STAR TREK: VOYAGER

 

An Original J/7 Voyager Story

Ó2007 by Patricia L. Givens

Jadzia7627@msn.com

Rudbeck’s Prize October 2007

 

Disclaimer #1:            This story is an original work of fiction set in the pre-existing universe of Star Trek: Voyager.  As such, many of the characters and references used within belong solely to Paramount Pictures.  I have borrowed them for the purpose of creating this scenario and promise to return them unscathed, and smiling, as soon as I am done.  No gain, monetary or otherwise, is expected from their use and no copyright infringement is intended or should be inferred.

 

Disclaimer #2:            All original characters and storylines contained herein belong to the author. (Like anyone else would claim them! J )  This story may be archived upon request with the stipulation that it must be posted exactly as it was written, with all disclaimers intact.

 

Disclaimer #3:            This story depicts a loving relationship between two women.  If this bothers you then please feel free to tell me so I can print it out and put it at the bottom of my cat’s litter box (He deserves a good laugh too!).  If you are under 18, then please share this with a friend (You’ll be moving out soon and will probably need the toaster oven). If this is illegal where you live then we have obviously traveled back in time so please don’t tell me about it.  I hate temporal mechanics…

 

Who To Blame:          Thanks must go out to Ky (Who is now a refugee from the Hyphenated Semi-Colonic Militia), Andrea and aw61 for being my Collective. 

 

This one is dedicated to Rudbeck, because she did win after all…  I hope this is true to your ideas.

 

No naughty Ensigns were harmed during the writing of this story.  However, one did get a firm spanking from all the women on the Janeway/Seven Faction…

To all that makes us unique!

DAx =/\=

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I love you, and because I love you,

I would sooner have you hate me for telling you

the truth, than adore me for telling you lies.

 

-Pietro Aretino

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Regeneration cycle complete.”

 

Seven of Nine stepped down from her alcove in time to see the doors to Cargo Bay 2 slide shut.  She cocked her head to one side, a small smile playing about her lips.

 

“Computer, locate Captain Janeway.”

 

“Captain Janeway is on the bridge.”

 

Seven frowned, a small furrow of confusion appearing on her forehead.  She was used to catching the Captain’s backside as she left the Cargo Bay right as her regeneration cycle completed.  Janeway’s habit of standing in the shadows and watching her as she ‘slept’ was well known to her.  It was, in fact, something she found oddly endearing if completely out of character for the staid, by-the-book Captain of the Intrepid Class Starship.

 

In some ways, the fact that it was so completely out of character made it all the more intriguing and, for lack of a better word, charming.

 

She had often considered asking the fiery redhead about her propensity to so often end up where Seven herself was, but that would undoubtedly end up leading to one of two scenarios.  The first would be that she would embarrass the Captain, something she was loath to do.  The second would be the Captain offering her assurances that she was merely checking on her wellbeing out of the responsibility she felt for every member of her crew.  And the fact that she was merely another member of the Captain’s crew was something she loathed to hear.

 

Seven sighed.  No, it was better just to leave things as they were and enjoy the Captain’s presence without her knowing she was aware of it.

 

Going to her terminal, she accessed her personal agenda for the day, slightly confused to find the board already up and running but then, Cargo Bay 2 was hardly her own private space.  Adding a few final details to her planned activities, she shut down the board and headed on her way to Astrometrics.

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *          

 

Captain Kathryn Janeway sat in her command chair listening idly to the chatter on the bridge.  Tom was regaling them with yet another tale of Captain Proton while Harry interjected good-natured insults in regards to his friend’s performance as the protector of the universe.  Chakotay laughed along with them while Tuvok listened in with a vaguely disapproving expression on his face.

 

Janeway smiled.  The conversation wasn’t exactly the correct discourse for a bridge crew by Starfleet standards but it wasn’t as if much else was Starfleet standard out here in the Delta either.  Protocol would survive a little banter here and there.

 

“So, what do we have on the agenda today, Commander?”  She smiled at her first officer.

 

Chakotay held up a PADD with a grin.  “Crew rotations.”

 

“That time of the month again already is it?”  She nodded, giving up a sigh of mock weariness.  “Well, let’s get to them shall we?  You have the bridge, Mr. Kim.”

 

Her First Officer followed her into the ready room, accepting her offer of coffee with a nod before folding his large frame into a chair across from her desk.  She joined him with her own cup and held out her hand, taking the PADD from him to look over the list of requests as she sipped at the hot beverage, enjoying the slight burn and the bitterness of it as it coursed down her throat.

 

“These all look fairly standard.”  She set the cup down as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.  “Except this one.  Ensign Rudbeck is requesting a transfer to Astrometrics.  Why don’t I recognize that name?”

 

Chakotay thought for a moment.  “Rudbeck… ahh… Anne Rudbeck.  She was Maquis.  Had a talent for communications, if I recall.”

 

“Not according to this.”  Janeway passed the PADD back to him.  “It shows she excelled in astronomy and science at the academy before leaving to join the Maquis.  Why do we have her in Maintenance?”

 

“I have no idea.”  He looked at the screen with no small amount of confusion.  “The aptitude she showed for communications alone should have her on a higher rotation.  How did she slip through the cracks?”

 

The Captain sighed.  “Maybe she wanted to slip through them.  The fact that both of us needed a moment to remember who she was indicates that she’s been a peripheral entity up until now.  It could be she has decided to step up and fulfill a bigger roll that she didn’t feel she was able to handle before now.  Either way, I’m sure Seven would welcome her expertise.  Assign her to Astrometrics on Seven’s shift and let’s see what she can do.”

 

“Aye, Captain.”  He grinned at her.  “You want to tell Seven or should I?”

 

Janeway drained the last drops of coffee from her mug before throwing him a wry look.  “I’ll do it.  We haven’t been arguing much lately.  I guess we’re overdue.  I’ll be in Astrometrics.”

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

 

Seven felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as the doors to Astrometrics slid open.  The corners of her mouth curled into a small smile as she spoke, her hands never ceasing their movement across the data screen.  “Captain, is there something you require?”

 

“Good morning Seven.”  She could hear the smile in the Captain’s voice as she moved to stand beside her.  The presence of the smaller woman at her side radiated a heat that seemed impossible for a being so small.  “I wanted to talk to you about the duty shift rotations this month.”

 

The Borg stopped and turned to face her.  “Yes, Captain?”

 

“We’ve discovered that Ensign Rudbeck possesses a high aptitude for astronomy and science and we believe your department will benefit from her assistance.”

 

Seven’s face grew solemn.  “You believe my efficiency to be inadequate.”

 

Janeway held her hands up.  “That isn’t what I said, Seven.”

 

“Then why do you deem it necessary to provide me with assistance?”

 

“You have often stated that Tal Celes did not perform her duties adequately and since she has been reassigned to Biometrics I thought you would welcome another hand to help out.”

 

“I was unaware my performance has been lacking.”

 

Janeway reached out and placed a hand on her arm.  “Your performance is exemplary, Seven.  But you cannot be expected to run this whole department by yourself.  Especially if we’ve found a crewman that could not only aid in your endeavors but also benefit from the time spent working with you.”

 

“I see.”  Seven’s tone was cool, remote.  “How long is this duty rotation to be in effect?”

 

“For the moment we’ll place her here for the standard monthly rotation.  Once we see how it works out then we’ll make a decision as to whether to assign her here permanently or not.”

 

The blonde turned back to her console, entering the information slightly more forcefully than necessary.  “I assume that I am to have no input in this decision.”

 

“Of course your opinion will be taken into consideration, Seven.  You are the head of Astrometrics.”  The Captain gentled her tone.  “All I am asking is that you give her a chance.”

 

Seven nodded stiffly.  “Of course, Captain.  I will do as you request.”

 

Janeway bit back a sigh.  For some reason the difference between an order and a request seemed to escape the younger woman.  She was about to explain it to her when the doors slid open again to admit the Ensign in question.  The Captain looked at her speculatively.  She was human, slightly shorter than herself with an athletic build, a thick crop of short black hair and wide, dark expressive eyes.

 

“Ensign Rudbeck reporting for duty, Captain.”

 

Seven turned to meet the newcomer and felt herself stop cold as her thoughts spun strangely in her mind.  “Anne?”  She said softly, looking almost as surprised as the Captain did by her use of the woman’s given name.

 

“Hello, Seven.”  The Ensign gave her a wide, sensual smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth that made the Borg’s heart catch briefly in her chest.

 

Janeway blinked, looking from Seven to Rudbeck and back again.  “I take it you two know each other?”

 

Anne turned her bright smile on the Captain.  “Oh, we’ve seen each other around.”

 

What the hell?  Janeway swallowed her confusion and forced a smile.  “Well then, I’ll let you two get down to work.  Seven, meet me in my ready room at 16:00 hours.  I’d like to go over your scans of the upcoming sector before the end of your shift.”

 

“Of course, Captain.”  The Borg said quietly, never taking her eyes off the black haired beauty.

 

The older woman cast one last look at both of them, feeling something dangerously close to jealousy wind its way down her spine.  “As you were then.”

 

Once the Captain had gone, Anne slid up next to the much taller woman, looking up at her through dark eyelashes.  “You look wonderful today, Annika.”

 

Seven began to correct Anne’s use of her human designation but found that it felt… familiar for some reason.  “My appearance has not been altered, Ensign Rudbeck.”

 

The shorter woman smiled at her sensually.  “I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t worry about titles when we were alone?  And just because you haven’t changed your appearance doesn’t mean you aren’t lovely.”

 

The Borg felt her heart rate increase, a reaction that had only ever occurred when she was in the company of one other individual.  She found it disconcerting.  “Thank you.  You… look lovely as well?”

 

Anne slid her hand down Seven’s arm.  “I’m glad you noticed.”

 

Seven shivered at the touch.  Suddenly she felt the need for some space, as quickly as possible.  “Anne, could you take these projections to Lieutenant Torres in Engineering?  She has been requesting them.”

 

“Sure Annika.  I’ll be right back.”

 

When Anne had gone, Seven leaned heavily against her console, trying to get the thoughts racing through her mind under control.  Images of the young woman seemed to surface faster than she could process them, all of them becoming increasingly personal in nature.  For some reason that she could not fathom, she had been noticing the Ensign for some time and only her close proximity had reminded her of it.

 

Willing herself to focus solely on the work at hand, she felt the images recede until she could once again concentrate on her spatial scans.

 

The Ensign was an enigma that would have to wait.

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

 

Janeway left Astrometrics sorely vexed.  First, Seven had been offended by the addition of Ensign Rudbeck to her department, then she had practically fallen all over herself when the young woman appeared.  Ok, falling all over herself was a bit of a stretch but the fact that she knew the woman’s first name and seemed to look at her in stark appreciation were both extremely unusual occurrences.

 

Making her way to the mess hall, she stepped up to the counter.  “Neelix?”

 

The jovial Talaxian smiled broadly when he saw her, setting a mug on the counter that he filled to the brim with coffee.  “How are you this morning, Captain?”

 

“I’m fine, Neelix.”  She smiled at him.  “How are you?”

 

“Doing well.  Just getting the last of the breakfast customers taken care of.”

 

Janeway looked at him thoughtfully.  “Neelix, do you know Ensign Rudbeck?”

 

“Rudbeck… Rudbeck.”  He scratched his chin.  “Short?  Black hair?”

 

“That’s the one.”  The Captain leaned in closer, lowering her voice so that only the two of them would hear.  “What do you know about her?”

 

“Not very much.  She’s quiet.  Keeps to herself a lot.”

 

“Has she ever come in here with Seven?”

 

“Seven?”  He shook his head.  “Not that I can recall.  Is there something wrong, Captain?”

 

“No, no, not at all.”  She patted him on the hand.  “Just trying to get to know everyone as well as I can.”

 

“Well, if I hear anything I can certainly let you know.”

 

“Thanks, Neelix, but I’m sure I’ll run into her more now that she’s no longer in maintenance.”

 

“All right, Captain.  Have a good day!”

 

Janeway took her coffee and headed for the turbo-lift.  “Deck Four.”  She wasn’t sure why but her wanderings were taking her directly to Cargo Bay 2.  As she neared the doors, she was startled when they slid open to reveal Ensign Rudbeck just leaving.

 

“Ensign?”  She looked at the young woman quizzically.  “What are you doing in the Cargo Bay?”

 

“I didn’t mean to startle you, Captain.  Annika forgot one of her PADDs and she asked me to run up here and get it for her.”

 

“Annika?”  Janeway’s eyebrows shot up.

 

“Oh,” Anne looked contrite.  “I forgot she prefers that you call her Seven.”  The young woman held up the PADD.  “Well, I’d better get this back to Astrometrics, unless there’s something else?”

 

“No, you’re dismissed.”  The Captain watched her go and then entered the Cargo Bay.  Unsure what she was looking for, she went to the console and found it dark.  The Alcoves hummed quietly and the rest of the room looked undisturbed but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something.

 

Frowning to herself, she headed back to the bridge.

 

Chakotay took one look at her face and raised an eyebrow questioningly.  When she inclined her head towards her ready room, he followed her in silence until the doors slid shut behind them.  “I take it the conversation did not go well?”

 

The Captain sat down with a sigh.  “Actually, it didn’t at first.  But when the Ensign showed up, it was like they were old friends.”

 

“Old friends?”  Her First Officer couldn’t keep the skepticism from his voice.  “With Seven?”

 

“Exactly!”  She leaned back in her chair and placed a hand on her forehead.  “I don’t understand it.  It was like all of the fight went out of her as soon as she laid eyes on her.”

 

“Love at first sight?”  He blanched at the glare that earned him.  “Or maybe not.  What do you think is going on?”

 

“I have no idea.  But I intend to find out.  Get me all of Ensign Rudbeck’s service records, from both the Maquis and Starfleet databases.  Something’s… off.  And I intend to find out what it is.”

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

 

Seven glanced up as the doors to Astrometrics slid open, her gaze becoming immediately concerned when she saw the unhappiness apparent on her friends face.  “Anne?”  She reached out and put her fingers under the smaller woman’s chin, using them to lift her face, gasping softly when she saw the dark eyes were full of tears.  “What is wrong?”

 

Anne sniffled, her lower lip trembling slightly.  “It’s the Captain.”

 

“The Captain?  What has occurred?”

 

“She doesn’t like me, Annika.  She never has.”

 

Seven felt a fierce protectiveness flow through her.  “You must be mistaken.  Captain Janeway treats all of her crew in a fair and consistent manner.”

 

“Didn’t you see the way she looked at me this morning?”

 

The Borg thought back and truthfully the Captain had seemed a little off with the Ensign.

 

“I just ran into her on the way back here and she treated me like a bug.  I swear, Annika, she’s jealous of how close we are.”

 

“Why would Captain Janeway be jealous of our friendship?”

 

Anne’s

 face became angry.  “Because you’re her pet Borg!  She’s apparently the only one that’s supposed to have anything to do with you.  You don’t know what I had to go through just to get her to give me a chance to work in Astrometrics.  I studied advanced astronomy at the academy but she had me assigned down in maintenance.  Why do you think that is?  If Chakotay hadn’t gone to bat for me I’d probably still be flushing out plasma conduits.”

 

Seven felt confused.  Her thoughts seemed to swim with images of Anne again.  After sifting through them, she could find no reason why the Captain would harbor animosity towards the young woman.  She was friendly and vivacious, and if she was honest with herself, very pleasant to be around.  “You must be mistaken.”  She was astonished to find herself wrapping her arms around the smaller woman.  “I will speak to the Captain on your behalf.”

 

“No!”  Anne returned the hug tightly.  “That will only make her angrier.  I think for the time being our best course of action would be to keep our friendship between us.  I don’t want to give her any reason to pull me out of Astrometrics.  Not now that we are finally getting to work together like we always talked about. Promise me, ok?”

 

The blonde looked down and felt herself falling into the darkness of the young woman’s eyes.  “Very well, I will not broach the subject with her for the time being.”

 

The Ensign sniffled one last time and then smiled up at her before standing on her tip toes to kiss her gently.  “Thank you, Annika.”

 

The kiss electrified Seven, causing a cascade of images to flood through her mind of them engaging in that same activity before.  Bending down, she brought their lips together again, enjoying the feel of the mouth on hers and sighing when she felt a shy tongue reach out to touch her own briefly.

 

“Now.”  Anne pushed her away playfully.  “We better get some work done or we’re both gonna be on the Captain’s bad side.”

 

“Agreed.”  Seven smiled at her and turned back to her work.

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *          

 

Captain Janeway frowned at the PADDs before her.  They contained Ensign Rudbeck’s entire history, both with the Maquis and on Voyager.  They clearly outlined her proficiency in astronomy and communications, including commendations from her professors at the academy for outstanding work before she resigned and joined up with the freedom fighters.

 

The records of her service to the Maquis before she came to be aboard Chakotay’s vessel were rather limited, but contained the same kinds of glowing praise as her Starfleet records did.

 

Apparently, her abilities and contributions only became muted once she joined the crew of Voyager.  From that time forward, there was next to nothing, aside from receiving adequate personnel ratings, up until her request to be transferred to Seven’s department.

 

It was like she was a ghost lost in the machine.

 

How could both she and Chakotay have missed her potential?  It just didn’t make sense.

 

When her door chimed several hours later, she looked up, rubbing her eyes.  “Come.”

 

Seven of Nine strode purposefully into the room, coming to stop before her desk where she stood patiently.

 

“Seven.”  The Captain smiled.  “What can I do for you?”

 

“It is 16:00 hours, Captain.”  Seven raised one eyebrow.  “You requested my presence to discuss our scans of the upcoming sector.”

 

Our scans?

 

“Oh, right, I’m sorry.  I didn’t realize it had gotten so late.”  She stood and went to the replicator to get a coffee.  “Can I offer you something to drink?”

 

“I do not require liquid refreshment at this…”  Her voice trailed off and Janeway turned to see her looking down at the PADDs strewn across the desk.  “Why have you accessed Ensign Rudbeck’s personnel files?”

 

Janeway felt her hackles rise.  “I beg your pardon?”  She said coolly.

 

“Why are you studying Ensign Rudbeck’s personnel files?”  Seven looked at her keenly.  “I can read upside down, Captain.”

 

“While I am sure that you can, Seven, it is not for you to question my activities regarding another crewmember.”

 

The Borg looked her directly in the eyes, her chin jutting forward slightly.  “Even when those activities are inappropriate?”

 

The Captain moved to stand toe to toe with the angry young woman.  “Again, my decision to peruse the Ensign’s personnel files is none of your concern.  Your behavior is bordering on insubordinate, Seven.”

 

“And your behavior is bordering on harassment!”

 

“Seven!”  Janeway’s countenance changed from angry to concerned.  “What is wrong with you?”

 

“I could ask you the same question, Captain.  Are you so threatened by my personal interest in Anne that you feel the need to investigate her covertly?”

 

“Threatened?”  Janeway reached out only to be shocked when her hand was batted aside.  “Seven what has gotten into you?”

 

The younger woman looked as though she would become violent for a moment, then all the fight went out of her, leaving her looking very young and very confused.  “Captain?”  She seemed to fall back slightly.  “I do not believe I am functioning correctly.”

 

“I would say that’s an understatement.”  The Captain reached out again, relieved when Seven accepted the hand on her arm.  “Come on, we’re going to sick bay.”

 

She led Seven quietly through the bridge, shaking her head at Chakotay’s questioning glance.

 

In the turbo-lift, the younger woman leaned on her heavily and the Captain felt herself give into the tenderness she felt for the Borg, reaching up to brush back the strands that had come loose from the normally elegant bun.

 

She was grateful to find sickbay quiet when they arrived, leaving Seven to rest on a bio-bed as she went into the Doctor’s office.

 

“Captain?”  The Doctor looked up at her concerned face from where he sat behind his desk.  “What’s wrong?”

 

“It’s Seven.  She’s behaving extremely erratically.”

 

The Doctor glanced out the window, taking in the blonde’s confused expression with worry.  “What is she doing?”

 

“She seems to be unusually attached to an Ensign that I just assigned to her department this morning.  When I first informed her that the woman would be working with her, she was completely against the idea.  But as soon as she met her, she began acting like they were…”

 

“Were what?”

 

“Involved.”  The Captain said the word like it left a bad taste in her mouth.  “Personally.”

 

“I see.”  He looked at Janeway thoughtfully.  “Is there any chance they might be?”

 

She pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers.  “I suppose it’s possible, but I find it highly unlikely.  She was so adamant about not wanting Ensign Rudbeck in her department and then did a complete 180 on the subject.  Then there is also her behavior towards me.”

 

“You?”  He picked up a medical tri-corder. 

 

“Yes.  You know that Seven and I are close.”  She raised her hands helplessly.  “But she attacked me verbally when she found out I was looking into the Ensign’s past.  It appeared as though she was close to striking out at me…physically.”

 

The Doctor’s eyes widened.  That was completely out of character for Seven.  He was very aware of her affinity for the Captain.  At times it almost appeared as though the Borg harbored feelings for the older woman.  “Let me do some scans.”  He walked over to Seven, a carefully pleasant expression on his face.  “Hello, Seven.  How are you feeling?”

 

The Borg looked up at him, confusion apparent on her face.  “I am unsure, Doctor.”  Her voice was quiet, small.  “I am not operating within my normal parameters.”  She looked up as Janeway joined them, shame filling her features.  “I have been most unpleasant to the Captain.”

 

“Alright.”  He smiled at her reassuringly.  “I’m sure we can figure out what is going on.  Why don’t you lie back on the bio-bed.”

 

The young woman complied docilely, causing his concern to double.  He ran the tri-corder over her entire body, and then localized his scans over her head.  “Wait here, Seven.”

 

Janeway followed the Doctor over to his console where he downloaded the information into the computer.  His brow furrowed as he read the results.

 

“What is it, Doctor?”  Janeway stepped closer, looking at the scans over his shoulder.

 

“Seven’s cortical node has been hyper-stimulated.”  He tapped the controls, pointing at the screen.  “Look at these memory engrams.  It almost looks as though her cortical node has malfunctioned, causing several of them to be stored over the same areas as other memories.  It’s no wonder she’s behaving erratically.  Her thoughts must be running all together, conflicting with each other.”

 

“What’s causing it?”

 

“I won’t know until I can do further research.”  He glanced back at the young woman in concern.  “I think the best thing for her now is to regenerate.  It could help to bring some order to the chaos going on in her mind and it would definitely be better for her cortical processes to be limited for the time being.  I would recommend a full eight hour regeneration period while I go over these results.”  As they rejoined the Borg,  he said gently “Seven, there seems to be a discrepancy in your eidetic memory.  The Captain is going to escort you back to Cargo Bay 2 where I want you to regenerate for a full cycle while I go over your scans more thoroughly, alright?”

 

Seven nodded, sliding off the bio-bed and allowing Janeway to slip an arm around her waist protectively.  “You will contact me when you know more?”

 

“Of course.”  He assured her. “Just go rest for now.”

 

She nodded, walking silently with the Captain until they reached the Cargo Bay.  The older woman helped her up onto the dais and reached for the controls, only to have Seven’s hand stop her hesitantly.

 

“Captain… I am… I am…”

 

“It’s alright, Seven.”  Janeway said gently.  “It isn’t your fault.  We’ll figure it out.”

 

The Borg nodded, closing her eyes as the Captain began her regeneration cycle.  Janeway stood beside her, looking up at the Borg’s beautiful features for several long minutes before she sighed.

 

She knew what she felt for the young woman went beyond friendship, beyond being her mentor and the fact that she was suffering was more than she thought she could bear. 

 

She would figure out what was causing the problem.  No matter what it took.

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

 

Seven smiled, sitting up in bed to hold the sheets modestly around her chest.  Anne looked up at her, reaching out to run her hands through the Borg’s pale mane of hair.

 

“I love you, Annika.”

 

“I love you as well, Anne.”

 

The smaller woman sighed, sliding out of bed to reach for her uniform.  “You know we’re going to have problems if we stay here on Voyager.  People aren’t going to like that we’re involved.”

 

“People?”  Seven looked at her in confusion.  “Why would anyone be concerned?”

 

“Because you used to be Borg, Annika.  None of them can see beyond that.  They still think you’re some kind of monster.  They don’t know you the way I do.”

 

“They will adapt.”

 

“Will they?”  Anne sighed.  “As much as I love working with you, I wonder why the Captain finally allowed it?  She has been so against it up until now.  I can’t help but wonder what her personal agenda is.”

 

“Why do you believe the Captain will be unhappy with the natural progression of our affiliation?”

 

“Haven’t you seen the way she looks at you?  She wants you all to herself.  She doesn’t want to share you with anyone, even as she isn’t willing to give you the things you need.”

 

“Captain Janeway has always been very supportive of me.”  Seven replied, but part of her began to doubt her own words.

 

“That’s what she wants you to believe.  But think about it, Annika.  Really think about it.”  She finished dressing and handed the Borg her bio-suit.  “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast before our duty shifts.”

 

The two of them left the Ensign’s quarters, holding hands lightly as they headed for the mess hall.  As they were arriving, the doors slid open and the Captain walked out into the hall.  She took one look at their linked hands and her face went cold.

 

“Seven.  Ensign.”  Her voice was like steel.  “This behavior is completely inappropriate.  I would expect more professional behavior from two officers on my crew.”  She leaned in closer, her eyes full of anger.  “If they wish to remain officers, that is.”

 

 

“Regeneration cycle incomplete.”

 

Seven stepped down from the dais, her eyes flashing anger as she took in the empty Cargo Bay.  “Computer, locate Captain Janeway.”

 

“Captain Janeway is in her ready room.”

 

Seven strode purposefully through the ship, her anger only growing stronger as she entered the bridge.  She stalked passed Commander Chakotay, not even looking at him to enter the ready room without announcing herself.

 

“Seven?”  The Captain looked up at her in alarm, her coffee mug halfway to her lips.  “Why aren’t you regenerating?”

 

“I discerned your intentions behind assigning Ensign Rudbeck to my department.”  She said coldly.

 

Janeway leaned forward in her chair, carefully setting her coffee aside.  “What are you talking about, Seven?”

 

“You assigned the Ensign to my department so that you could then cite Starfleet protocol against Senior Officers becoming involved with subordinate officers as a reason to keep us apart.”

 

The older woman paled.  “Is that what you think?”

 

The Borg straightened, her hands going behind her back as her face took on a look of disgust.  “You desire me, and yet you will not allow yourself to act on that desire due to your own adherence to a Starfleet principle wholly irrelevant here in the Delta Quadrant.  And yet, even though you will not allow yourself to act, you seek to prohibit my involvement with Anne by placing us in the same situation.  I find your actions reprehensible.”

 

The Captain stood, holding on to her patience by the thinnest thread.  “Seven, you are not well.  You will return to the Cargo Bay and complete your regeneration cycle as the Doctor ordered.”

 

“I am not a member of your crew.”  The Borg spat.  “I have followed your orders only because I chose to, not out of some sense of duty.  I owe you nothing and I will not allow your jealousy to dictate the course of my interaction with Ensign Rudbeck.”

 

Without another word, Seven turned and left the ready room.

 

Janeway moved to follow her and then stopped herself, trying to allow herself time to cool off before speaking with the young woman again.

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

 

Seven headed directly to the crew quarters, not stopping until she found herself standing in front of Anne’s door.  She punched in a code, allowing herself admittance to find the beautiful young woman curled up on the couch reading a book.

 

“Annika?”  Anne stood immediately, walking over to her to cup her face in her hands.  “What’s wrong?”

 

“You were correct, Anne.  The Captain placed you in my department to then use Starfleet protocol to keep us apart.  She will never allow us to be together while we remain on Voyager.”

 

Rudbeck sighed.  “What do you suggest we do about it?”

 

The Borg placed on palm against Anne’s smooth, pale cheek.  “We should leave this vessel.  Immediately.”

 

“How would we do that?”

 

“I am Borg.”  Seven looked down at her.  “Assemble any items you wish to take with you.  It will be simple for me to over-ride the commands on a shuttle craft.  Once we are away from Voyager, we can decide where we wish to go.”

 

The Ensign looked torn for a moment, and then her face cleared, a bright smile replacing her worry.  “You’re right.  We need to be together.  Let’s go.”

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *          

 

Captain Janeway stepped out of her ready room, her anger and worry apparent on her face as she slid into her command chair.

 

“Captain?”  Chakotay looked at her in alarm.  “What’s going on?”

 

She had just opened her mouth to answer when Harry spoke.

 

“Captain!  We have an unauthorized shuttle launch, bay one.”

 

Janeway stood.  “Who is it?”

 

Harry scanned the vessel, his eyes widening.  “It’s Seven of Nine and Ensign Rudbeck.”

 

“Seal the bay!”

 

“I can’t, Captain!  Seven’s locked me out with a Borg encryption code!”

 

She turned to the view-screen to see the small craft sliding away from them.  “Lock on a tractor beam!”

 

“They’re offline!”

 

“Hail them!”

 

Harry punched his console.  “No response!”

 

Janeway turned back to the screen, watching helplessly as the shuttle went to warp.  She looked at Kim.

 

He shook his head.  “They’re gone, Captain.”

 

She stared at the empty space in front of Voyager, her heart catching painfully in her chest.

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *          

 

Anne glanced over at the beautiful drone beside her, taking in the pale complexion and console lights reflecting off the implants still adorning her face.  “We made it.”  She said in wonder.

 

“Yes.”  Seven’s lips curved into a faint smile.  “Did you doubt we would?”

 

“Well, I had my concerns.  Captain Janeway can be pretty wily when she needs to be, even if she was idiotic enough to get us stranded out here in this God forsaken quadrant.

 

Seven felt a momentary twinge of anger at hearing Janeway disparaged in that manner, but it was lost quickly in the feel of the smaller woman’s lips against her own.  When they broke the contact, she leaned her forehead against the other woman’s, asking quietly, “Do you have any thoughts as to a destination?”

 

Anne looked down at her with her dark, hypnotic eyes.  “Oh, I have an idea or two.”

 

Without warning, she pressed a hypo-spray to the Borg’s neck, watching in satisfaction as the much larger woman slumped in her chair.

 

The smile on her face turned into a sneer.  “I very definitely have an idea or two.”

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *

 

Janeway stood quietly on the dais of Seven’s alcove, her eyes closed as she tried to sort out her thoughts.  What the hell had happened?  She went through her memories of the past two days carefully, examining every interaction, every nuance of conversation until she thought her head would explode.

 

“Captain?”

 

Her eyes flew open to find the Doctor standing in front of her.  “I was just trying to make sense out of all of this.”

 

“I think I can help.”  He led her over to the computer console, pulling up his data from Seven’s scans.  He pointed at the screen.  “These are Seven’s normal memory engrams.”  He pressed in another command, causing a second set of readings to overlay the first.  “These are the results of my scans.  What do you see?”

 

Janeway bent closer, studying the screen.  “The synaptic patterns don’t match!”

 

“No, they don’t.  I wouldn’t even have noticed it except that two of the engrams have the exact same time index.  Meaning Seven would have had to be experiencing two distinctly different set of circumstances at the same time.”

 

“How is this possible?”

 

The Doctor sighed.  “All I can come up with is that someone has been feeding false memories directly into Seven’s cortical node.”

 

The Captain’s head came up.  “Something like this happened before; when she downloaded too much information directly from the data banks, throwing her thoughts into chaos!”  She turned back to the alcove and started to run her hands over and behind it.  Her eyes closed as her hand came in contact with something attached firmly to the back of one of the contacts.  Pulling, she ripped out a rectangular box.  “A Borg data node.”

 

The Doctor took it from her and connected it to the computer console through an interface that looked as though it had been added for just that purpose.  He frowned in anger.  “This is how they did it.  They falsified memories and uploaded them directly through her alcove. This would have to have been done by someone extremely intelligent.  Someone well versed in science-“

 

“And communications.”  The Captain ground her teeth.  “Ensign Rudbeck.”

 

            *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *           *          

 

Anne closed the stasis drawer, sealing Seven’s unconscious body inside.  With a snarl of disgust, she tore the Starfleet uniform from her body and threw it to the ground before slipping into the comfort of her Maquis uniform.

 

Moving back to the fore compartment, she sat down in the pilot’s chair and accessed the communications array, sending out a signal to the ship she knew was waiting for her several sectors away.

 

She smiled when the signal was answered and the view screen lit up with a familiar face.  “Darius.”  She greeted.