light touch against her face and knew that Wish was touching her. She didn't move though and suddenly a warm glow swept through her, making her gasp. Bright light filled her vision and she blinked rapidly, trying to focus. The world swam back into view for an instant and in that moment, she could see. The sudden rush of energy dissipated and B'Elanna slipped into a deep sleep.

Seven was concerned. 'What is wrong with her?'

Wish sank back onto the deck and ran a shaking hand through her hair. 'She's fine, just sleeping. She'll wake in a few hours.'

The doctor had arrived by that time and he ran his scanner over the engineer's body in surprise. 'I was called down here because the lieutenant decided to nap on the floor?'

~

B'Elanna saw Seven standing near the doctor and the captain when she awoke in sickbay and glanced around. 'I want to talk to you.'

Seven approached, but B'Elanna waved her away. 'Not you. Wish. Find a padd and talk to me.'

The doctor watched on of his padds float across the sickbay and began to scan it and the surrounding area until Torres told him to go away. She looked at the padd and then at Seven and Janeway. 'Can we have a bit of privacy?' They went into the doctor's office and left B'Elanna alone with Wish. 'I saw you.'

I know. The level of healing that you required was draining as I had to recreate the intricate cells and nerves that were damage beyond repair. I was unable to maintain my shield.

'You can be seen by others.'

The shields are automatic. An unconscious reflex.

'Can't you stop it?'

Can you stop breathing?

~

B'Elanna saw the candle flicker to life beside the bed and knew that she was no longer alone. 'I thought you were supposed to stay away from me?' She shivered as she felt the brush of lips against her shoulder. Unseen hands tugged the strap of her nightgown aside as the soft lips continued to trail along her skin, heating her flesh. The material slithered to the floor, leaving her naked and granting the invisible hands access to her body. A light stroke across the tips of her already hardened nipples made B'Elanna gasp, but the sound was not one of protest. Guided to the bed and gently pushed down onto the soft surface, B'Elanna felt as if she were in a dream. It didn't seem real and she wondered briefly if she really was dreaming.

Teeth raked teasingly against her neck and her moan became a startled cry of pleasure as she felt them sink into her shoulder. Unbidden, a low growl rose in the back of her throat and she instinctively tried to grasp her phantom lover, only to curse darkly as her hands encountered only air.

Moist breath fanned her face and B'Elanna could have sworn that Wish was laughing. 'P'Taq!' She tried to roll away, but found herself pressed into the bed, a very tangible form lying on top of hers. B'Elanna quieted and closed her eyes, focusing on what her body could tell her about her lover.

~

'So why don't you wish us back to the Alpha Quadrant?'

Seven looked at Wish inquiringly. 'Can you return Voyager?'

Wish sighed and shook her head. 'Afraid not. I can create objects on a limited scale, like the flower, but moving things requires something more.'

'Yet you removed the engines of the Dumrkian vessel.'

'Yes, by swapping matter.' Knowing what the next question would be, Wish spoke quickly. 'I can displace objects by switching them with a similar mass. I just swapped the engines and weapons with a few asteroids that were orbiting that moon. I have to be able to see the objects I'm manipulating.'

Janeway studied Seven for a long moment. 'Seven, what are the rules governing Wish's?wishes?'

Seven turned to the alien and repeated the question. She was surprised to see Wish throw her hands into the air and cheer. 'Yes! Finally, after a thousand masters somebody asks the right question!'

Janeway saw Seven's surprised expression. 'What is it?'

'She indicates that I have asked the 'correct' question where as others she has served have not.' She frowned at the inefficient necessity of repeating everything to the captain. 'I wish that you were not invisible to the rest of the crew. It is very inefficient.'

Wish grinned hugely. 'Granted!'

Captain Janeway started as the alien materialized and glanced at Seven in question. 'What just happened?'

Wish shrugged nonchalantly. 'She made a wish. I granted it.'

Seven was furious. 'Why did you not inform me that this was possible? Another of your jokes?'

'No. Believe it or not it's just as frustrating to me not being heard or seen as it was to you. I couldn't tell you.'

Seven considered this and then nodded once. 'I understand. It is a matter of the 'correct' question being asked.'

Wish agreed and turned to the captain. 'I am sorry for any disruptions that my presence has caused.'

Before Janeway could reply, Seven spoke. 'I wish to know the rules that govern your service to me. Including those things that you are not required to reveal and anything that you are forbidden to reveal.'

'You're really getting the hang of this.' Wish waved a hand at the other chair. 'May I?'

The captain nodded and she sat down with a loud sigh. 'I'm really glad you asked the right question Seven. I like you and I don't want anything bad to happen to you.'

The implication that there was a danger was clear and Janeway scowled. 'Maybe you better explain.'

'Okay, this is how it works. Seven, I stay with you until you die of natural causes. However, if your death is caused as a result of one of your wishes then I can't prevent it. Every wish has a consequence. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but I am forbidden to interfere. I have seen a lot of masters die very quickly and it becomes a little depressing after a few centuries.'

'They wish for riches and then suddenly their best friend becomes their enemy and slits their throat. They wish for power and there is always somebody out there looking to take it away. Even the wish to make me visible will have a consequence.'

'Do you know what that consequence will be?' Seven seemed distressed.

'Well for starters, I still have to go where ever you are while you're awake. That's going to effect how the crew reacts to you to some extent.'

Janeway shook her head. 'Not as much as her talking to thin air did.'

Laughing in agreement, Wish continued. 'You asked me to tell you everything so here's the rest. I've explained about the matter vs. matter rule. I can't get you home, but I can get you closer as the situation allows. But you must remember that there will always be a consequence.'

Seven had been silent for a time but now she spoke, her voice curious. 'Is there anyway to free you from the curse?'

Wish blinked in surprise. 'Uh? yes there are several ways.'

'Then you will reveal them to me now.'

Not daring to hope, Wish complied. 'You can wish that I no longer serve you.'

Seven's eyepiece rose. 'And what would happen to you?'

'I would return to my box which would be flung back into the universe for someone else to find.'

'Unacceptable. The next way would be?'

'You could wish that I were dead. It wouldn't actually kill me but I would return to the box and stay there?forever.'

'Unacceptable.'

Wish grinned. 'For you and me both.' She hesitated. 'The last way would be if you wished for me to be truly free from the curse and to be my own master.'

Seven considered this and then asked, 'Do you know what the consequences would be?'

Wish nodded. 'You couldn't order me to help you get home faster.'

'Then I wish for you to be free from the Continuum's curse and to be your own mast-.'

Wish held up a hand to stop her. 'While I'm grateful for the gesture Seven, are you sure there isn't anything else you would like before you do this?' She looked pointedly at Seven's cybernetic hand.

Seven held the appendage up and smiled slightly. 'I could wish to be fully human, but what of the consequences? Being human would make me weaker and I would be unable to retain the vast quantities of knowledge that have helped in our journey so far.' She looked at Kathryn and smiled fully for the first time. 'I have discovered that I am 'human enough.''

Seven repeated her wish and the box appeared in the air before them. As it disappeared, Wish realized that she was crying. She wiped her eyes with a shaking hand and laughed unsteadily. 'My, haven't been able to do that in awhile.'

Janeway stood up and approached the woman. 'Well, let me be the first to say welcome to Voyager.'

Wish rose and shook her hand. 'Thank you Captain. If possible I would like to remain on board. I'll work any position you want me to.'

Seven ventured, 'She has shown a fondness for Engineering.'

Wish slapped her forehead. 'B'Elanna! Captain, may I be excused?'

Captain Janeway laughed and nodded. 'Fine. Report back here at 0700 tomorrow and we'll find a place for you.'

Wish bowed and then vanished.

Seven knew that she and Kathryn were probably wearing identical expressions of surprise. 'She still has her powers.'

'Yet she said?' Kathryn trailed off as Seven laughed. It was faint and a little rusty but it was definitely a laugh. She knelt beside her and took her hand. 'Seven?'

'She said that I could not order her to help us home faster, not that she would be unable to.'

Seven's smile made Kathryn's heart skip a beat and she reached out to brush her lips with her own. 'I like that smile.'

~

B'Elanna felt the stroke of fingers along the back of her neck and sighed. 'I'm on duty.'

Wish leaned closer and blew lightly into her ear. 'So take a break.'

B'Elanna froze at the husky voice and turned to find herself starring into a familiar pair of green eyes. She reached out and caught the other woman's shoulders as she looked at the other members of her department. 'Can you see her?'

They nodded and B'Elanna let out a triumphant yell before capturing Wish's mouth with her own.

A few moments later, Chakotay noticed that the chief engineer logged off duty for the rest of the day. The door to the ready room slid open and the captain paused long enough to assign command of the bridge to her second in command for the rest of the shift before following Seven into the turbo lift.

As the doors closed, Chakotay could have sworn he heard Seven laugh.

The End