No title 02

Kathryn walked into the mess hall intent on getting a fresh cup of coffee. She was startled to see Seven sitting alone at a table. Seven only came to the mess hall on rare occasions. She didn’t normally take breakfast here. Curiosity overtook her need for coffee and she made her way over to Seven’s table.

“Good morning Seven. Glad to see you’re taking breakfast in the mess hall.”
Kathryn gestured towards the tray that was sitting in front of Seven.

“Good morning Captain. Would you care to join me?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

“I’ll just ask Neelix to bring me some coffee and toast. What are you having?”

“I have replicated ration bar 2876 for breakfast.”

Kathryn cringed at the thought of eating ration bars.
“God, how can you eat those things voluntarily? They taste vile!”

“I like their unobtrusive, neutral taste.”

“So no spicy food for you then. I’ll keep that in mind.”

While they were talking Neelix had made his way over to them.

“I thought you might want a cup of coffee.”

Kathryn took the offered cup of coffee eagerly.
“You know me too well, Neelix!”

Neelix blushed slightly at the comment.

“Can I get you anything else, Captain?”

“Some toast would be great.”

“I’ll get it right away. Do you want anything else Seven?”

“No thank you.”

After Neelix left Kathryn inhaled the scent of the coffee with great satisfaction. She tentatively took a sip.

“You may not understand how I can eat ration bars, but I can’t understand how you can drink something that tastes so bitter.”

“So you’ve tried coffee?”

“Indeed. It was an extremely unpleasant endeavour.”

Kathryn laughed at the look of extreme distaste on Seven’s face.
“I guess it’s a required taste.”

Seven nodded.

“So what brings you to the mess hall? I don’t often see you here.”

“It has come to my attention that a lot of crew members like to come here to socialize. I thought it would help me get better acquainted to some of them.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Neelix came over with a tray of buttered toast.

“Just the way I like them, thank you Neelix.”

“My pleasure Captain. You know where to find me if you need anything else.”

“I sure do.”

“You too Seven, if you decide to get a bit more adventurous…”

“I will keep it in mind.”

“You really should try some of this toast Seven. It tastes heavenly.”

“That is what you said about coffee.”

Kathryn laughed at the indignant scowl on Sevens face.

“Why don’t you just humour me? I was right about the iced tea, wasn’t I?”

“I will try it once.”

Kathryn offered Seven a piece of toast. Seven tentatively took a bite.

“Well, what do you think?”

“It has an intriguing texture.”

“Do you like it?”

“I am not averse to it.”

“Take another bite. You have to get used to the taste.”

After two more bites Seven grudgingly admitted she quite liked the toast.

“I told you you would like it. Here take the rest of mine, I have to go to the bridge anyway.”

“Thank you Captain.”

“Oh, and Seven good luck with the socializing.”

*********

“Janeway to Seven of Nine.”

“Seven of Nine here.”

“Seven could you join me in my quarters tonight at eight. We haven’t had a chance to talk for a while. The negotiations with the Indaari took longer than I anticipated. I thought it might be nice to catch up.”

“That would be acceptable.”

“I’ll see you then, Janeway out.”

The chime rang.

“Come in Annika. Make yourself comfortable.”

Kathryn gestured towards the couch.

“How have you been?”

“I am functioning within normal parameters.”

“That’s a very Borg-like answer. Is anything wrong?”

“I am fine.”

“Are you sure? Is there anything you wish to talk about?”

No answer was forthcoming.

“Annika I can sense there is something on your mind. You know you can tell me if something is bothering you, right?”

Seven nodded.

“It’s the Commander.”

When Seven didn’t elaborate Kathryn asked:
“Did something happen?

“Yes… no…”

“Take your time Annika.”

“You know I have been eating in the mess hall more regularly to socialize.”

Kathryn nodded.

“On one of these occasions the Commander asked to join me. I was startled at first because we haven’t socialized before.”

Kathryn nodded again.

“He joined me for breakfast. We mostly talked about work. After this first occasion he regularly joined me, sometimes with Tom and B’Ellanna, sometimes alone.”

“That’s nice.”

Seven nodded.

“Indeed.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“B’Ellanna told me yesterday that she suspects that the Commander has a romantic interest in me.”

“Oh.”

There was a long silence.
“Has Chakotay indicated to you that he has a romantic interest in you?”

“Not overtly no.”

“Covertly?”

“As I have said, he has joined me for dinner, lunch and breakfast on numerous occasions. During these meals he has complimented me on the progress I have made, on my work, on my looks, …”

“I see. Do you... do you have a romantic interest in Chakotay?”

Seven seemed to ponder the question.

“I do not know.”

“Do you wish to explore the possibility of a relationship with him?”

“I do not know him well enough.”

“Part of dating is getting to know the other person better.”

“You think I should date the Commander.”
It was more a statement than a question.

“That’s not for me to decide. You have to decide for yourself if Chakotay is someone you want to become closer to, or not.”

Seven nodded.
“I will give it some thought.”