Chapter 7

Earlier that morning in B'Elanna's quarters.

The Klingon was slow waking up, which was unusual for her. Normally she would wake up and be out of the bed within a minute, yet now it had taken her more than 10 minutes to get from the blissful stage of half-sleep to being awake enough to consciously open her eyes, which she had yet to do.

Damn, I haven't slept like this for years. She thought while she buried her face a little more into the softness it was resting against. Suddenly her eyes flew open as she realized exactly what that softness was and who she was using as a mattress. The events of the previous night came flooding back in. I'm sleeping on top of Seven. I am engaged to Seven. I am sleeping on my fiancée. A smile started to spread across her face. A smile that quickly disappeared when she suddenly set up straight because she knew for sure that this incredible thing had to be a dream.

"You are not dreaming, B'Elanna." Seven said reassuring.

"How..?"

"How did I know that you thought last night was a dream? Because I thought the same thing when I woke up. I awakend with you in my arms, just as I have dreamed. With your head resting on my..." A smirk that showed that Seven had noticed all too well how B'Elanna had buried her face into the softness she had found. "...chest, just under my chin."

"Really? Me too. Well, I mean that I've dreamt of being held in this position, not that I've dreamt of holding myself in this position of course, because, well..." B'Elanna stammered.

"Kyamo (beautiful one), do not worry, I understand what you mean. In fact, it is quite logical for us to have similar dreams. Just as it is logical for me to want to hold the woman I love in my arms and it is logical for you to want to be held by me. Kyamo, please do not attempt to raise one eyebrow like I do, you look like you might strain a muscle and I do not wish to see the doctor today. Rather, let me explain. I have done extensive research on the bonding of Klingons and humans and have come across several references that state that strong Klingon warriors who fight in many battles wish to be held, and feel protected, by their mates when not fighting. And it also stated that this behavior usually starts with the warrior wanting to be held while sleeping. Only later when the proud warrior realizes that this is nothing to be ashamed of do they start admitting this openly. And we have certainly encountered enough battles lately to prompt that behavior in you."

"Hmm, leave it to you to bring logic into a conversation about dreams, bring the doctor up in that same conversation, then bring up Klingon behavior, and actually know all the stuff you say in that conversation thanks to research. Tell me, have I told you already how much I adore your little quirks? Don't answer that and consider yourself told."

"I am merely stating what I know based upon the research I have done. The simple answer would be that we simply had two dreams that fit together perfectly... Just as we do."

B'Elanna closed her eyes for a moment when she heard those four last words. She would have never thought it possible to feel like that. That the simple feeling of two arms around her could change everything, make everything else secondary. Oh, she knew that she would give her life for crew and ship. Or that she would leave those arms at the very second a red alert would sound. Or that she would spend days on end in Engineering if that was required.

But still, none of it mattered as much anymore as it did only twelve hours earlier. Because now she knew what her last thought would be if she had to give her life for crew and ship, what image she would see before her eyes when she gave her last breath. Or that the only reason she would leave those arms was because she knew that those same arms would be waiting for her when the crisis was over. And working in Engineering for days on end? Ha! So what. Seven would be by her side and that's what counted.

Since B'Elanna really didn't know how to word the feelings she had, the Klingon half of her decided to ask the relatively neutral, "In that case, how did you sleep?"

They looked at each other and smiled. They both knew what Seven's answer to that would normally have been. So Seven decided not to use her obvious 'I closed my eyes and...' answer, but instead replied, "I do not know for certain but I believe that my answer to that would be... good."

"Why don't you know for certain?" B'Elanna asked while she lowered her head again. The heck with modesty. It felt simply right to be held like that and what was wrong with resting your head on the chest of your fiancée anyhow?

"Because I do not have any reference points. This was actually the first time I slept."

"What?" B'Elanna asked surprise and once again sat up a bit so that she could look into Seven's eyes.

Seven understood the predicament that B'Elanna was dealing with. Either be held in a very comfortable embrace or be able to look Seven in the eyes. So the Borg accommodated her fiancée by also shifting position. She sat up and pulled B'Elanna against her. This way, if she wanted, B'Elanna only had to look up to see the Borg's eyes.

"Yes. While the doctor did encouraged me to sleep, all my attempts at doing so failed. After I had tried for eight consecutive nights to sleep, the doctor agreed that I was not ready yet and said that I should just rely on regenerating for now. However he did encourage me to try to sleep whenever I felt the need to."

"But if you haven't slept before then how could you have dreamt of holding me in your arms?"

"Because I also dream when I regenerate."

"What? I didn't know that. Why didn't you tell somebody? We always assumed that you are totally unconscious while you regenerated."

"Kyamo." Seven said tenderly. "The first dream I ever had was about you sealing one of our arguments by kissing me. The second dream I had was about you tenderly trailing your fingers across the exoskeleton of my hand while you were reprimanding me about how and how not to use that hand. The third dream was ab... about something else. Why would I tell anybody about that? What is wrong with dreaming of the person you love?"

"You're right. There is nothing wrong with me dreaming about you." B'Elanna agreed, deliberately changing the words. "But I would still like to know how it is possible that you can suddenly dream. I was present when you once told the doctor that you actually didn't dream. Remember? So when did this change? And don't you go telling me that this has something to do with you becoming more human. This is mechanics. I could understand that some things changed if some of your implants had been removed but that hasn't happened. So how the hell can you suddenly dream?"

"I started having dreams after we found and removed the virus in the Borg alcove." The Borg could feel B'Elanna stiffen when she said this. "I checked the entire alcove after I had my first dream and found that the virus had changed the programming of the alcove slightly just before we removed it. I no longer only stay in the second stage of sleep, which is a semi-conscious state. Since the virus changed the programming of the alcove I am now occasionally allowed to reach R.E.M. sleep. Not as often as is normal for a human, but often enough to have at least one dream each time I regenerate. This is something the original programming of the alcove prevented entirely from occurring. And something that is also different from normal human beings is that I can remember each dream I had. Humans only remember the last dream they have before waking up. But if I have two or even three dreams I still remember all of them."

"So, for once, something good actually came from one of those viruses. But still, that is months ago. You should have told me," the Klingon accused.

Normally the tone AND the words that B'Elanna had spoken would have been enough to either annoy the blonde, or put her completely on the defensive. But Seven knew that B'Elanna was only concerned for her and that knowledge made all the difference. Because now that accusation actually felt good to the Borg. A fact that her logic-driven mind could not understand at all but knew that it simply had to accept. So Seven explained with a voice filled with understanding.

"I tested the alcove extensively and there was, and is, no danger. Kyamo, now that I could finally dream, dream of you, I did not want to lose those dreams again. That is why I did not tell anybody."

"Okay." B'Elanna relented. "I can accept that, I... I would have probably done the same thing. But I insist, and there are no compromises on this subject, that I will check out that alcove before the next time you regenerate. I promise I won't change anything as long as it isn't dangerous." The small nod that Seven gave B'Elanna was all the confirmation by Klingon needed. So to keep the conversation light she then smoothly changed the subject. "So you were basically telling me that I put you to sleep?" B'Elanna's smile made it clear that she was trying to lighten the mood.

"I would rather say that you were the one thing that was missing in my life to make it comfortable and complete enough for me to sleep but if you wish to phrase it that way..."

"Damn, Seven, you know how to make a girl feel good. That was beautiful."

"It was the truth."

"That you actually mean it is what makes it so beautiful."

Seven's answer to that was to tenderly start kissing B'Elanna, which they continued doing for several minutes.

"Wow, now that is a way to start the morning. Morning?" B'Elanna then interrupted herself, realizing that she was too rested for the four hours of sleep that she could have had ad at the most. "Computer, what time is it?"

<The time is zero nine hours and three minutes.>

"Oh, damn." B'Elanna groaned. "I forgot to set the alarm. No wonder I'm so rested. It is not often that I actually get eight hours of sleep. Well, we most obviously overslept."

"No we did not. This may have been the first time I slept but I only slept for three hours and forty minutes, which was more than enough for me. I then told the computer to disable the alarm and send a message to the Captain informing her that we would start later today because we worked so long yesterday and it would be more efficient to grant you an acceptable amount of time to sleep."

"You did that while I was sleeping right on top of you? I really must have been tired. I assume the captain agreed?"

"Of course, I would have woken you if she had not."

"Of course. Ask a stupid question..." B'Elanna mumbled. Then she realized something else and this time let go of Seven entirely. "Oh, Kahless, that means that you were awake for more than four hours with me lying on top of you."

"Do not distress, B'Elanna, I used the time most efficiently."

"Yeah, I guess that photographic memory of yours does come in handy sometimes. So what did you think about?"

Seven smiled in a way that the Klingon would best describe as patiently tolerant. "I used that 'photographic memory of mine' to remember everything I observed in those four hours of watching you sleep. The comforting feel of your weight on top of me. The rhythm of your breathing. The warmth of your body against mine from toe to... chin. The smell of your hair. The smell of your body, which is almost the same as that of a normal human but thanks to its Klingon Heritage it smells... spicier, more full of life. The way your left hand unconsciously traced the offshoots of my abdominal implants on my side. The way you mumble very softly in Klingon, which I find absolutely adorable and... cute. The way..." The Borg stopped when she saw tears rolling down the Klingon's face. "I hurt you." She said, distressed.

"No you didn't, you stupid Borg. You made me feel so good inside that all I could do was cry."

"Klingons do not cry."

"Yeah, well, Klingon/human hybrids do. But don't tell anybody. Janeway is the only other person who knows this. Rather, tell me what I said in my sleep. Tom has told me that I sometimes mumble in my sleep but he couldn't understand what I said."

"Which most probably is a good thing. It took my enhanced hearing, which Tom does not have, and my knowledge of the Klingon language, which Tom also does not have, to clearly understand what you said. And I really do not think that he would have liked to hear you talk about what you are planning to do to me when you finally get into that 'damn biosuit'."

"Oh, Kahless in a freezer. You heard that? You know what I want to..."

"Yes I heard. And, Kyamo, I am looking forward to it."

"But, Seven, some of that is quite... rough." B'Elanna seriously said, wanting to clear that up before they were ever in a situation where talking about it was the last thing on their minds.

"Some of it was. But you are forgetting that I listened to you for more than four hours. And while you were not talking for the entire time, I did also hear you speak about things that are slow and tender. You have pretty much covered your entire spectrum. Even up to the use of certain attributes you were willing to use if I wanted something else." Seven made sure that B'Elanna was looking her into the eyes before she added, "And let me assure you, Klingon, nothing of what I heard was too rough for me. Are we finally clear on that, SuvwI' (warrior)?"

" Hija' " (yes), the Klingon said after a moment of hesitation. But then started to explain exactly why she was so hesitant. "Seven, sometimes, experience counts more than knowledge. You may research all you want about this but until you actually experience it, you never know for sure whether or not you really like it. For instance, what is so hard about not touching your partner when your partner has ordered you not to do so? That is really incredibly easy, isn't it? You simply don't touch your partner right?"

"That is correct."

B'Elanna took hold of Seven's hand, which was continuously trailing along the Klingon's arm without the Borg realising that she was doing so.

"You see, love." B'Elanna quickly placed a kiss on the hand. "That is precisely what I mean. You have researched this and to you this simple command sounds so easy, oh, so very easy. But I have actually experienced it. And believe me, those kinds of commands are the hardest to follow. To actually NOT use your hands. To keep your eyes closed, or actually keep your eyes open.
Love, the point that I'm making is that until you have actually experienced it, you don't know for sure. And one thing I can guarantee you is that the first time you actually experience it, your reaction will be 'all of my research could never have prepared me for this'."

"Kyamo, I believe that you are misunderstanding me." Seven countered. "I do not assume that I know everything there is to know about this. I actually know that I will most probably forget all of my research at the very moment this will happen. And honestly, I HOPE that I will forget all my research. Because at that moment I want to truly give myself to you and not think about whether or not what I am experiencing is the same as what my research has suggested.
But until that very moment, I only have my research and the current knowledge of my body. So until I actually experience this I will talk about what I know. My research and my body. And, Kyamo, my research has told me what I can expect as far as physical pain and pleasure is concerned. My knowledge of my body tells me that I can easily take the POTENTIALLY physical pain and my body is already hoping for the pleasure. So when I am talking about wanting something I can only talk based upon my research. And I look forward to you teaching me the practical side of my theoretical knowledge."

"In that case, continue convincing me. Because I have to admit that the SuvwI' (warrior) in me still needs more convincing if you really want her to not hold back when the situation occurs."

"Very well." The Borg agreed. "But first let me thank you for saying honestly that you need more convincing. No matter what else ever may happen, we should always be honest with each other, always have an honest relationship."

"Always. I promise you that, Annika. No lying about feelings. No saying that one is all right when one really isn't. Our love will be the foundation our relationship is built on; honesty will be the glue that holds the foundation together. We will never, ever have to doubt each other because we will always talk openly with each other. Only that way will our love always exist without the tarnish of a stain upon it."

"And you say that I have a way with words. Yes Kyamo, honesty will be the only rule in our relationship. The rest will be agreements and..." A smile. "...compromises. Because I know we will never agree on everything."

"Deal. But because I know how precise you can be with words, my beautiful Borg, let me make clear that I will sometimes answer evasively or lie to you. But never on anything even remotely important. For instance, if you ask me if I have a present for your birthday then I might say no and thereby lie about that. But I will not say that I like a certain food if I really don't only because I think I should be nice to you."

"Very well, I can agree to that. But for the rest, honesty."

"Honesty." B'Elanna repeated. She knew that the marriage with Tom had been doomed to failure from the beginning. But what had made it even more difficult were the small lies one told to not hurt the feelings of the other. B'Elanna swore on her Klingon honor that this was not going to happen in this relationship. There would be no secrets. Well, okay, the only secret she was ever going to keep from Seven was whether or not she had a present for her birthday. But that was it. "Anyway, you still have to convince the warrior. So start convincing."

The Borg answered the Klingon's grin with a smile of her own before starting to explain. "As I told you, I have done extensive research about this. As a matter-of-fact, I have researched all there was to find about Klingons in the Federation database. So I know that all that talk about bloodshed and breaking of bones during copulation is only a myth. Yes, Klingons can be rough and because of this, accidents do sometimes happen. So, yes, occasionally there are broken bones and blood but this is not intentional. They are nothing more than accidents. All those myths come from the few times that very violent Klingons copulated with women or men who thought that they could handle it. But statistics show that there are actually fewer injuries with Klingon copulating or Klingon/human copulating then they are between humans who decide that they want to try 'the rough stuff' once."

"The rough stuff, huh?" B'Elanna interrupted. "Have I told you how much I love hearing phrases like that coming from your lips?"

"No, you did not. However, I will consider myself told once again. Now, as I was about to say. You will notice that until now I have not spoken about the fact that my body is much stronger and resilient then a standard human body because of my Borg enhancements. However, I have avoided that topic deliberately. Because even without them I am sure that I could handle everything you have to offer. But if you still are afraid of that then remember that I AM Borg. I AM capable of denting duranium, I AM cable of overpowering everybody on board this ship, including you. I have nanoprobes in my blood that are capable of healing injuries a normal human being would die from."

"Yes, but..."

This time Seven silenced B'Elanna by softly putting two fingers against her mouth. "The biggest problem about this alleged roughness of Klingons is that this belief is so widespread that even young Klingons believe it until they have their first copulation and realize that it is not so. Kyamo, I think that the biggest problem with this specifically is that you simply had the wrong partners up till now. I like Tom and he is my friend, but he is not suitable for you. There is a huge difference between being rough and being... temperamental. You need somebody who can keep up with you. Somebody who actually wants more and is not just going along with you because you like doing it. And I truly believe that I am that person. So stop being afraid that I might change my mind when I actually fully experience that Klingon heritage of yours." Seven could still see a trace of reluctance in B'Elanna's eyes so she tried a different approach. An approach that she knew only too well. Logic. "Very well, tell me, B'Elanna. Every time you copulate, is it always rough?"

"No. Usually it isn't. Most often it isn't. But, Annika, the occasional time, every month or two, I always had to restrain myself because it was more than Tom could handle."

"You are now specifically referring to Annika to indicate that my human side could have troubles with this, correct?" But before the Klingon could answer, Seven continued. "Well then let me tell you one of Annika's secrets, Klingon. Annika usually dreams about tender, but once in a while she dreams about submitting to the Klingon. Do not assume that Annika would not be welcoming and even relish such treatment once every couple of weeks."

"You would?" The Klingon asked surprised.

"Yes, I believe I would. Why do you find that so hard to believe?"

"Well... I don't know really. It's just that, I, well, I guess, you see... As you know, I worked on the data we recovered from the 'Raven'. I have actually seen the little innocent six-year-old Annika. And I somehow find it hard to compare that to the woman who just assured me that she would like to see some of that Klingon Heritage of mine."

Seven softly tapped B'Elanna against her forehead, against the Klingon ridges there. "No, Kyamo, not some of that Klingon Heritage but THAT Klingon Heritage. Not some. Is that finally getting through that thick head of yours?"

The Borg's approach was successful because B'Elanna couldn't help but grin at that. "It is slowly starting to get through. Please be patient with me. All my life I have needed to play that down, to control that part of me. I have to get used to suddenly having somebody truly accepting it. No, not just accepting but actually wanting it. And you know what the funny part is? As much as I am talking about it, you are absolutely right. It is only occasionally. It is more like some sort of battle lust. In certain circumstances, I truly want to be that dominant Klingon. But much more often than that, it is actually my Klingon half keeping my impatient human half in check. Showing the human the fun of a slow, patient, drawn out love session."

"I am glad that you are finally beginning to see what I already know..."

"From research only." B'Elanna interrupted and reminded.

"Kyamo, believe me, I may not have put my research into practice yet but I know more about this than any Klingon ever did before they started copulating. The only thing that is missing is that I actually experience it. And I also want to comment on something else you just said. You may have seen an innocent little six-year-old Annika in that data, but now I am a grown woman with a twenty-seven year old body. Only three years younger than yours. Lanna, I may call my human side 'Annika' but I am not that little girl anymore. She does not exist anymore. The Borg killed her and there is no way of getting her back. My body has the impulses of a twenty-seven year old. And it wants things that it could even easily handle without the Borg enhancements.

"It is just because humans, even half humans like you or me, always fall back on what they know to guide them in their life that I sometimes seem inexperienced or, as you call it, 'innocent'. However, Kyamo, I have already spent three years with you and your personality. I do have experience with that. So, I think I know what I am getting myself into. I know that I love everything about you. And your Klingon Heritage is a very big part of why I love you. I love that temperament of yours and I hope that we will never stop fighting. Because I like the fights we have. I like that Klingon straightforwardness you have. And I especially like when you actually use that straightforwardness instead of having your doubts cloud your mind. I love the way..."

"So you like that straightforwardness, huh?" B'Elanna interrupted because Seven's speech had given her the courage to ask something very important. "In that case, let me ask you this very straightforward. Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix Zero One, Annika Hansen, will you move in with me?"

Surprised, Seven took a deep breath. Even though she had expected that B'Elanna would ask her this question soon, hhe had not expected to hear the question SO soon. She had expected that it would take B'Elanna at least a couple of days to get used to the idea of living together with somebody again. However there was no doubt in Seven's mind about what her answer was going to be.

But before the Borg could answer, B'Elanna took the deep breath as a wrong sign and quickly stood up and started pacing the room. She wanted Seven in her life as much as possible so she immediately started with explaining why moving in would be a good idea. Not even for a moment looking at Seven. If she had done so, the smile would have told her what the answer was.

"I mean, I know that according to Klingon tradition we could go on living separately for the next five years but I don't want that." (end of room, turn, start walking) "I love you and I want to be with you. I don't want to keep this quiet as I did with Tom in the beginning." (turn, start walking) "As a matter-of-fact, when we speak to Janeway this afternoon about what we realized about this traveler, I wanted to ask the Captain to send a official ship wide memo informing people, if you agree of course." (turn) "I want the entire universe to know, but I will settle for the entire ship..."

"Kyamo...", Seven interrupted quietly.

"... I know, Seven." B'Elanna rambled on. "I know that this is not really necessary but," (turn) "I still want to do it. Unless you really object. But there are also other reasons. Senior staff is allowed to have their own rooms. You shouldn't have to live in a 'cargo bay'!" B'Elanna practically spit those last two words and then continued rambling. "Now, I know that moving in isn't exactly having your own rooms but if you're going to move, I would like to have you here." (turn) "And that cargo bay simply isn't safe..."

"Lanna..." Seven tried again.

"...No, Seven, everybody can walk in there while you are regenerating and you don't notice it. I know. I have been there each time you regenerated the last couple of months and you never noticed my presence."

B'Elanna was so caught up in a rambling that she didn't realize what she just confessed to Seven. Nobody knew that B'Elanna had spent at least one hour each night when Seven was regenerating just looking at Seven, looking at her own idea of perfection.

"And it would also be better for your health if you lived here. Because you would eventually get a rhythm into your life. Something I know you don't have at the moment. Going to bed at night. Breakfast in the morning. Dinner at night then sleep again. Much better than what you have now..."

"B'Elanna," this time Seven was actually quietly laughing.

"...And if you live here than nobody would disturb you when you are sleeping, I mean sleeping sleeping, not regenerating. Though I do tend to move in my sleep. Not that I'm assuming anything but... okay, so I am assuming that we would sleep in the same bed..."

Seven decided to just lean back and wait until B'Elanna was either finished rambling or would finally look at her. She actually enjoyed seeing the Klingon ramble on like that.

"...And you could use the kitchen here if you want to cook. I could teach you a few things. Not that I'm any good at cooking. But then again, you don't have to be any good at cooking to be better at cooking than Neelix. But if you don't like to cook then I would love to make you something once in a while. I'm sure I could get better at it, cooking I mean.

"And to be honest, I don't trust that alcove of yours anymore after what you just told me and I would only feel comfortable if you were regenerating in a alcove we built from scratch. And then we could just as well build it in here, in some corner. Once again, nobody to interrupt you when you are sleeping or regenerating.

"And... and... ah, you could have Naomi over when you are staying here. I like the kid so that wouldn't bother me at all. I would like that. And... and... you could use half of the closet space to hang your biosuits so that they don't wrinkle. Do your biosuits actually wrinkle?"

B'Elanna was so caught up in her rambling that she still hadn't looked at Seven so she was completely missing the unbelievable sight of a Borg shaking with silent laughter.

"And... and, you would also be rid of that stupid 'regeneration cycle complete' voice. And, when we live together we actually get replicator rations for two persons so we could actually save replicator rations when we would use the kitchen. And Naomi could also come over more often..."

When B'Elanna started to repeat herself Seven decided that it was time to put her out of her misery. So with difficulty, she summoned her best monotone Borg voice and tried a complete; "Chief Engineer Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres."

Seven was finally successful and the Klingon stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly turned to Seven, realizing what a fool she just had made of herself. However, luckily, the Borg had the most beautiful smile on her face that B'Elanna had ever seen. And then those beautiful lips formed the most beautiful word that B'Elanna had ever heard.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes."

Now that Seven had agreed the nervous butterflies left the Klingon and she got some of her calm back. Though there was no way of getting rid of that broad smile that had come to her face when Seven had said yes. "That's all? After that entire speech, you simply say yes?"

"It seems that you are quite capable of using enough words for the both of us." Seven said while she got up and moved to the Klingon. She put her arms around B'Elanna and rested her hands on the Klingon's backslide.

B'Elanna had no control over it when her eyes fluttered shut. Feeling Seven's body against hers, in front of her, and feeling Seven's hands on her backside was almost enough to short-circuit her brain. And that was with clothes on. She was sure that the ability to stand would automatically leave her if this same situation were to happen when they were both naked. That thought was enough to make her hearts beat in overtime and she quickly stepped back, out of the Borg's reach. "That is something you shouldn't do when we still have to work, love."

"Why not? Does that not arouse you? Or are you afraid to feel my arms around you, afraid to feel my mesh covered hand touching you? A hand that has enough power to transform your beautiful body into nothing more than a bloody heap?" By now Seven's tone had changed from warm and loving to that famous cold Borg tone and her questions were asked in an accusatory way. It pained the ex-drone that she had to do this but she needed to prove this point.

"What kind of stupid questions are these?" B'Elanna asked outraged. How could Seven think that B'Elanna would be afraid of those implants? The hurt was obvious to hear in the Klingon's voice. "How can you even suggest that?"

"Because I noticed that you changed the subject to living together without actually ending the conversation about your Klingon Heritage. Kyamo, I am sorry that I had to do this. But you just proved my point. All what I said about my implants is true. Yet you do not fear them while they are touching your body. In fact, you want them touching you. The same goes for your Klingon Heritage. It is something others might have to fear but to it is something I could never think about fearing. Just like you want to feel my mesh-covered hand on your body I want to experience that Klingon side of yours."

Finally B'Elanna's facial expression changed from outrage to total understanding. Finally, FINALLY she understood what Seven meant. You don't need experience or research to love something. You simply need to love a person entirely and you will love everything about that person.
"Thank you for explaining, Annika."

The tone in the Klingon's voice told Seven that she had finally gotten her point across. So she once again changed the subject. This time back to the living together.

"I wanted to agree to living together before you even started with explaining why living together would be a good thing. Though I really did like your explanations. If you had not asked me, I would have asked you in a couple of days. I just thought that maybe you needed some time to adjust to the idea of it again."

"Okay, in that case, why don't we speak a little about the moving in, and the moving of your personal possessions while we have breakfast."

"I do not require n..." Seven started to say but she realized that even though she was not hungry, she still could eat something if that meant that she could have the experience of sharing a breakfast with B'Elanna so she quickly changed her statement. "I would love to have breakfast with you. Though only a little, I am not that hungry."

B'Elanna caught the change and it brought a smile to her face. How have I ever managed without her? Just the fact that she wants to eat breakfast with me makes me happier than Tom ever could. She realized that even though it was true it still was not fair to her friend who had certainly tried everything to make her happy, Sorry Tom. she thought before saying out loud; "Great, one breakfast coming up."

Chapter 8

B'Elanna finished putting the remains of the breakfast away which seems only fitting to her since it had been Seven who had ended up making the breakfast stating that B'Elanna's methods was inefficient.

"I think I'll have a quick look in Engineering before we go give our report to the Captain. You okay with that?"

"It is acceptable. The report to the Captain is important but not urgent and I know that the first thing you do when you start working is take a look at the warp core."

"Sure, call me predictable why don't you." B'Elanna joked as she started moving toward the door. "Okay then, shall we go?"

"Yes, Kyamo." Seven replied and started to get up from the couch.

B'Elanna stopped when she heard Seven once again call her beautiful one in Klingon and joined Seven by the couch. "You really like calling me that, don't you?" She asked while they both sat down again.

Seven smiled and openly took a good moment of time to admire the view of B'Elanna sitting there, looking at her. "It suits you. And I like the way it sounds. If there is a single word in the Klingon language that fits you perfectly, then it is Kyamo. Do you actually know the precise origin of the word Kyamo?"

"No, I don't. It's just a Klingon word like the rest. A beautiful one..." B'Elanna grinned at her chores of words, which had been accidentally. "... A beautiful word, I mean, but as far as I know, it is just a word."

"That is incorrect. There is a specific history to that word. At the time the original Kahless lived, there was no Klingon description for 'beautiful one.' However, Kahless wanted a word that described his wife perfectly. After days of thinking, he decided that the beauty of his wife was so unheard of that no word in the Klingon language was good enough to describe her. So he came up with the term 'Kyamo.' And since then the use of the word Kyamo is only allowed to describe a beautiful Klingon woman."

"Damn, Seven you really do know a lot about Klingons, don't you? But, um, than how come that nowadays the word Kyamo is used to describe everything beautiful. Even a very good-looking Targ."

Seven used her Mesh covered hand to brush away some of the hairs that hung before the Klingon's face. She liked how B'Elanna reacted no differently to the normal hand than the hand with the exoskeleton on it. How B'Elanna leaned into a caress with that hand just as much as she did when Seven used her other hand.

"Because now, almost no one remembers the exact origin of the word. But, during the time that the real Kahless lived, you would have been killed for using the word Kyamo to describe a Targ. So, unless you object, I would like to keep calling you that, Kyamo."

"I don't mind at all. I also like the way it sounds." B'Elanna leaned in to steal a small kiss. "Especially when it comes from these beautiful lips. So, you just keep right on calling me Kyamo. Mesh."

It took a moment for Seven to understand that B'Elanna had just used her own form of endearment. And without really realizing it, she looked at her Mesh-covered hand that was still between them.

The Klingon took the hand between her own two hands before explaining tenderly. "That is what everybody else will think. And I am fine with that. Let them think that. Let them think that it is a reference to your Borg enhanced, Mesh-covered hand. But the real reason why I will call you that is something private something known only to us. I want to call you that because..."

"...because of what the word suggests." Seven interrupted B'Elanna, already knowing and understanding what the Klingon was trying to say. "The word 'Mesh' is often used to describe the coming together of two things in a haphazard way. It would refer to the Meshing of my Borg nature and my humanity."

"Yes, Mesh, but also it would indicate the coming together, the Meshing, of our love for each other. Because, you've got to admit. If something came together haphazard then it's us."

"Indeed." Seven only said while she raised her eyebrow in her typical superior Borg manner. But then she quickly decided that she would rather be kissing B'Elanna, so she took a moment to do so. A moment, and a kiss, which turned into several kisses and a couple of minutes. Finally, she decided that they really had to go if they were ever going to leave the quarters that day. So she stood up and headed to the door. But just before the sensor would detect her, she realized that she had forgotten a small detail. "Computer, what is the translation status of the Klingon word Kyamo?" She asked, wanting to know if the computer would translate the word in the rest of the ship.

<The Klingon word Kyamo is listed as an endearment/profanity that is not to be translated into Federation language unless said in an ongoing conversation. Other words in this category are in order of common usage; raktajino, petaQ, jay', bang, Hu'...>

"Computer, stop reply." Seven interrupted when de computer continued giving detailed information. She then turned her attention to B'Elanna. "You have the computer set to detailed replying. Explain. You always told me to 'shut up' when I was expanding something in detail."

"Mesh, first thing, you said it right. 'Told' you. Past tense. I never do that nowadays, do I?"

"No, you do not. However that does still not explain why you used to interrupt me."

"Did it annoy you when I told you to shut up?"

"Yes, it did."

"Then you know why I always told you to shut up. I like detailed information but I like telling you to shut up even more."

"Ah, in that case, I can explain everything in detail from now on." The Borg was not at all surprised by that explanation, she had expected as much.
She and B'Elanna finally left THEIR quarters and started walking to the turbolift. "You, of course, do realize that your alignment of the magnetic constrictors yesterday was off by 0.005 percent. I could explain how to correct this in the future. Then you..."

"Mesh, shut up." The Klingon said with a smile. Knowing only too well that Seven was merely having fun.

"Yes, Kyamo." The Borg dutifully replied and then added, "For now."

* * *

As soon as they entered Engineering, B'Elanna and Seven had split up. B'Elanna going to Lieutenant Joe Carey and Seven went to examine the warp core readings.

"Okay, Carey, tell me what we've got," the Klingon said.

"Nothing really to tell. We have steady running, nothing reported except for the standard small stuff, and nothing that would indicate that a new virus has activated." Then he continued with a smile. "I see that you're letting the Borg near your warp core without double-checking what she's doing, "Carey said. And then continued while faking excessive nervousness, "Should I check if the escape pods are in good working order?"

Carey was B'Elanna's second in command and he had seen how the two women had grown to each other in the last couple of months so they both knew that he was only teasing and needling his chief and good friend.

"Hey now, if I were you, I'd watch what I would say about my fiancée." The Klingon came back just as jokingly and realized at the same moment exactly what she had said. She wanted the entire ship to know but she would have liked if her friend (and Captain) had been the first to hear the news. But there was no way of taking back her words and she wouldn't deny the truth of them even under torture. So she decided to keep the conversation light and said in a sweet, innocent voice. "You wouldn't want me to get all protective about my fiancée, now would you?"

While she was saying this, she dusted some imaginary lint of the Lieutenant's uniform jacket. The whole scene was so innocent that was almost scary. However before Carey could ask if he had heard what he thought he had heard, never mind clarifying whether or not he was just 'threatened', they were interrupted by the clanging of tools being dropped and scattered about the floor by a young Ensign who had been only recently promoted to Engineering. The Ensign was so caught up in 'accidentally' overhearing the conversation between Carey and B'Elanna that she had walked straight into the warp core console, scattering the tools that she was carrying all over the floor.

"Are you damaged?" Seven asked the Ensign while she was helping her up from the floor.

"You guys are actually engaged? Wow. That is so cool. We've been waiting for that to happen for years! The group will never believe me when I tell them this. This is so... Wow."

B'Elanna sighed at the inevitable question. She really did want everybody to know about her engagement, it was just that she wanted to tell her closest friends first. Tom, Harry and Janeway. Those people should have been the first to know. So she was a bit reluctant to tell others this news first.
But, then again, this was her engineering staff. They deserved to know and she was just dying to tell more people about her love.

While this conversation was taken place, Seven took a moment to look around Engineering. She saw that nobody was working anymore and everybody was listening to the conversation. The Ensign's excitement had made sure of that. Seven was surprised to see nothing but smiles and approval written on every face. And the few that saw her looking at them returned the look with eyes filled with well wishing.

"Rachel, calm down." The Klingon addressed the Ensign. "Yes, Mesh and I got engaged late last night. So you guys are actually the first to know."

"Mesh?" Rachel asked. "Ah, you mean Seven. Nice nickname. Anyway, we never believed that you guys really hated each other. We always thought that all that fighting was just pent-up sexual frustration. It is so great to be proven right. Oh boy, the group will have a baby when I tell them this. Say, talking about baby, have you two actually... um, you know, consummated and all that stuff?"

"Kyamo, would you mind if I assimilated your engineer. At least that way she would stop asking questions that are unhealthy for her continued existence."

"Um, Rachel, you know that I don't mind that you talk so openly, but you do need to learn that you simply don't ask certain things. So, don't ask. And what is this group you're talking about?" B'Elanna decided that it was better to steer the conversation away from dangerous subjects that could try even Seven's patience.

"Oh, nothing really." Ensign Rachel suddenly started to answer vaguely. "Just some of us lower deck personnel who like to get together and gossip about ship's business. Hey Seven, I also like the Kyama nickname."

"That is Kyamo, not Kyama. And you are answering evasively."

"Eh, I am? Um, I really got to go. I have to do maintenance on the turbolift."
With that, Rachel quickly gathered the tools from the ground and left Engineering almost at a run. But she didn't go to the turbolift. She headed straight for her quarters. She had to let the group know this great news. Turbolift maintenance could wait for a couple minutes.

B'Elanna laughed when she looked at the retreating figure. She couldn't help it, she just liked the kid. "Anyway, Joe, Seven and I have to make our report to the Captain so you will have to hold the fort a little while longer."

"Sure, no problem. And let me be the first one to congratulate you on your engagement. I think you two fit together perfectly."

"I must admit that I am surprised by your reaction to our engagement. I had suspected more resistance to the fact that B'Elanna and I have begun a relationship."

Carey shook his head when he heard that. "Neh, Seven, not anymore. Sure, the first year you were on board pretty much nobody trusted you. But three years have passed since you got here and you have shown us, on numerous occasions, that we can trust you. You have saved this ship several times and you have proven that you certainly deserve a place here. I know that you don't have many close friends but you also, as far as I know, have no more enemies on board this ship and we all like you. So we certainly won't mind that you would get involved with our stubborn Chief Engineer here."

"Hey, I resent that. I am not stubborn. Okay, so I'm a little bit stubborn." The Klingon said, in mock outrage before getting serious again, "Thanks, Joe, that means a lot to me, to us. I'm glad that I don't need to go around breaking noses left and right."

Carey rubbed his own nose in response to that. "That would be a good incentive. But it really isn't necessary. I guarantee you, there's only sincere well wishes from the crew."

"Most of the crew." Seven corrected.

B'Elanna knew whom Seven was talking about so she decided not to react. She was sure that her friend would be happy for her. Certainly, Chakotay would only wish for her happiness.

"Well, see you later, Carey."

Seven gave a small nod to the Engineer and left together with the Klingon.

* * *

They were halfway to the turbolift when they met four members of the crew debating something rather actively.

"It appears that the Ensign was quick in spreading the word. They are talking about our relationship." The Borg sometimes found her enhanced hearing quite useful.

"Yeah. It looks like the news might reach the bridge before we do."

"I highly doubt that, the bridge is a sealed off part of the ship. I am sure that the entire ship knows by now, except the bridge. I do not believe that anybody from the crew would specifically go to the bridge to spread gossip. Nor would they send a message. I believe that this is one of those cases where everyone knows except the senior staff."

"You're probably right. But only because lunch break hasn't started yet. Because then I'm sure they would know."

By now, they had reached the crewmembers who were suddenly extremely quiet, not really knowing what to say. Finally, one of them gathered the courage to speak.

"Sooo. Um, is it true? You guys finally got involved, officially, I mean?"

"Yes, X." B'Elanna answered the woman whose real name was so difficult to pronounce that everybody simply called her X, which was at least the first letter of her name. "Seven and I got engaged yesterday, according to Klingon tradition, and today, Mesh agreed to move in with me. Which means you and Rachel will have to help Harry, Seven and me build a new alcove in our quarters. I want that finished by the next time Mesh has to regenerate."

"Sure, boss. You just give the word and we will be ready. I like that nickname by the way, Mesh, sounds like something I would come up with. Um, that is... not that I have dreamt of being close enough to Seven to have a nickname for her." Then X realized that Seven was also present. "Oh, God. I'm not saying that I wouldn't want to be close to you, just that I ain't. I certainly wouldn't mind being close to you. As a matter-of-fact, I have dreamt of that, um... I didn't say that, you didn't hear that. What I meant was..."

"X, stop digging." B'Elanna came to the rescue. The Klingon certainly couldn't blame her for having a crush on Seven. "She will let you go on until you wish you could sink through the floor."

"That warning comes a bit too late, boss. I already want to sink through the floor. But..." X sighed and took a deep breath. "Let me assure you that I am absolutely happy for you. You deserve each other. And I mean that in a good way. Not that I mean... I am going to shut up now."

"A very wise decision." The Borg finally said. "I thank you for your well wishes. They are... unorthodox but appreciated. Shall we continue, Kyamo?"

The Klingon didn't answer but started walking to the turbolift with a big grin on her face. She looked to the side and saw a smile on Seven's lips when they both heard the excited X saying: "Did you hear what she called her? That is so...wow."

When the doors to the turbolift finally closed behind them, B'Elanna could not contain her laughter and even Seven was laughing silently. "Do you think she's part of this group Rachel was talking about?" The Klingon finally asked.

"I would say that the chance of this is highly likely." Then the Borg sobered up and her voice became serious. "I was fully prepared to ignore the negative reactions of the crew to our involvement but these positive reactions make me feel accepted, part of the collective."

"I think Carey was right, Annika. You may only have a few good friends but you certainly have a lot of friends on this ship, even if you don't know it yourself."

"I am starting to realize that." Seven said while the doors to the bridge opened and they both stepped out. "It is just that..." But Seven never finished her sentence. Her eyes had drifted to the viewscreen and she had seen the ship on it. Suddenly, she couldn't move anymore. Now that Species 8472 was once again back into fluidic space there was only one known species in the Galaxy that were a threat to the Borg collective. For eighteen years, Seven had lived with the knowledge that there was one thing that could threaten the continued existence of the Borg collective. Now that Seven could feel emotions again, seeing that ship filled her with fear. However, that fear was only short-lived. It was quickly replaced with the need to protect her collective. To protect Voyager.

"What's the matter, Mesh?" B'Elanna asked when she noticed that Seven had stopped moving. But the Borg never answered her. What happened next on the bridge was more important.

"Okay, Tuvok..." Janeway said.

But before Tuvok could do whatever the Captain was about to order, a purple light was filling the bridge. "WE are being scanned." Tuvok said calmly, if a bit redundant.

Seven could feel how Tuvok was looking at her but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the ship on the viewscreen.

"Raise Shields."

These words from Janeway were finally enough to prompt a reaction from Seven. She knew that she had to act now or it could already be too late. So while Janeway was still saying her last word, her voice was drowned out by a not so cool nor composed blonde urgently screaming...

"NO!!!"

That reaction was even enough to stop Tuvok from carrying out his orders.

"Seven?" A surprised Janeway asked.

That question and B'Elanna's hand on the small of her back guiding her was enough to finally get the Borg moving. And it was only the contact of that hand on her back that gave Seven the self-confidence she needed at that moment.

"Seven, I am waiting for an explanation. We are sitting ducks with our shields lowered."

"I realize that, Captain, but they never attack unless provoked. However, the meaning of the word 'provoked' is rather broad-based with them. Everything can be a provocation if they are looking for it. Raising our shields could be considered a provocation."

"Okay, I can accept that. But I would still rather have my shields up in case they decide that something else is a provocation and start firing upon us."

The Borg opened her mouth to start explaining more precisely what she meant but decided that she really needed to get the Captain's undivided attention before Janeway would make a decision based upon only a part of the information. So she opted for a very blunt but effective; "If they start firing upon us then our shields would not make any difference. There weapon technology is far superior to Voyager's."

"Come now, Seven. I'm sure that we could handle a ship that is ten times smaller than Voyager." The Captain said. But to her credit, she didn't simply assume this. She wanted Seven to prove her wrong. However, it was not Seven who was going to prove her wrong but the other ship.

"Something is happening." Harry said when he saw the indicators on his board lightening up. They are powering up weapons and shields, Captain."

"Tuvok..."

"This is a unwise decision, Captain." Seven tried again.

"Your objection is noted, Seven, but I still want those shields up."

"Kathryn, you will kill us all." Seven said in a last desperate attempt.
But, luckily enough, that attempt was very effective.

"Harry, what do those readings tell you?" The Captain asked. But when the young lieutenant didn't answer, she looked at him and saw disbelief written all over his face. Janeway had enough of it. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. So instead of trying to give another order, she stood up and walked to Kim's station. When she saw the readings that were on the board, she too needed a moment to find her words.
"I stand corrected. Thank you, Seven. At the moment, that little ship has a weapon signature that is more than fifteen times as powerful as that of the most powerful ship in the Federation. The shields measure as more than twenty times as powerful as anything the Federation has."

"That is correct." Tuvok had rerouted the information through his board because he saw it as his duty to double-check those readings. And he saw it also as his duty to give more information. "And I suspect that they are not running at full capacity. The readings are too steady for that. They do not show the power fluctuations one gets when the systems are running at top capacity."

"So they are just showing off?" Paris chipped in.

"I think it is more like they are looking for what our reaction will be." Janeway took the time she needed to get back to her chair to think about what her next action would be. "Any suggestions, Seven?"

"They always allowed the Borg to retreat. Maybe they will allow us to back up."

"They ALLOWED the Borg to retreat?" Janeway asked. "Very well, they didn't answer our hails, they won't let us through, and they just basically told us that picking a fight with them is not a good idea so let's see if we can go around them. Tom take us back fifty thousand kilometers at warp seven, then set a course that will take us around them, leaving at least those fifty thousand kilometers between us."

"Yes, ma'am."

The next five minutes were spent in tense silence. Finally, Tom set the new course and they once again started in the direction of the Alpha Quadrant.

"If you want to raise the shields, Captain, then now is the time to do it." Seven said, knowing only too well that the shields really wouldn't help them but they would make Janeway feel more comfortable.

"Well in that case, Tuvok, raise shields."

"Shields at one hundred percent."

All the time this was happening, the mysterious ship didn't move. But when they finally came alongside the ship, though at a fifty thousand kilometer distance, the ship started moving and then it just disappeared. Only to reappear in front of them again, blocking their way once again.

"All stop." Janeway ordered. "Did my eyes just deceive me or did that ship jump from one place to the other."

"It did not 'jump'. It moved at a speed in excess of warp ten." The now completely calm Borg explained.

"What? They have Transwarp capabilities? But I didn't see a Transwarp conduit?" Janeway asked surprised.

"They do not need a conduit. Their shielding is strong enough to protect the ship from being torn apart by the forces that act on a ship at Transwarp. The fastest speed that the Borg have ever seen one of their ships travel at was warp sixteen point six. But the Borg believe that they might be capable of speeds in excess of warp thirty."

"This just keeps getting better. Any idea why they won't let us through? And what more can you tell us about them?"

The only two reasons I can think of for why they won't let us through is because either they are protecting something, or we have reached the border of their territory. And as for what more I can tell you, do you want this information now or do you want to hold a senior staff meeting?"

"You're right again, Seven. A senior staff meeting is definitely what we need right now." She got up and moved in the direction of conference room one and only gave the order as in an afterthought. "All senior staff to the conference room."

Chapters 9 to 10