With Admiral Janeway now onboard Voyager, the crew seem anxious with their curiosity rising. While Captain Janeway debriefs her senior self, Seven is fast at work in the Astrometric's Lab analyzing the temporal rift produced by the Klingon's chrono-deflector, thus bringing the Admiral to their temporal coordinates. Commander Chakotay enters the Astrometric's Lab to visit Seven of Nine who is hard at work.

"You know Seven, it's 2200 hours. You're duty shift officially ended four hours ago. Are you bucking for overtime?" Says the smiling Commander.

"I realize it's late, but this technology...I've never seen such advanced modifications. (words stumbling) I...I felt it needed to be addressed immediately", Seven defensively responds.

"Just like a kid in a candy store."

"Commander?"

"There are some things I can't wait for either. You know I slaved over the replicator for hours. Dinner is still waiting for us in my quarters...among other things." Chakotay teases.

"...and what other things might that be Commander?" The former drone teases back.

"Well, that all depends on your research. What is it telling you?"

Seven light heartedly responds, "Hmm...lets see...I'll need to access the ship's data banks but offhand I believe our fourth date is incomplete."

"...and what do you suppose we do about it?"

Seven's attention is swayed from her current task and onto Chakotay. She closes the distance between them and places her arms around his neck. She looks deep into his eyes and is drawn to him like a magnet. They kiss tenderly and depart, hoping not to be seen in a compromising position.

"Maybe we should return to my quarters." Suggests the ex-Maquis member.

"I concur. I'm finding myself... hungry...all of a sudden." Seven flirtatiously responds.

Chakotay smiles

"Computer...lock on to Commander Chakotay's and my comm. badge signals and transport us directly to Commander Chakotay's quarters."

"You don't waste any time."

"It's more efficient and discrete this way."

"I concur" Agrees Chakotay.

They resume their kiss as the transporter captures their intertwined forms.

* * *

Still entwined in an embrace with lips pressing firmly against each other, Chakotay and Seven materialize inside of the Commander's quarters. They reluctantly stand apart and become aware of their new private surroundings.

"I've never transported while being connected to another before. I found it extremely arousing." Admits Chakotay.

"It is a first time experience for me as well, among other things."

Realizing what Seven is hinting at, Chakotay becomes conscious of the fact that Seven of Nine, who as a child was abducted and assimilated by the Borg has never had the opportunity to experience intimate relations until recently. With this realization, Chakotay releases Seven from his embrace and takes a few steps away from the former drone. Seven is perplexed by the Commander's actions.

"Is something wrong?" Asks a concerned Seven.

"No, I just want to make sure we're not progressing too quickly. I don't want us having any regrets from our actions." Admits Chakotay.

"Then you don't desire to be with me?"

Chakotay smiles, approaches the former Borg and places his hand on her cheek.

"Of course I desire you Seven. I want to be with you in the worst way. I just don't want to take advantage of your inexperience. What we're about to do is a big step in your strive for humanity. Intimate relations are something you should share with someone you love or feel deeply for. Once you've been intimate with someone, your innocence is lost forever. This isn't something to rush into. Maybe you should take some time and think about this. Maybe we both should."

Filled with disappointment, Seven frowns and looks away from Chakotay, then takes a few steps away, widening the distance between them.

"The Captain has encouraged me to express myself more with the crew in forming friendships and exploring different aspects of my humanity that I would have never experienced as a drone. Until recently, I've had no inclination to explore intimacy until our friendship became more apparent."

"What are you trying to say?" Asks Chakotay.

"At first when we were stranded on the Ventu planet, the thought of us being stuck there forever was horrendous to me. But when I saw you interacting with the inhabitants and began to see something in you that wasn't there before. Your Native American heritage began to surface and I was intrigued by your intellect and adaptability in relating with the indigenous people. It was then I decided to emulate your actions and learn how to communicate with them. The thought of a permanent residence with only you as company didn't seem so terrible after all." Admits Seven.

"I felt the same way about you in the beginning. The thought of being stranded on a simplistic, pre-warp planet with an emotionless drone for company didn't exactly sit too well with me either. That's one of the reasons I started communicating with the Ventu. But that night when you didn't return, I found myself worried beyond belief. I thought for sure something had happened to you. If my leg had allowed me, I would have been out there looking for you. When you were still missing by morning, I couldn't take it anymore, the Ventu made me a walking stick and accompanied me to find you. When we finally found you, my first instinct was to wrap my arms around you. But then I came to my senses because at that time I didn't think it was appropriate." Says a smiling Chakotay.

Seven is surprised in the Commander's candor.

"Then our feelings for each other began on that planet? Seven concludes.

"It would seem so. It's too bad we couldn't explore our feelings there. The planet had some gorgeous scenery. It would have been romantic." Teases Chakotay.

"Well, there's always the holodeck. I'm sure we can conjure something up." Says a flirtatious Seven remembering the breathless waterfalls the young Ventu girl had shown her.

Chakotay continues, "Seven, I have deep feelings for you and want our relationship to grow. I just need to know if you feel the same. I know we joke about it, but I don't want to be part of your research. I need to know how you feel about us."

Seven looks away and considers Chakotay's words. After a few minutes, she continues.

"I had no idea relationships can be so complicated. I've never felt this way before and don't know how to respond. As a drone..."

Chakotay interrupts, "You're no longer a drone Seven! Your as human as the rest of us or as human as you allow yourself to be. Look at me and tell me what you feel and stop hiding behind the Collective. It's just you and me."

After a few minutes of silence Chakotay walks over to Seven to face her. The ex-drone is unable to make eye contact. The Commander senses her vulnerability and places his hand below her chin slowly raising her face to meet his. To his surprise, Seven's eyes are full of tears. His voice softens as concern engulfs him.

"What's wrong?"

With hesitation, Seven is barely able to maintain eye contact, but she tries her best to continue on.

"You're assumption of me is correct. I've always been apprehensive in becoming human. It was much easier being Borg because of the Collective's strive for perfection. Failure was not an option. But to be an individual, so vulnerable, I'm afraid of failing you and the Captain and everyone else on Voyager. I'm afraid of being Annika Hansen. I know it's my human identity, but I don't know how to be her!" Confesses a vulnerable and sobbing Seven.

Placing his hand on her cheek, Chakotay's tone softens.

"Seven, you could never fail anyone but yourself. For the past four years, you've proven to be a valuable member of this crew. You've exceeding our expectations. For myself, I don't care if you're Seven of Nine Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One or Annika Hansen. What matters to me is that the woman I love is standing directly in front of me at this very moment."

Seven's crying subsides as Chakotay's last words linger.

"You're in love with me?" Asks a perplexed Seven.

Shocked by his own confession, Chakotay's eyes widen in disbelief.

"I didn't realize it before, but apparently I am." Acknowledges a slowly smiling Chakotay.

Seven's expression changes as a small smile forms on her face.

"So, how about it Seven, the truth...tell me how you feel."

Barely audible with hesitation, Seven responds shakily, "I...I...have feelings for you. Without any frame of reference, I am unfamiliar what they are. All I know is that I am constantly distracted with thoughts of you throughout the day and even during regeneration. When I am apart from you, I feel incomplete and almost sad. When we touch, my body feels tingly all over. Is this normal?"

Trying to conceal his amusement, Chakotay tries to explain what she's feeling.

"Seven, what your describing is what someone in love feels. It's the same for me."

The ex-drone begins to tear up once more. "Then, it is love I'm feeling. I'm in love with you."

Knowing how difficult it was for Seven to express herself, Chakotay wraps his arms around her and holds her tight. After a few minutes, he loosens his grip into a relaxed embrace and looks into her swollen eyes.

"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"

Wiping her tears. "These emotions are draining, its no wonder the Borg didn't find intimacy worthy of assimilation."

Chakotay breaks out into laughter at Seven's remark then kisses her gently on her nose as the Science Officer closes her eyes.

"I didn't know until this very moment how much I loved you. Seven, you're beautiful and sensitive yet intelligent with a sense of humor. I don't know why I didn't see it before."

Looking straight into her soul, Chakotay places a long passionate kiss on her lips. Seven responds by outlining the tattoo over his left eye with her human hand then bringing her lips to meet his own.

Trying to speak between kisses, Chakotay continues...

"I want to be with you Seven. I want to make love to you. Will you stay with me tonight?"

Seven smiles at Chakotay's request and presses her lips against his.

"I will comply...you may assimilate me." Says a grinning Seven.

With her acknowledgement, Chakotay lifts her up in his arms and walks over to his sleeping area. While kissing her, he slowly lowers Seven onto his bed and covers her body with his own. With kisses deepening, Seven permits Chakotay's tongue to explore her hungry mouth while she explores his own. With a free hand, the aroused Commander begins his tactile examination of her slender form running his steady hand along the length of her body feeling the curves heat up underneath her one piece bio-suit. His hand hesitates as it rests on a hardening nipple protruding through the skin tight material. Seven's lips break the seal of their kiss as her breathing increases and gasps as the wandering fingers squeeze the aroused nub. Feeling satisfied in his attempts to please the ex-drone, Chakotay lowers his head and brushes his lips against the throbbing tip. Seven responds with a soft moan and runs her hands through the First Officer's thick, black hair. Chakotay raises his head to observe his love and eagerly captures her mouth with his own. With their actions intensifying, both begin to tear at each other's garments that constrict their ravenous bodies. While showering her neck with kisses, Chakotay reaches behind and unfastens Seven's bio-suit and slowly begins to reveal her soft ivory skin. At the same moment, Seven manages to unzip Chakotay's federation jumpsuit and lowers it to his waist while tearing off his grey undershirt exposing his heated chest. Chakotay instinctively removes the rest of his garment leaving his boxers to contend with. Seven glances at Chakotay's eagerness with approval and begins to lower her own garment.

"No! Let me do that. I want you to lie back, let me please you. Your first time should be special." Explains Chakotay.

Looking into his eyes, "It already is." Responds an emotional Seven.

Chakotay smiles widely and kisses her with more conviction while continuing to lower her bio-suit. With every inch of skin revealed Chakotay traces each area with kisses while Seven's body responds with increased movement. First revealing the shoulders, then two hardened nipples surrounded by soft pale areolas. With adoration overcoming him, Chakotay hesitates and lowers his head to the twin peaks and lightly flicks his tongue at a nipple then places his lips around a swollen nub, while fondling the other. Seven responds by arching her back and letting out a groan at this new sensation. While suckling the stimulated tip and giving attention to its twin, the First Officer continues to lower Seven's garment, exposing her stomach and belly button. To Chakotay's surprise, an implant takes the place of the umbilical. After giving explicit attention to Seven's full round breasts, Chakotay lowers his head and gently licks at the metallic device sending shivers up Seven's spine as yet another sensation overwhelms her to the point of causing small tremors throughout her body. Chakotay stops his descent to witness his lover experience shear ecstasy. Satisfied with his performance so far, his attention returns to the impeding article of clothing as he slowly lowers it past her hips revealing Seven's smooth and hairless mound. Chakotay leaves the garment straggling at Seven's knees and positions himself over her to place a kiss on her mound sending another shiver throughout her body. Unable to control her body's actions, Seven's hips begin to buck in response to Chakotay's advance to her swollen damp folds. Sensing her eagerness, Chakotay removes the rest of her garment to free her long, slender legs. With increased anticipation, Seven raises her head to observe Chakotay removing his boxers revealing his long, erect rod. Chakotay returns his attention to his lover's lips and positions himself so his body covers hers as complete as a blanket on a cold winter's night. There kisses deepen as Chakotay positions his leg between Seven's and gently rubs her moist sex with his knee. Seven responds with a forced exhale and presses her lips against his and wraps her arms and legs around his torso. If it weren't for oxygen deprivation, their lips would be joined forever. Chakotay raises his head and releases Seven's tight French bun freeing her golden locks. He stares at her in awe while Seven bewildered looks on.

"Is something wrong?" Asks the mystified ex-drone.

"Not at all Seven...you're beautiful...absolute...perfection."

Seven smiles as Chakotay kisses her tenderly on the lips then returns to ravage her bare form.

Leaving kisses on her neck and the valley between her breasts, the Commander takes his time nibbling and suckling at each breast once more, gently pulling at each nipple watching them retract to their normal position. Seven responds with soft moans while clawing at his back and shoulders, leaving red welts. As Chakotay continues southward, he places a kiss on the umbilical implant and resumes toward Seven's smooth mound where he places his right hand over her sex feeling the radiating heat from within. Anticipating his next action, Seven sits up to observe her lover insert a finger between her swollen folds. She closes her eyes and arches her back in response to her first penetration as Chakotay proceeds further inside. Feeling her vaginal walls contract around his single digit, he slowly withdraws and replaces it with two fingers while watching his beloved react to his protrusion. Unable to sit up any longer, the ex-drone lies flat on her back and begins to grab at the sheets around her. Sensing her approaching climax, Chakotay withdraws his digits and lowers his head to her opening. With her legs spread wide, he dips down and opens her sex with both sets of fingers and licks teasingly at her clit. Seven involuntarily jerks at this sensation and moans louder. Enjoying her reaction, Chakotay deepens his oral exploration by inserting his tongue deep into her opening while stimulating the bundle of nerves with his thumb. Within minutes, Seven's body begins to involuntarily buck out of control as she verbally screams in delight as her lover continues to devour her juices.

"Mmmm...you taste so good. I can't get enough of you."

Unable to speak, Seven acknowledges Chakotay with a nod of approval while breathing heavily.

After consuming her remaining juices, Chakotay raises himself over her body and prepares himself to enter her. Still recovering from her climax, Seven looks up and watches as her lover inserts himself into her opening. The feeling is of pain and pleasure. Unprepared for his generous size, Seven gasps as her tight opening is filled beyond capacity.

"Am I hurting you?" Asks a breathless Chakotay.

Barely able to speak, Seven is only capable of whispering a "NO" response.

"This may be a little uncomfortable...I'm going to penetrate your hymen... the pain is only temporary." Explains Chakotay.

As Chakotay begins his first full thrust, Seven is overwhelmed by a sharp pain and responds with sucking in her breath. Sensing her discomfort, Chakotay slows his pace until Seven's expression reverts back to joy. After giving him the okay-to-proceed look, Chakotay quickens his pace and deepens his thrusts. Wrapping her legs around his waist, Seven begins to jut her hips upward in response to his rhythm. Their movement is pure synchronicity as they begin to reach their peaks. With small tremors building within her, Seven's moans continue louder with each thrust. In response to his love's verbal confirmation, sweat drips off of Chakotay's body and mixes with Seven's glistening form as his inevitable ejaculation approaches. Unable to hold back any longer, the First Officer yells out in ecstasy as he expels his seed into his beloved who responds with her own climax almost simultaneously. As a result of exhaustion, Chakotay collapses on top of Seven who is fatigued as well. Both lie there exhausted hot and sweaty bodies intertwined as they surrender themselves to sleep.

Its 0400 hours when Seven wakes up. Feeling a dull ache in her lower extremities, she smiles in remembrance to their previous lovemaking. Watching her beloved sleep next to her is a feeling of contentment. However, with her sexual curiosity alive, she is determined to carry out some of her research. As Chakotay continues in a comfortable sleep, Seven removes the blanket and exposes her partner's sex. Seven slowly approaches his half erect rod and flicks at the tip with her tongue. She quickly looks up to see that Chakotay is still asleep. Feeling devious, Seven licks at the tip with more force, this time observing the shaft extend to a longer position. Amused by the response to her actions, Seven decides to place her mouth around the rod not realizing that Chakotay has regained consciousness and is now watching her, yet pretending to be asleep whenever she looks up. Enjoying the feeling of consuming her lover, Seven brings his penis as deep in her mouth as possible and causes a gag reflex when the tip strikes the back of her throat. In response to Seven's coughing, Chakotay is unable to conceal is amusement and begins to chuckle.

"You're awake?"

"It's quite impossible to sleep through that. What are you doing?"

With her coughing subsiding, Seven responds.

"Trying to please you. My research tells me that oral gratification is preferred among males. But I'm afraid I've failed at it."

Trying to conceal his amusement once again, Chakotay continues.

"You didn't fail Seven. Believe me you please me more than you can imagine. By the way, what else did you learn from your research?"

Seven smiles in response to her lover's words and looks up at him then places a long, passionate kiss on his lips. Chakotay responds by taking her in his arms and holding her close so their bodies press together.

"I never dreamed it was possible to be this close to another human being. Intimacy is so private and complex. I had no idea." Admits Seven.

"You said a mouthful Seven. So, now that you're no longer innocent, what are we going to do with you?"

Seven sits up on one arm and looks at Chakotay.

"Explain"

"Well, now that we're on intimate terms, the crew is going to find out."

"How will they know?" Asks Seven.

"By that glow your giving off. It's obvious that you've been intimate." Teases Chakotay.

"Glow? What glow? Is it radiation? Is it dangerous?" Asks the concerned and inexperienced ex-drone.

Chakotay laughs out loud.

"Relax Seven, I'm just joking with you. "Hmmm...well actually...come to think of it, you are smiling a lot more than usual. People are going to know something's up with you, especially B'Elanna, she's very perceptive you know. Maybe we should just tell them and get it over with." Suggests Chakotay.

"Perhaps your right but somehow I don't think we have to worry about anyone finding out about us just yet. As far as Lieutenant Torres is concerned, I think she's more distracted by her advanced pregnancy and false labor. As far as the rest of the crew, with the Admiral here to bring Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant, I have the feeling they may be more excited about that prospect." Explains Seven.

"You're probably right. That reminds me, we've got a staff meeting in less than three hours about those worm holes. We should try to get some sleep. We wouldn't want to be late and disappoint Harry." Says Chakotay.

Seven smiles at Chakotay's comments.

"I concur. Goodnight Chakotay...and...I love you."

"Sweet dreams Seven, I love you too."

They kiss and fall off to sleep not realizing what the future holds for them.