Title: Everything Disclaimers: Paramount owns anything and everything associated with Voyager and her characters.  I just enjoy playing with them and shall make no money from this. This story depicts women who love women and aren’t afraid to show it.  That means sex.  If you can’t deal with that, I believe Barney is playing on someone’s television from the last century.  If you are too young or this is illegal where you live, leave now.  Oh, yeah.  The character of Lt. Rain Masters is all mine. Spoilers: Too many episodes to mention, with the exception of “Imperfection” and “Human Error” Archive: Perfect Misfits for sure.  All others, please ask. Rating: Ch. 1-10, R, later chapters, maybe NC-17; a T/7, J/f story Everything Chapter 1 B’Elanna Torres was not having a good day.  The fact that her workday was approaching its 23rd hour was only an added annoyance.  Shuffling through the Jeffries tube that led to Engineering, Torres thought about all that had happened in the last 24 hours. That dream.  Damn it, don’t think about it.  How can I not think about it?  Geez, Torres, get a grip! Well, you’re divorced. It’s ok to dream about someone else besides Paris.  But an erotic dream?  So?  You’re six months pregnant, that’s what!  Oh, geez. At 0300 yesterday morning, Torres was rudely awakened from the absolute most intense dream of her life by a call from Vorik about a ship-wide systems failure… “Vorik to Lieutenant Torres.” B’Elanna turned her head on the pillow, trying to get away from the incessant chirping.  “Vorik to Lieutenant Torres.” The chirping continued. “Vorik to Lieutenant Torres!” “What, damn it!”  B’Elanna Torres, abruptly pulled from her sleep – panting, sweating, hearts racing– was pissed at the interruption.  Even if the one doing the interrupting was her favorite engineer.  Reaching for her comm. badge, “This better be good, Vorik,” she growled. “Lieutenant,” replied Vorik, completely unfazed by her anger, “we are experiencing – At that very moment, Voyager dropped out of warp. B’Elanna crawled out of bed to throw on her uniform.  Well, as quickly as she could, given her condition.  Being pregnant in her sixth month did not make for smooth motions or graceful actions.  What’s wrong with my ship now? she wondered.  Out loud she interrupted, “What the hell is going on?” “As I was saying, Lieutenant, we are experiencing a ship-wide systems failure in the positronic circuitry adjacent to all gel-packs… …B’Elanna continued making her way back to engineering through Jeffries tube 22, feeling an overwhelming fatigue permeate her body.  Pausing to rest, she chuckled softly as she remembered what happened after finding the cause of the systems failures.  Had she ever been so wrong about a person in her life?… When she arrived in engineering, she immediately went to a console to begin accessing Voyager’s systems.  Upon analyzing the various systems, she noticed that all the failures followed the same path and pattern.  Turning to Lt. Vorik, she asked, “Why haven’t you checked the comm. system?” Vorik raised his eyebrow in typical Vulcan fashion and stated, “The communications system had not been affected by the failures, Lieutenant.” “And you didn’t find that odd?” she shot back. “Every other system on board is affected except communications.  Let’s start there.” “Yes, Lieutenant.” Ten minutes later, Torres discovered the problem and promptly flew into a Klingon rage worthy of the great Kahless. “God damn it! That stupid, arrogant Borg P’Tach!  I’ll kill her!” Torres turned to her staff and hollered, “Vorik!  You and Nicoletti divide everyone into teams to start changing out all the positronic circuit boards.  Get the equipment and personnel in place, but don’t start until you hear from me.  I’ll be in Cargo Bay 2.” Chapter 2 Torres flew out of Engineering and into the turbolift.  “Deck 8,” she spat out to the computer.  She took this moment to call the Bridge and inform Commander Chakotay of the situation and her estimation on how long the repairs would take. Upon reaching the appropriate deck, she stomped down the corridor, barged into the Cargo Bay, and began yelling as soon as she crossed the threshold.  “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Borg?!”  When she looked up to continue her verbal assault, what she saw stopped her cold. All four of the Borg children were hunched over a work console, feverishly going over some problem.  Torres still couldn’t believe that the three little ones were back on board.  Several months ago, the 10-year old twins, Azan and Rebi, had been contacted by members of their species, the Wysanti.  Voyager met with the Wysanti and Azan and Rebi decided to leave with them. The 8-year old girl, Mizoti-a Norcadian-had not been contacted by her people and was invited to live with the twins in their new home. Then, quite unexpectedly, two weeks ago Voyager came across a small Wysanti vessel.  At a meeting of the senior staff the next day, Torres discovered that the “borglings” had “run away.”  Apparently, the Wysanti neglected to inform Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine that their planet had just engaged in a civil war with catastrophic repercussions.  The twins and Mizoti stole a shuttle and escaped after learning that they were to be used for their Borg knowledge to defeat Wysanti insurrectionists. During the recounting of the horrors the small children had to endure in their short stay in a “normal” life, B’Elanna could tell that, although she tried to hide it, Seven was deeply upset.  Torres remembered Seven’s guilt over Icheb’s failed return to his homeland and wondered if she thought all of this was her fault.  Perhaps Seven was the best thing to happen to those kids, she thought.  After all, they were safe while Seven took care of them.  Danger never accosted them until they left.  B’Elanna also realized that Seven would never let anyone harm them as long as it was in her power to keep them safe.  She also wondered why she kept thinking of Seven at all. Staring at the four children, now, she felt her rage dissipate slightly.  She would die before admitting it, but she had a soft spot for them.  Maybe it was hormonal, due to her pregnancy, or perhaps, it was because she was about to be a mother herself, but she felt very protective of them.  Icheb noticed her arrival first, looked up, then quickly input commands into the console to remove whatever was displayed on the screen.  “Lieutenant Torres.  Are you looking for Seven of Nine?” he asks in his vaguely dispassionate way. “Yeah,” she replied.  “What are you guys working on?  Shouldn’t you be regenerating?  It’s after 0330.” The littlest Borg and only girl, Mizoti, stepped forward and assumed a very Seven-like pose, feet shoulder-width apart, shoulders back, hands clasped behind her back. Torres bit back a chuckle at how absolutely Seven-like she was.  Mizoti answered Torres’ question, “We are not at liberty to say, Lieutenant.  Why are you not regenerating?  It is, after all, after 0330.” By now, Torres was on to the fact that these four were behaving in a more than odd fashion, even for them.  Icheb was standing very stiffly behind the console, while Azan and Rebi were giving each other these veiled looks.  And Mizoti’s diversion tactic was not lost on her, either. “Funny you should ask that, little one.  Vorik got me out of bed to fix a ship-wide systems failure.  Seems someone was trying to enhance the comm. system using a routing algorithm.  A Borg routing algorithm.  A damn-er, uh, darn good algorithm, but too complex.  Seems as though it caused a feedback surge to pulse through the system, blowing all the positronic circuits.  You guys wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” Torres observed the shuffling of feet and the nervous looks with a touch of humor in her eyes, proving that the same guilty behavior existed for all children across the universe, including Borg ones.  She walked up to Mizoti, took her hand and led her over to the Borg alcoves.  Passing the twins, she grabbed Rebi’s hand, also and nodded her head to Azan and Icheb.  Once all the children were seated on the deck, B’Elanna asked them to explain what they did. Twenty minutes later, the mystery of the systems failure was solved.  It would, of course, take hours and hours of manpower to correct, but they were children.  Torres still didn’t understand why they “enhanced” the comm. system.  So she asked them. To her surprise, the twins answered in unison.  Creepy. “To help Seven.” “Why does Seven need help?” she asked softly. Icheb replied this time.  “We are forbidden to say, Lieutenant.” Torres looked at them for a minute, and then said quietly, “Okay. But I need a promise from all of you that you won’t undertake any more experiments that affect ships systems, including any “enhancements,” without speaking with me first. Can you do that?” All four answered in the affirmative.  Torres suggested that they regenerate and then started their cycles once they were installed in their respective alcoves.  Leaving the Cargo Bay, she wondered briefly why it felt like she was “tucking them in.” Chapter 3 Walking toward the turbolift, Torres contacted Engineering.  “Torres to Vorik.” “Yes, Lieutenant?” “You can start the repairs now.  There shouldn’t be any further problems once the circuit boards are replaced.  I’ll join you as soon as I run an errand.” “Acknowledged.” Tapping her comm. badge once to close the channel, Torres made an enquiry. “Computer, what is the location of Seven of Nine?” --Seven of Nine is in Sickbay Torres entered the ‘lift and said, “Deck five.” As she entered Sickbay, Torres was disappointed to find only the Doctor.  She noticed that the EMH was busy poring over the design schematics of a Borg cortical node. “Hey Doc, where’s Seven?  The computer said she was here.” The Doctor looked up from his study to reply, “You just missed her.  I take it this isn’t a business call?  You and the baby are fine?” “No, we’re great.  A little tired, but it is 0400.  What are you doing?” “Cramming for a test,” he ground out, slightly frustrated. With a look of confusion, Torres asked, “What are you talking about?” “I’m not at liberty to say.” “I’m getting damn tired of that answer,” Torres growled. The Doctor looked intently at the slightly miffed Chief Engineer of the starship Voyager.  Knowing he was in a bind, the Doctor tried to think of a way to garner the help of the brilliant engineer without violating his ethical subroutines.  He realized that her skills would be an invaluable asset in solving his current predicament, namely helping his favorite patient reach the full scope of her humanity.  He stared intently into the dark eyes of the engineer until she grew uncomfortable.  Then he simply stated, “Doctor/patient confidentiality,” knowing, of course, that the smart Lieutenant would figure it out. Both of Torres’ eyebrows shot way up her forehead. What just happened here? B’Elanna thought to herself.  She quickly put the pieces together.  She knew that Seven was just in Sickbay.  She also knew that the Doctor was immersing himself in the design specs for a Borg cortical node and that the Borglings were worried about Seven.  With the Doctor stating that he couldn’t discuss why he was looking at blueprints of a cortical node due to doctor/patient confidentiality, she immediately reached the obvious conclusion.  Seven was sick.  The thought made her hearts clinch, and she wondered why that was. She didn’t care about Seven.  Or did she? Watching the thoughts fly across her face, the Doctor knew when she reached her conclusion.  Staring back at her, he silently confirmed her suspicions.  Since Torres was, perhaps, the second most intelligent person on board-after Seven- she also realized that the Doctor would not even have told her as much as he had unless he needed her help and wasn’t allowed to ask for it.   Though the exchange was silent, Torres’ answer was not. “I’ll do what I can.”  Then she left Sickbay with a determined stride. Chapter 4 “Computer, locate Seven of Nine.” ----Seven of Nine is in the Mess Hall. She was hit again with disappointment when she arrived at the Mess Hall to find it dark and deserted.  Damn, B’Elanna thought, does she ever stay in one place?  Thinking she had just missed Seven, again, Torres turned to leave but paused when she caught a glimpse of starlight glinting off metal.  Looking into the far corner of the Mess Hall, Torres saw Seven leaning against a viewport, gazing out at the passing starfield. Approaching softly, she enquired, “Seven?”  B’Elanna was concerned at Seven’s absolutely abject demeanor.  She had only ever seen the Borg upset on two occasions—when One died and when she thought she was dying.  B’Elanna remembered being concerned those times, as well.  I don’t even like her, do I?  For not liking someone, you sure think about her an awful lot. At her approach, Seven straightened and retreated behind her implacable shell of self-control.  “Lieutenant, I apologize for not coming to Engineering when Voyager dropped out of warp.  As there was no Red Alert, I thought it prudent to wait until my presence was requested before “encroaching on your territory.” “Why now, Seven?  You never worried about that before,” came Torres’ reply. “You were not pregnant before, Lieutenant.” “How does that change anything?” “I do not wish to irritate you.  Unfortunately, my very presence usually accomplishes that very feat.  You have been going through a difficult time, personally, as of late, regarding your dissolved marriage and the upcoming birth of your child.  I did not wish to add to your stress, and am, therefore, endeavoring to remain as unobtrusive as possible.” B’Elanna was a little shocked.  She stared at the Borg with her mouth slightly agape.  She had never expected to detect that note of, what was it?, hurt? on Seven’s face.  It was very brief, but, yes, it was definitely hurt.  She’s hurt that I find her irritating.  But I don’t.  Find her irritating, that is.  “Seven, you don’t irritate me. And I can’t explain it, but I’ve actually missed your presence down in Engineering over the last few weeks.” “Indeed,” mocked Seven, her voice heavily laced with disbelief. Have I really hurt her that much?, thought B’Elanna.  “Seven,” B’Elanna began softly, “I have a confession to make.  Before you found me several weeks ago in that Jeffries tube, bawling my eyes out because my marriage was over, I had never seen you as Human. And that’s my fault. I was a complete idiot.  You were so kind to me that day, listening as I rambled on about how I wasn’t upset that I was divorcing Tom, how I was just upset because I was a failure, how I couldn’t even make a marriage work-“ “You did not fail, Lieutenant,” interrupted Seven, continuing softly, “He was unworthy of you.  You require a strong mate and he would not, could not ever be that for you.”  She stopped when she realized what she was saying, her face coloring slightly in embarrassment. “See, that’s just what I mean.  I’ve been a complete ass to you the last three years, and you still manage to say the nicest things to me.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, you can be an incredibly annoying, stubborn, willful, but brilliant person at any given moment, but I never realized that you could be Human until that day in the Jeffries tube.  That day, I finally saw what I hadn’t seen in all the time I’ve known you.  I always respected you, but until that moment, I never knew I could like you.  Because I never gave you a chance.  I know it’s completely undeserving, but I’m asking now--if you could give me one.” Chapter 5 Though she knew her Borg-enhanced hearing was working perfectly, Seven could not comprehend what she had just heard.  “What, exactly, are you asking me for, Lieutenant?” “Well, for starters, you could call me B’Elanna.  For a follow-up, I was hoping we might be friends,” she tentatively requested. Seven was stunned.  All she could think was, not now, B’Elanna.  I am not ready.  I am damaged and must be repaired. To mask her disquiet, she responded with typical Borg bluntness, “I cannot comply.” “What?!  Oh, I mean, I guess,” stuttered the confounded Klingon, “I was hoping, well, never mind then.”  She began to turn away, shoulders slumped in defeat. “Lieut-B’Elanna, wait!” The sad Klingon paused and lifted her head, a look of hope on her face as she heard the Borg call her by her first name. “B’Elanna, I did not say ‘I will not comply.’  I said ‘I cannot comply,’ meaning I am unable to comply,” Seven continued wearily. Thoroughly confused, B’Elanna waited for Seven to elaborate.  Several moments later, B’Elanna began to think Seven wasn’t going to continue.  Then she heard a slight buzzing noise.  “What’s that?” she inquired. Knowing that it was her “Borgness” telling her she could not have any feelings or emotions and live, Seven retreated into herself.  Something not lost on the Chief Engineer. “What is it, Seven?  Let me help.” “You cannot.”  And in an obvious effort to change the subject, Seven asked, “What was the problem in Engineering, Lieutenant?” Noting that Seven had returned to calling her by her rank, Torres sadly explained about the feedback surge, the blown positronic circuits, and the damage to all the ships’ systems.  Had she not been so concerned with her friend’s behavior—yes, her friend, just because Seven didn’t call her one, didn’t mean she couldn’t call Seven one—she would have been highly amused at the absolutely horrified look on Seven’s face upon hearing of the actions taken by her “children” and the results of those actions. “Lieutenant Torres,” began Seven with resignation, “do you wish to yell at me now?” “What?  No, why would you think that?  I mean, I think their intentions were good, just misguided.  They said they wanted to help you and were just trying to find a way. Why do you need help, Seven?” Seven began to look uncomfortable.  So B’Elanna continued, “Does this have anything to do with you being unable to have a friend,” putting emphasis on the former Borg’s terminology.  “Seven, you need to talk about this.” Seven looked up and assumed her normal posture, shoulders back, hands clasped behind her back.  “I have already ‘talked about this’ with the Doctor and the Captain.” “Seven, your mom and your doctor don’t count.” “Excuse me?” “Come on, Seven. Janeway’s like a mother to you, and well, the Doctor is just a doctor,” retorted the pint-sized Klingon, gesturing wildly with her hands. “The Doctor considers himself a friend,” replied the Borg. B’Elanna ran her fingers through her hair and gently asked, “But is this an instance when he can be both?  Seven…I know something is wrong.  You can lean on me.  I’m pretty strong, you know,” she wryly pointed out. “Your strength is undeniable, B’Elanna, but that is not my objection.”  The Borg suddenly looked defeated. Seeing this, B’Elanna knew that she had to get Seven to open up to her.  Since when did Seven’s happiness begin to mean so much to her?  B’Elanna had the not unpleasant feeling that it was beginning to mean everything.  “Seven,” she began, “I know you prefer to stand, but could we sit down?  My back is killing me.” Seven looked up quickly, panic filling her eyes, “Are you damaged, B’Elanna?  Shall I call the Doctor?” “No, Seven.  I’m pregnant.  My back is supposed to hurt.  I think.  I’m not used to carrying around all this extra weight, is all.” “If you are sure,” replied the skeptical, but watchful former Borg. She moved with the Klingon over to a nearby table. B’Elanna began to sit down while chuckling softly. “Geez, Seven, I’m big as a Borg cube!” Seven lifted her eyebrow in typical fashion, stating, “No you are not.”  She paused before sitting down herself to come back softly with, “A sphere, perhaps, but not a cube.” B’Elanna burst out laughing. “Seven, did you just make a joke?”  Seven just lifted her implanted eyebrow again and sat down.  B’Elanna was quite simply---enchanted. Chapter 6 She’s beautiful, thought the Klingon.  How could I have missed this---all this time?  I’m an idiot.  Please, don’t screw this up, Torres!  Out loud she just said to Seven, “Start at the beginning and just let it out.  You’ll feel better.” Seven gave her that look of disbelief she was known for and replied, “Unlikely.  Why do you wish to have this conversation with me?” “Why not?” B’Elanna responded. “We do not ‘get along,’ I believe is the terminology.” Torres gave Seven a soft look most would never associate with the normally volatile and temperamental half-Klingon and gently said, “We’ve been doing okay lately.” B’Elanna was remembering the time Seven thought she was dying and hid out in Engineering.  She and Seven had a very pleasant conversation then.  It might have been the moment B’Elanna began to truly see Seven for who she was.  She also remembered the moment in the Jeffries tube.  Seven’s comforting words were really what allowed the engineer to put away her negative emotions surrounding her failed marriage.  Because Seven cared enough to encourage her, she was able to walk away from her divorce with a friend instead of an ex-husband.  Yes, they were definitely doing “okay” lately. The former Borg cocked her implant and replied, “Indeed.  Perhaps you are correct.” “So?  The kids seemed worried about you.  Now that I think about it, you have seemed kind of distracted lately.” Seven gave B’Elanna a look and stated flatly, “I do not become distracted, Lieutenant.” B’Elanna threw her hands in the air. “Seven, give it up.  I can tell something’s bothering you, and you’ve already admitted as much.  Spill it.” Looking vaguely confused, Seven questioned, “I have nothing to spill?” “It’s just an expression, Seven,” she retorted with a touch of affectionate exasperation. Seven shifted nervously in her chair.  “Lieu-B’Elanna, do you not need to help with the repairs?  I could assist you?” “No, Seven.  We are going to have this discussion.  Any engineer can change a circuit board.  It doesn’t take the Chief.  Talk.” So Seven began. She started at the beginning.  She told her new friend all about her holodeck experiments, why she did them, what she hoped to gain, how she felt.  She then told B’Elanna about feeling dizzy, having a headache, calling for the Doctor, passing out.  She told the half-Klingon what the Doctor discovered, how the Borg designed her cortical node to deactivate her higher brain functions anytime she began to experience feelings and emotions.  She told all of this to the Chief Engineer of the Federation Starship Voyager, her new friend. And her new friend suffered.  She suffered for Annika Hansen, who never deserved to live her life a slave to technology designed to take away who she was.  She suffered for Seven of Nine, who only wanted to find out who she was. She suffered for herself because she finally realized two things: one, Seven believed herself unable to have a friend because the cost was death, and, yet, she still made the effort, disregarding her health; and two, B’Elanna wanted Seven to want a relationship---with her. Seven finished her tale and looked across the table at B’Elanna, shocked to see tears tracking their way down the Klingon’s face.  She puzzled over the odd desire she had to reach over and brush the tears away.  Instead, she asked, “B’Elanna, what is wrong?” “Oh, Seven.  What isn’t wrong?  I need to ask you something, but before I do, I just want you to know I am going to do everything I can to come up with a solution.  That is, I mean, uh, only if you want me to.  If you’ll let me.” Seven just nodded, curious as to what had the Klingon so nervous all of a sudden. “Seven, are you interested in Chakotay?  I mean, your experiment on the holodeck.  Did you pick him because you, uh, want a, uh, romantic relationship with him?”  B’Elanna refused to look up at the ex-Borg, embarrassed at her need to ask such a question in the face of greater concerns such as Seven’s health.  B’Elanna still remembered the dream from which Vorik woke her, slightly more than 2 hours ago.  Seven had played a prominent part in it. But she was never going to divulge that piece of news. Seven, for her part, merely lifted her eyebrow.  “No, B’Elanna.  I do not wish to engage in a romantic relationship with Commander Chakotay.  I chose him for my experiment because he was safe.  I do not react to the Commander.  And, yes, I am aware that in choosing the Commander I was dooming my experiment to failure.  However, I was not willing to utilize the true object of my affection in such a backhanded fashion.  It seemed a touch ‘seedy,’ I believe is the term.” Torres sighed with relief until she realized just what the Borg had admitted.  “You mean you have one? An object of your affection?  There is someone you wish to have a romantic relationship with?” “Yes.”  That was it.  No evasions. And no elaboration. Torres was squirming in her chair. “Seven!  You can’t just leave me hanging!  Who is it?  Do I know him?  Or her?” Seven just stared at the Klingon.  She was hopelessly smitten and unable to do anything about it.  Suppressing these emotions had become so habitual, so necessary around B’Elanna that she did not know how to respond.  Yes, B’Elanna was eager to be friends, but Seven wanted, no needed, so much more than that from her Chief Engineer.  She new if she told B’Elanna how she truly felt about her, whether she reciprocated or rebuffed Seven’s affections, the emotional upheaval would kill her, literally. She was damaged and must be repaired.  So she settled for answering only the last question.  Staring as intently as she could at her love, she just said, “Yes.” B’Elanna could not understand all of what she saw pass over Seven’s features, but she knew Seven was struggling with her answer.  When it came, B’Elanna felt a tingling along her spine.  The look Seven was giving her was hinting at something that Seven seemed unwilling or unable to say.  But the look made her feel very warm inside.  She wanted very much to tell the beautiful blonde of her newly awakened feelings for her but knew that it wasn’t possible just yet. “Seven, I’m an engineer.  A damn good one.  If I studied the design specs on your cortical node, I might be able to come up with an alternate design, change some relays— “The Doctor has already looked into that, B’Elanna.” “Yeah, but he isn’t an engineer.  He’s looking at it from a medical standpoint. Seems to me as though it’s really an engineering flaw, a design flaw, if you will.” “B’Elanna, the relays, synapses, wires are all miniscule and woven in a most complex fashion.  I am unsure that a human could even see the relays, let alone alter their path and function.”  “Seven, we have to try.  I’m sure we could design something to magnify the node so I could see it, work on it.  Dammit!  I will not be defeated by some wires, no matter how complex the design!  I will not give up on you.  Neither should you!” “You are right, B’Elanna. We cannot give up.  Not now,” Seven sighed dejectedly. B’Elanna looked hard at Seven, realizing that Seven was still struggling with something. “What haven’t you told me, Seven?” Seven looked up at her heart’s desire and admitted to her deepest fears about the possible failure of any surgeries.  “B’Elanna, I do not want to fail at this.  I cannot fail at this.  My chil---the children need me to succeed.” “Of course they do, Seven.  And they are your children.  You would never let anything happen to them.  And even though you can’t show it right now, you love them.  I know you have to suppress those emotions, but they still exist.  They’re yours.” “Yes, but that is not why I cannot fail,” Seven ground out. “Icheb gave me his, so he will be able to embrace all of his humanity, but Azan, Rebi, and Mizoti all have cortical nodes.  Had they not come back to Voyager, I am unsure as to whether I would have pursued treatment to my own cortical node.  Now I must.  So that we may perfect a treatment for them,” she whispered. Watching her friend give this explanation, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place.  She watched Seven suppress the pain and fear she was feeling, but was unable to do the same for herself.  She just fell hat over boots in love with the beautiful blonde Borg, and Seven’s pain and fear became her own. “Seven,” whispered B’Elanna, waiting until blue eyes met brown, “I promise to find a solution.  I will do everything in my power to give you peace.  I will do everything I can to ensure that you have the family you want.  I will do everything in my power to be the best engineer I can be, so that we defeat the Borg in the biggest battle of all.  I will do everything I can to be the best friend you need.  I will do everything I can to help, be everything I can.  Everything.” One pale/silver, Borg-enhanced hand reached across the table to grasp one slender, olive-skinned hand in silent appreciation and acknowledgement of the most important promise either woman had either given or received.  Seven knew that Klingons always fulfilled their promises.  Honor demanded it. Leaning against the wall of the Jeffries tube, B’Elanna wiped tears from her eyes.  According to Vorik, the last circuit boards were installed, the repairs completed.  The Chief Engineer was exhausted.  Her mental exhaustion nearly as overwhelming as her physical exhaustion.  It took a lot out of a girl to finally realize that the love of her life was not the person she was married to for six months, but the person she had spent three years ignoring and avoiding.  Irony is a bitch, thought Torres, smirking to herself.  Torres left the Jeffries tube and headed to her quarters for some much needed sleep.  As she drifted off, her last conscious thought was of Seven.  She is now my world.  She is my Everything.  She is mine---she just doesn’t know it yet. Chapter 7 Captain Kathryn Janeway, commanding officer of the Federation Starship Voyager, leaned her forehead against the cool surface of the viewport.  It had been an eventful month, to say the least.  Every time she thought she had seen it all, life in the Delta Quadrant proved her wrong.  The latest events---the return of the Borg children, and, just prior to that, the discovery of a cortical “inhibitor” inherent in the Borg cortical nodes which prevented Seven and the three youngest Borg children to experience feelings and emotions---were some of the more tragic she had ever experienced.  Hearing the chime of her Ready Room door, Janeway summoned through whoever it was and in walked the primary source of her concern.  Seven of Nine stood before her captain and mentor and shyly stated, “Captain, I have a request.” “Certainly, Seven.  What can I do for you?”  If Janeway was surprised that Seven, who rarely asked for anything, was making a request, she did not let on. Besides, Seven’s behavior was clearly indicating a couple of things. First, the request was personal, or she would just have sent the request via a PADD.  Second, Seven was obviously uncomfortable making the request.  So the fact that she was standing in front of Janeway, preparing to make said request, was indicative of how strongly Seven felt about the matter.  Without even knowing what was on the ex-Borg’s mind, Janeway was prepared to offer whatever assistance she could.  Also, it was a well-known fact that the Captain had very maternal feelings where the former drone was concerned. “I would like for you to order Lieutenant Torres off duty and to return to her quarters so that she may rest,” requested Seven. Janeway was concerned and confused at this. “What?  Why?  I thought you two were getting along better these days?” “That is precisely the problem, Captain.  B’Elan-Lt. Torres is overextending herself, and it is unacceptable to me.” “Why is that unacceptable, Seven?  Lieutenant Torres is a big girl.  She can take care of herself.” “Captain, I believe B’Elanna is utilizing all of her supposed off duty time to study the cortical node.”  Seven was, by now, making no pretense that this request was anything other than personal.  “She is working so hard on finding a solution to my problem, that she is neglecting herself and her child.  That is what is unacceptable.” “I see,” replied Janeway with a soft look, “but why don’t you ask her yourself?” “Captain,” started Seven, with just the slightest touch of frustration in her voice, “I cannot have this conversation with B’Elanna.  It would cause irreparable damage to my cortical function.” “Meaning it’s too emotional a topic for you to deal with right now, given the current status of your health.” “Yes,” said Seven, with relief. “I’ll talk with her, Seven, but I really think she just wants to help,” came Janeway’s response. “I do not disagree, Captain.  That is why I believe only a direct order from you will get her to rest.” “Understood, Seven.” “Thank you, Captain,” said Seven, who promptly turned and left the room without waiting to be dismissed. At least that hasn’t changed, thought Janeway.  She had noticed the Klingon’s affection for the former Borg grow exponentially over the last week.  When she mentioned it to B’Elanna, the Klingon just gave a small smile and said, “I was an idiot.” Kathryn’s response had been, “And now you’re trying to change that?” “Yes, Captain.” “Good luck, Lt..  She’s certainly worth it.” “I know,” Torres had whispered. Leaving the Ready Room, Janeway called to Chakotay, “You have the Bridge, Commander.  I’ll be in the holodeck.” Commander Chakotay gave her a look that asked if everything was all right with his captain.  She never left her duty shift unless it was medically necessary. “It’s ship’s business, Commander.  No need to get excited,” was the Captain’s wry response to his unspoken question.  “Aye, Captain.”  She grinned at him as she stepped into the turbolift. “Deck 6,” she told the computer.  Janeway exited the turbolift and headed for Holodeck 1.  As she attempted to enter, the computer stated: “Holodeck 1 has engaged a privacy seal.” Thinking that B’Elanna just didn’t want anyone interrupting her work, Janeway ordered the computer, “Override, Janeway Delta-0-5-1-Theta.” “Privacy seal has been overridden.” Janeway entered the holodeck only to stop and stare at the sight before her in absolute disbelief.  Then her anger set in.  “Computer, end program!” she growled between clenched teeth.  “Lieutenant, just what the HELL do you think you are doing?” Chapter 8 Ripped away from the beating she had been taking-at the hands of a holographic Kazon thug-when Janeway ended the simulation, Lieutenant Rain Masters literally roared in frustration. Though surprised at the sound emanating from the severely beaten Lieutenant, the Captain, nevertheless, waited for an answer to her question.  “I’m waiting, Lieutenant,” Janeway’s voice sounding eerily similar to Voyager’s hull being ripped from it’s moorings. Rain could not believe what was happening to her.  Having to go through the Transcendence every two years was a very personal and vulnerable aspect of her existence.  But to have the Captain interrupt said event was unacceptable.  “Begging your pardon, ma’am, but what the HELL did you think you were doing?  There was a goddamn privacy seal on the door?!” Janeway was beyond furious now.  No one spoke to the Captain in that tone of voice without being flayed alive.  Janeway had no way of knowing that the individual speaking was not in control of her emotions.  Was, in fact, barely able to stand in the Captain’s presence without pouncing on her.  “Lt., you have exactly ten minutes to report to my Ready Room at which time you WILL give me an explanation!  Is that understood?” “Yes, Captain!  But may I make a suggestion?  You better have the Doctor report there, as well,” replied Rain angrily, body shaking with nearly uncontrollable rage and desire. “Are you threatening me, Lieutenant?  Should we have this discussion in the Brig?” “Jesus, Captain!  The Doctor is for me!”  Rain was dismayed that the Captain would think Rain capable of harming her.  If she only knew, thought Rain. The Captain hesitated, then stated, “Ten minutes, Lieutenant,” and left the room. Rain waited until the doors to the holodeck closed, then addressed the computer, “Computer, load program Masters Transcendence Omicron 4, set time to end program in eight minutes.  Begin program.”  Rain sighed and resigned herself to a more rigorous beating, hoping that speeding up the process would help her get through the upcoming meeting with the Captain.  She hoped the Captain would figure it out soon, because, after seven years, Rain was getting damned tired of waiting. Janeway stalked over to Holodeck 2, cursing herself for not asking the computer beforehand which holodeck Lieutenant Torres was using.  Though she was glad that the self-destructive behavior she had just witnessed was brought to her attention, she felt very uncomfortable at how it had come about.  She was also aware that seeing the attractive and well-toned body of her second in command of Security, being beaten so harshly, made her slightly ill.  She paused before the doors to allow time for her implacable command mask to fall over her features, and then entered.  Lieutenant Torres was hunched over a table piled high with circuit boards, wires, power couplings, and various Borg paraphernalia.  The Chief Engineer looked up at the sound of the doors opening. “Captain, what can I do for you?” “Lieutenant, I’m here as a favor for a friend.  But if I don’t get the response I want, I’ll have to resort to being ‘Captain,’” Janeway said, with a small smile. Torres was confused but smiled back, waiting for the Captain to continue. “It’s been brought to my attention, B’Elanna, that you’ve been overextending yourself lately.  You need to rest.” “Captain, really-“ began Torres, only to be cut off by her superior. “B’Elanna, you’re worrying Seven.”  At that, the engineer stopped and stared at Janeway.  The Captain continued, “You know she can’t tell you that herself.  Her cortical node couldn’t take the emotional strain, right now.  But she came to see me and asked if I could order you off duty.  I don’t want you to do it for me, B’Elanna.  But your drone is beside herself with worry.  It’s obvious to me that you are both in love.  It’s equally obvious that you can’t tell one another until Seven is healthy, but you both still feel.  Seven just has to suppress her feelings.  And, in a way, so do you, so that you don’t force her emotions to the surface.  I know it’s hard.  I know you want to help, but working so hard without regard to your own health is hurting you both.  Go off duty, go see Seven, get something to eat, get some sleep.  No engineering work or working on the cortical node for at least 48 hours.  Understood?” “Yes, Captain.  I didn’t know I was hurting her.  I don’t ever want to hurt her,” she whispered. “I know, B’Elanna.  Just go see her.”  Janeway left the engineer, trusting that her wishes would be carried out, and headed for the Bridge.  Though she couldn’t explain it, she just knew that the upcoming conversation with Lieutenant Masters was one she really was not prepared for. Chapter 9 Janeway entered her Ready Room and settled behind her desk.  She wanted the appearance of control, even if she didn’t have it.  And she had a feeling that where Lieutenant Rain Masters was concerned, control would not be a one-sided thing.  She was about to summon Masters over the comm. when the chime to the Ready Room sounded.  “Come,” she barked. The lieutenant stalked in, still visibly trembling, even more beaten and bruised than when Janeway had left her ten minutes ago.  The Captain was incensed. In a deadly tone, accompanied by that ever-ready force 10 glare, Janeway inquired, silkily, “Did you continue that program after I left, Lieutenant?” “Not exactly,” Masters bit out, barely managing to harness her responses. “Then what exactly have you BEEN DOING THE LAST TEN MINUTES!” shouted Janeway. “Running a program three steps harder than the one you saw!” shouted back Masters. Janeway was in shock.  Disbelief etched her fine features.  She had never encountered such blatant insubordination before.  Not even from B’Elanna when she first came aboard, or Seven for that matter.  More than furious, she wanted to know what the lieutenant thought she was doing.  “Are you in the habit of going against the wishes of your superior officers?” Now it was Masters’ turn with disbelief.  “You’ve seen my service record, Captain.  Judge that for yourself.” Needing something more, Janeway demanded, “You had better start explaining yourself, Lieutenant, because I am this close to relieving you of duty and tossing you in the Brig!” It was too much.  Masters let out a low, rolling, and very intense growl.  Her muscles stood out in stark relief, visibly taut, the effort to control her innate needs taking all of her concentration.  At this point, all she wanted to do was pounce on the Captain and take her on the desk.  She was about to call for the Doctor, when Janeway took care of it for her. The Captain looked at Masters with concern, her anger abruptly replaced by the sight before her.  The lieutenant looked distraught.  She came to the realization that the lieutenant was not behaving normally.  Janeway tapped her comm. badge, “Janeway to sickbay.” “Doctor here.  What can I do for you, Captain?” “I need you in my Ready Room immediately, Doctor.  It’s Lieutenant Masters.” With a touch of dismay he asked, “What’s she doing off the holodeck?  In her condition, Captain, she really can’t be in your Ready Room.”  The Doctor was privileged to certain information regarding the lieutenant’s health and was uncomfortably and completely aware of the impact the Captain’s presence was having upon Lt. Masters. “What condition, Doctor?”  Then Janeway waved that off, stating, “Well, she is in my Ready Room.  Just get here quickly. Janeway out.” The EMH materialized within seconds of the ended transmission and hurried to Masters’ side.  Seeing the nearly unleashed state she was in, he quickly took a hypospray out of his medikit and injected a compound into her neck.  After a few tense moments her violent trembling subsided somewhat. Both were very aware of how temporary a fix that was. Masters asked quietly, “How long will that give me, Doc?” The EMH did not take long to begin the diatribe he had been planning since the second Janeway called.  “About 30 minutes, maximum.  What were you thinking?”  he hissed.  “You know you can’t be off the holodeck during this time.  And you especially know whose presence your body can and cannot tolerate, physically, during this same period.” The Captain, who had been standing off to the side during all of this, thought this was a good time to break in.  “It’s my fault, Doctor.  I summoned Lieutenant Masters.  I was unaware of her illness.” Seeing the Doctor about to speak, Masters interrupted shakily, “Doc, I’ll get right back to the holodeck.  I just need to take care of a few things here, first.  You can check up on me in an hour,” silently telling him that she would handle the situation with Janeway.  It was, after all, long overdue. The EMH huffed and sighed, which was silly, really, given that he was a hologram and had no need to breathe.  Somewhat indignantly, he replied, “Very well, Lt., I’ll see you in one hour---on the holodeck.”  As he stressed the last word, he disappeared in a shower of shimmering blue sparkles. Janeway looked confused at what just transpired and asked, “Why didn’t he heal your injuries?” Masters gave the Captain a surprised look and stated, “He can’t heal my injuries.” Janeway was, by now, completely lost, and that made her angry.  She hated being kept in the dark.  “What do you mean, Lt.?  What’s causing this?  And don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten about that holoprogram you were running!” Rain, still barely in control, growled, “And don’t think I’ve forgotten that you violated Starfleet protocols regarding medically sanctioned privacy seals when you overrode that lockout!” “You’re out of line, Lieutenant!  I wasn’t aware the seal was medically sanctioned.  And I find it hard to believe that the Doctor would approve of the program I saw running in that holodeck!” “You didn’t know?  You didn’t look!  Do you get so many Level 10, Captain’s Eyes Only files that you can so easily forget one?  And the Doctor helped me design that program!” Janeway took a deep breath and responded, “What Level 10 file are you talking about?  And how would you know the contents of such a file?  Last time I checked, you weren’t the Captain!” “I WROTE THE FILE!” shouted Masters. Seeing Masters returning to her earlier levels of distress, Janeway changed her tone.  She softly asked, “What are you talking about, Lieutenant?” At that moment, many things became very clear to Rain.  Among them, she realized that the Captain had never read her personnel file. Chapter 10 Rain was stunned.  How is it possible that she’s never read my file? Rain thought.  So she asked.  “Captain, how is it that you’ve never read my personnel file?” Kathryn Janeway really needed to sit down.  This day was not turning out how she expected.  But, then again, they so rarely do.  Now she was getting a migraine.  Walking to the replicator, she got herself a strong cup of coffee, and then asked if Rain wanted anything.  After handing the lieutenant a glass of water, she sat down behind her desk.  She took a fortifying gulp of her coffee and leveled her gaze on Masters. “Lieutenant, are you aware of why I requested you be assigned to Voyager?  No?  Well, I’ll tell you.  Lt. Commander Tuvok recommended you.  Lt., I feel I must tell you that in all the time I’ve known him, Tuvok has never recommended personnel to me.  When Tuvok requested that I consider you as his second-in-command, I didn’t hesitate.  I didn’t need to.  His approval was all the recommendation I needed.  He wouldn’t have considered you if you hadn’t been more than qualified for the position.  I didn’t read your file because Tuvok’s assessment of you was all that I required.  I can see now that I’ve overlooked something.  Care to share it with me?” Rain listened to Janeway and felt a warmth sweep through her.  She knew Tuvok respected her, but she was surprised that he found her remarkable.  Tuvok, of course, knew everything about Rain.  He had to.  He was her immediate superior and her friend.  He was also a paternal figure to her.  So he knew about the Transcendence, her unique physiology, the restrictions it entailed.  It explained the look she received from him as she crossed the Bridge earlier.  He was probably wondering why she wasn’t on the holodeck.  “Captain, perhaps you should read the file, first.  Then we could discuss it.”  Rain did not want to get into this now.  She could feel the hypospray wearing off and knew she needed to get out of Janeway’s presence. “Summarize it for me, Lieutenant.”  The Captain was, by now, very curious about the file.  She would definitely read it later, but needed a few things cleared up right now. “Captain, I’m Energetic.” “I saw that on the holodeck, Lt.. What has that got to do with anything?” “No, Captain.  Not energetic.  I’m Energetic, with a capital ‘E.’” “Energetic?  Do you mean--?”  she trailed off.  Her face reflected her surprise.  “I thought they were the stuff of myths and fairy tales.” “Obviously not, Captain.  Here I am.” “But you appear Human.” “But I’m not.  We appear that way on purpose.  We are an endangered species, Captain.  You know that.  That’s why Starfleet has laws designed to protect our privacy.  It’s why only three people on board know who I really am.  Well, I thought it was three.  Guess you didn’t know.  Well, now you do, along with Tuvok and the Doctor.”  Seeing the consternation and bewilderment on her captain’s face, Rain asked, “Captain, what do you know about Energetics?” “Well, I guess what everyone’s heard at one time or another.  You’re immortal, impervious to injury—“  She was cut off by a bark of laughter from Masters. “I’m sorry, Captain,” laughed Rain, “but, well, you can see that’s not true!” pointing to her current physical state. Janeway gave Masters a wry grin, “Yes, well, it seems I don’t know much at all about Energetics.  I just thought they, you were mythical creatures.  Care to elaborate?” Rain was in agony.  She had waited for seven years to have this conversation, and the Captain had to choose the Transcendence as the time to have it.  The irony did not escape her notice.  The hypospray had completely worn off and Rain was a mass of seething desire.  She needed to leave.  Now.  “Captain,” she gasped, struggling to control her emotions, “I need to leave.  Now.  If I don’t get to the holodeck within the next five minutes, I will lose what little control I am currently maintaining.  Can we, please, have this discussion later?  Say, in two days?”  Her violent shaking had returned. Janeway was alarmed at how quickly Rain’s demeanor had changed over the last half hour, from violent to resigned to skeptical, back to violent.  “Lieutenant, this discussion is by no means finished.  But I can see you are in no shape to continue.  If the Doctor thinks you should be on the holodeck, I won’t interfere.  But I do want to know why you have to run those programs.  Report to me when you’ve returned to duty.”  Janeway waited for Masters to acknowledge the command and called, “Computer, initiate site to site transport.  One to beam to Holodeck 1.”  She watched the lieutenant disappear and then let her head collapse on the desk.  Though she was at a loss at how to explain it, Rain Masters pulled at her.  She definitely fascinated the Captain.  Energetic?, thought Janeway.  Unbelievable.  She turned to her console to access whatever the database had on Energetics.  She had a feeling the information would be sparse and inaccurate, but she needed to start somewhere.  But first, she had a personnel file to read… B’Elanna approached Cargo Bay 2 with determined steps.  She did exactly as Captain Janeway had asked.  She left the holodeck and went in search of Seven.  Why do I always have such trouble tracking her down? B’Elanna chuckled to herself.  Entering the Cargo Bay, she called out, “Seven?” Icheb looked up from the console he was working at and replied, “Lieutenant, Seven of Nine is regenerating on a short cycle.  She seemed stressed but thought a brief period of regeneration would return her to acceptable parameters.” B’Elanna looked stricken.  She now had an idea why Seven would be “stressed.”  She took a closer look at Icheb and noticed that he, too, appeared stressed.  “You okay, kiddo?” “I am functioning within acceptable parameters, Lieutenant.”  Icheb would not meet her gaze. B’Elanna walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.  “Want to talk about it?” Icheb took a long look at B’Elanna and said, “Seven of Nine trusts you.”  B’Elanna just nodded at him, and he continued, “I am feeling what I believe to be ‘anxiety,’ and I do not know the correct course of action to remedy such a problem.” B’Elanna took his hand and led him over to sit on the dais where the alcoves were located.  Without releasing his hand, she turned and said, “Icheb, you don’t have an inhibitor.  Feelings won’t kill you.  They may not always be pleasant, sweetie, but they won’t kill you.  You need to let them out.  You have every right to be afraid for Seven and your siblings.”  Icheb gave her a sharp look at that.  B’Elanna continued, “Don’t try to deny it. You guys are a family.  And your family is hurting.  I’m scared, too, Icheb, but I’m here to help,” she whispered.  Icheb’s shoulders began to shake as tears rolled down his face.  “Oh, sweetie, come here,” whispered B’Elanna, pulling Icheb into a hug.  She kept whispering nonsensical words of reassurance and love, rubbing her hands over his shoulders.  As quickly as it began, it was over.  Icheb sat back and stared at B’Elanna in surprise.  “Lieutenant, what was that?” B’Elanna chuckled.  She reached up to wipe the remaining tears from his face and said, “That was the first time you’ve cried, Icheb.  Now, tell the truth.  Don’t you feel a little better?” He raised his eyebrow in perfect imitation of his “mother” and replied, “Yes, but I am still afraid.  Lt., why are you crying?” B’Elanna swiped away the evidence of her own tears and said, “Because I’m scared, too.  And I care about Seven.  And I care about you kids.  But I’m getting closer to figuring out the relays and pathways in the node.  I’ve narrowed down the emotion relays.  It’s only a matter of time before I fix this, kiddo.  Trust me.” “I do, Lieutenant.  Thank you.  I will now go to the Mess Hall to meet Azan, Rebi, and Mizoti.  It is time for our nutritional supplement.  Would you care to join us?” “That’s okay, Icheb.  I think I’ll wait for Seven to wake up, so I can talk her into joining me for a nutritional supplement,” responded the Klingon, with a twinkle in her eye. “Do you mean to ask her for a date?” asked Icheb. “Yeah, I guess. Do you mind?” B’Elanna looked at him closely. “No,” he replied with an incredibly pleased expression on his face.  He turned and left the Cargo Bay. B’Elanna scooted back on the deck until she rested up against Seven.  She really was exhausted.  Well, Janeway and Seven want me to rest.  No time like the present, she thought, closing her eyes. To be continued...