Part 6

In the Captain's quarter, Seven sat on the couch waiting for Katherine to finish preparing dinner. That's what the Captain had asked Seven to call her from now on while they were alone. Katherine stepped out of the little kitchenette carrying two glasses of red wine. Handing one to Seven she sat down next to her. When Seven gave her that trademark questioning raised eyebrow Katherine knew she had to explain.

"I know you don't drink alcohol Seven but the synthahol level in this is very low, so try not to worry too much. Besides after the day you had let alone the week, I think you need a little help to relax."

"Indeed." Seven agreed as she downed the half filled glass.

From what Seven had remembered from her first experience with alcohol, it left her with a feeling of euphoria, almost to the point of actually being happy. And Seven definitely thought that feeling anything other than the way she was feeling now would be preferable. With the time it had taken Seven to go down to sickbay and get checked out, she had come to terms with what she had remembered and felt. After all it was in the past and Seven had an affinity for being able to put the worst things behind her. It was inefficient to dwell on the past but that's not what had Seven so upset now. Instead it was only after the holodeck incident that she began to feel confused and very uncomfortable. Confused because if she was reading into things correctly, Captain Katherine Janeway was showing signs of amourous feelings toward Seven. Uncomfortable because if Katherine was in love with Seven, Seven could not return those feelings. It was true that Seven did love the Captain but as a mother or beloved mentor, instead her heart belonged to another. And that's what had Seven so upset. She didn't want to hurt Katherine but yet she could not betray the love she felt for B'Elanna Torres. Seven had always felt a special connection to Lanna; whether Lanna felt it too or not didn't matter. From the very beginning, Torres managed to make Seven feel. True it was anger, hostility, and frustration but they were all still human emotions. It took others like the Captain months to get any emotional response out of her. Lanna made Seven feel alive and a part of the Voyager collective. Everyone else treated her like the Captain's pet borg and only tolerated her presence, never accepting it. B'Elanna on the other hand treated her as an equal, she always spoke her mind, and wasn't afraid to make it clear that she didn't want Seven there but was willing to accept it because they needed Seven. Now the Klingon's and borg's relationship had changed from that of adversaries to friends. And Seven found that the engineer could inspire other emotions beside anger and frustration. After the past week and the incident in the holodeck, Seven realized she wanted their friendship to grow even further, it was only B'Elanna that she ever wanted to be held by. And Seven thought that Lanna might want the same thing. She wasn't sure mind you but Seven was more than willing to find out. The only thing that stood in her way was the Captain. How could she be with B'Elanna without hurting Katherine? For that she had no answer and Seven's face took on a crestfallen look while she stared helplessly at the floor. Katherine noticed the sadness that overcame Seven's normally impassive face and thought that Seven must still be thinking about her parents. Taking Seven's chin between her fingers, Katherine pulled Seven's face up until they were looking eye to eye. Seven's eyes held more emotion than the Captain had ever seen there before but it was an emotion that she wished never to be shown through the clear blue eyes. Not really thinking, Katherine couldn't help herself as she leaned into Seven and touched her lips with hers, wanting to erase some of the pain Seven was feeling. Of course the synthahol had slowed down Seven's response time but as soon as she realized what was happening she pulled back. Seven jumped up off the couch, apologized profusely, and then ran right out of the room.

Seven ran through the corridors, not really seeing where she was going but unconsciously heading for her own personal safe haven, cargo bay 2. Seven, for the second time that night, was crying. How could she betray B'Elanna like that? How could she betray the love she felt for B'Elanna? Now, she feared, that Lanna would never want to be with her because she had no honor, no respect for love. Of course, these emotions were all new to Seven and she found it extremely difficult to sort out all that she felt and thought. Somewhere in Seven's mind was a voice telling her how illogical, irrational, and irrelevant her thoughts were. Too bad Seven couldn't think straight to realize this. As soon as Seven entered cargo bay 2 she realized that she was not alone. Seven tried to wipe away the tear tracks and pull herself together but it was a complete waste of time. Even if B'Elanna had not seen the tears she would have known something was wrong.

"Seven, what's wrong?" Lanna cried out as she ran to Seven's side.

"It's... I... uh... she... " Seven couldn't form more than one word at a time. But that was all B'Elanna needed to hear; 'she'.

"Janeway." B'Elanna growled as she flew out of the cargo bay like a targ hunting it's prey.

Seven took a minute or two to finish composing herself and then ran out after Lanna, hoping that she wouldn't do anything too stupid before Seven reached her.

Meanwhile, the Captain was cursing up a storm in her quarters. She cursed in so many different languages that not even the computer could decipher it all. Just as she had decided to go after Seven, Janeway, literally, bumped into Chakotay who was sanding in front of her door.

"Commander." The Captain rushed her greeting as she tried to move past Chakotay. Unfortunately, Chakotay was having none of it.

"Captain, I just saw Seven run out of your quarters a minute ago. Is she okay? What happened?"

"It's none of your concern, Commander." Janeway realized that sounded a bit harsh so she added, "It's a persona matter."

Janeway left it at that and turned to continue on down the corridor. Only she didn't get very far when she was met by a fist. Torres punched Janeway so had that everyone around could here her nose cracking and see her flying back a good few feet.

"You, p'tach!" What did you do to Seven!?" B'Elanna screamed at the top of her lungs while she towered over the fallen Captain.

Chakotay jumped over the bloody mess that was the Captain to come stand between the two women. Just then Seven came up behind Lanna and grabbed her by the arms effectively restraining her without hurting her.

"Lanna, please calm down. I am fine. I am the one you should be angry at not the Captain."

Seven tried to calm the Klingon down and to some degree she did but it was all for nothing as the chef of security came upon the group. With the raise of his eyebrow he was able to question everyone present without saying a word.

"Lt. Tuvok, I want to press formal charges against Lt. B'Elanna Torres for assaulting her captain. Place her in the brig until such time as I can figure out a proper punishment for her." The Captain order through a very nasal voice as Chakotay helped her up off the floor.

"Why you bitch! You're the one that hurt Seven and I'm the one going to the brig?" Torres fumed.

"Lt., I want her out of my sight." Janeway screamed back.

Chakotay nodded his head in agreement but only because the engineer did assault someone. Though he did have a feeling that there was more to this story. Besides it might be better to keep Lanna locked up until this mess gets straightened out. Seven followed Tuvok as he led Lanna away, unwilling to leave her love alone while she stayed in the brig.

"Come on, Captain. Let's have you looked at." Chakotay refered to the broken nose as he led Janeway to sickbay.

Part 7

The following morning Lt. Tuvok finally allowed visitors in the brig. Last night Seven was unable to accompany B'Elanna inside the brig for some security reason. But none the less she camped out outside the brig waiting to be allowed in. Neither woman had heard form the Captain since the night before but no one could tell if that was a good thing or bad. When Seven finally entered the brig she saw only one guard who stood unobtrusively off to the side going over some data. Lanna herself sat in one of the cells on the bunk with her face in her hands. Seven gave a slight nod of acknowledgement to the guard as she walked past. She stopped and stood in front of the force field that separated her from her love.

"Lanna?" Seven whispered sounding almost afraid to speak.

"Seven?" Lanna jumped off her bunk at the sound of the most angelic voice she had ever heard. "How are you?"

"I am... functioning."

"How are you really feeling?" B'Elanna asked not at all fooled.

"I miss you. And I am sorry that this happened to you." Seven whispered, only able to tell the truth to this woman.

"Seven, are you in love with me?" B'Elanna had to ask even though she feared the worst. It could have been that Lanna had read too much into their relationship and Seven was going to tell her so. Seven was going to say she was in love with Janeway and that her answer would be....

"Yes." Was the only answer Seven could think to say.

"What?!" Lanna had to make sure she was hearing things right.

"I said yes. I love you Lt. B'Elanna Torres." Seven declared with a surety and bravery that she did not feel.

"Then I'm not sorry for anything that has happened recently. I'm not sorry for hitting the Captain. I'm not sorry for letting you explain things. And least of all, I'm not sorry for loving you back." Seven seemed to bring the romantic side out of anyone including half Klingons.

"But I am sorry for... You love me back?" Seven caught on late but smiled the biggest smile anyone had ever seen on the ex-drone's face when she realized what Lanna had said.

"Yes." The only answer possible for Torres was a simple one. "I love you."

Both she and Seven were now standing at the force field. B'Elanna had put her hand up against the force field palm facing out and Seven had unconsciously mimicked the action.

"But how can you love me when I betrayed our love with Katherine?" Seven asked in hushed tones.

"You slept with the Captain?!" B'Elanna said a little too loudly, then repeated it softer. "You had sex with the Captain?"

"No, but I did kiss her." Seven admitted reluctantly

"Wait. Something just doesn't add up. If you say you love me and you're not the type of person to go around kissing others I can't imagine you just kissing the Captain. Did by any chance the Captain initiate the kiss?" Lanna began to get the picture.

"Yes, but I allowed her to kiss me for 1 minute and 48 seconds before I fled her quarters."

"Then it's settled. You didn't betray me or our love. If I'm not mistaken, you do have strong feelings for the Captain even if it's not love. And because of these strong feelings you were reluctant to hurt her. I would guess that being new to these types of situations and feelings you were unsure of how to act when the Captain kissed you. You knew that if you pulled away you would hurt her feelings but if you continued to kiss her you would hurt me. Did you want to kiss her?" B'Elanna was better at these emotional talks than she thought.

"No." Seven adamantly denied.

"Then I understand and don't blame you for what happened. In fact I now wish the Captain would come pay me a visit so that I could truly tell her what I think of her for taking advantage of you like that. The Captain should not have put you in that position. " Lanna's protective streak was rearing i's head again.

"But perhaps the Captain did not know how I truly felt about her and wished to determine where our relationship stood." Seven couldn't help but defend her friend and mentor.

"Well then, I think it's time you had a little talk with Janeway to explain exactly where she does stand. I wouldn't want to have to kill Janeway AND Paris. And don't you think for one second I forgot about Paris being responsible for you getting hurt in the holodeck. He's just lucky I hadn't bumped into him yet because when I do, he's getting bumped right out an airlock." B'Elanna concluded leaving Seven hoping that she could talk to Janeway and Paris before Lanna did. Because spending the rest of 'their' lives in the brig would be an inefficient use of time.

"I will go talk with the Captain. I will explain to her my feelings for you and see that she drops the imprisonment sentence. Holding you in the brig indefinitely seems a bit harsh for the circumstances." 'Then I will speak will Lt. Paris.' Seven thought but dared not say it allowed.

Seven spun on her heals and charged out of the brig before Lanna could say goodbye.

"Now there's a woman on a mission." Lanna smiled her comment to the guard on duty. "I just hope that she doesn't get thrown in here with me for upsetting the Captain. On second thought, that might not be such a bad idea." Lanna now knew how to spend her time in prison; thinking of what it would be like locked up with that beautiful, statuesque woman.

Meanwhile, outside the brig, stood Tom Paris and Lt. Tuvok arguing. Well, at least Tom was arguing while Tuvok stood there impassively listening.

"Damn it, Tuvok. I want to go in and see Lanna. I want to see if she's alright. Only I know that she hates confined place and that she needs comfort." Tom thought he was the only one who knew forgetting that Tuvok once served in the maquis with her.

"She appears to be cooping well with the circumstances, Lt. I recently checked on Lt. Torres and ascertained that she is physically and emotionally stable." Tuvok answered calmly not showing how truly irritated he was becoming.

"But Tuvok, 'I' need to see her. I guess being Vulcan with no emotions limits you from understanding that I still do have feelings for Lanna. And I know she still feels something for me. She needs me and I need to see her." Tom tried explaining his love to an emotionless Vulcan.

Just then Seven comes barrelling out of the brig almost knocking Paris on his ass. Fortunately for him Seven still needed him alive so they could have their little talk. But first she needed to straighten things out with the Captain. Leaving the two men with an acknowledging, "Lt's.", Seven continued on her way.

"You let HER in to see Lanna and not me?!" Paris raged on. "You won't let me in to help B'Elanna calm down but you let that borg drone in only to upset poor Lanna more?!"

Now instead of becoming irritable, Tuvok was becoming a little worried (as much as Vulcans can worry). Either Tom was blind or he was beginning to have delusions. Which ever it was, Tuvok was seriously considering bringing Tom down to see the Doctor.

"If you must know, I allowed Seven in to see Lt. Torres because the Lt. had requested it. I was inclined to allow it because this situation does involve Seven of Nine. But because the Lt. did not request to see you nor does this involve you in anyway, I see no reason to allow the visit." Tuvok didn't mention that he thought Tom would only aggravate the situation even more. Nor did he mention that he violated the Captain's orders of allowing no visitors and was not about to do so again for Tom's sake. Tuvok made a command decision that allowing Seven to see B'Elanna might help the situation resolve itself. He also did not agree with the way the Captain was handling the incident.

"What?! It's all about Seven isn't it? I bet you anything that it's because of Seven that Lanna landed in the brig. Why don't you go and ask Lanna if she wants to see me and then you can just let me in when she says yes. Don't worry, I'll wait right here."

"Mr. Paris, you will be waiting a long time as I now have other duties to attend to. When I go see Lt. Torres again I will be sure to relay the message." Tuvok said right before he turned and left Paris standing behind. Tuvok just hoped that Seven appreciated everything he was doing for her. Even though he hated getting involved in human affairs, he did look upon Seven as a daughter and that meant he would do anything for her, even get involved in love quarrels.

Walking the corridors and then riding in the turbolift, Seven found herself with lots of time to think. Well, lots of time for someone with enhanced brain function. Seven found that most of her feelings and thoughts had been resolved after the talk she had with Lanna. No longer did she feel worried that her feelings of affection would not be returned. No longer was she afraid of rejection or being made a fool of. True she still felt the tingles in the stomach, the speeding up of her heart, and the light-headedness when around Lanna but those were all pleasant feelings. Now she only had one thing left to worry about and that was how to resolve the issue of Captain Janeway without hurting her. Perhaps, Seven thought, it would have been best if she paid a visit to the Doctor first before seeking out Janeway. Unfortunately Seven had that last thought just as the turbolift doors opened up on the bridge. With a renewed determination, Seven exited the lift and upon not seeing Janeway present headed straight for her ready room.

Part 8

The Captain was sitting at her desk with her head in her hands. After the incident last night and being checked out by the Doctor, Janeway wanted to talk with Seven, to apologize and explain things. But every time the Captain asked where Seven was the computer gave the same response, 'Seven of Nine is located directly outside the brig'. It appeared that Seven always kept in close proximity to the brig because not once did the computer reply that Seven was on deck 8 section 14. After hearing the computer reply that same damned answer ten times over, in a period of two hours, the Captain found that even if she tried to fall asleep she wouldn't be able to. So she ended up in her ready room, wondering when exactly she had lost Seven to B'Elanna. But did she really have Seven to begin with? The Captain knew that Seven must have stayed near the brig the entire night and into the morning because she did check on Seven's location every once in a while. Although the last time the Captain did check on Seven it was five in the morning. She just couldn't take hearing that cold voice reply once again that Seven was near the brig.

Suffice it to say, that Janeway was surprised to find Seven coming through the ready room doors unannounced. Some things never change and Janeway was thankful for that. Her slight smile faltered at Seven's first words to her.

"Captain, may we sit at your couch?"

"Back to Captain already, Seven? Have I hurt you that much?" Katherine asked as she led Seven over to the couch.

"Captain, I can not lie to you because I still do care and respect you. You have hurt me even though I know you did not mean to just as I do not wish to hurt you but I fear I will. Unfortunately, you must hear what I have to say so that no one else will get hurt needlessly. Recently, I have come to realize that I am in love with B'Elanna Torres long before I even understood what love was. When you kissed me I felt like I had betrayed the love I have for Lanna. Captain, Katherine, I do respect you, admire you, and think of you as my only family but I can not give you my heart because it already belongs to another."

By the end of her emotional outpouring, Seven had realized that she now held the Captain's hands in her own. Seven was all new to this but figured that she was just going on instinct. Katherine had one or two tear drops sliding down her face as she tried to control the overwhelming sense of being too late and losing something very special.

"Are you sure what you feel for B'Elanna is love?" Katherine had to ask though her voice sounded rough from all the emotions she was so desperately trying to contain.

"Because, Katherine, after all my research into the subject of love and analyzing the data I collected on human mating rituals I still was unable to figure out a proper definition of what love is. It was not until I began to analyze my thoughts and feelings for B'Elanna that I was able to put words to the emotion of love. For me love is the lonely feeling I feel when not around Lanna despite being in a crowded room. Love is the 'butterflies in the stomach' feeling I get when I am around Lanna. Love is being able to forgive Lanna for being the one single person on this ship who has hurt me the most. Love is the understanding I give Lanna when I can not comprehend what she means. Love is being able to listen to Lanna when she has anything to say at anytime. Love is the unconditional love I can give to Lanna even during the times I hate her. Love is the opposite of hate and I do not hate Lanna therefore I must love her. I love B'Elanna Torres with all that I am and all that I am not. She is my perfection, my omega molecule. I love her intelligence, her dry wit, her dedication, her loyalty, her passion, but I also love her temper, her impulsiveness, her aggression, her attitude, and her protective streak no matter how unnecessary it is. I love the good and the bad. It is not something that happened it is just something that is."

If Katherine had any doubts about Seven not being emotionally ready or not having the understanding of complex human emotions, she was wrong and she certainly had none now. Janeway was so moved by the empowered speech that she no longer felt it worth a fight to tear B'Elanna and Seven apart. In truth, Katherine only wanted to have Seven happy and if being with Torres was what would make her happy then who was Janeway to stand in the way. The Captain was willing to let Seven go and settle with just being friends or even family to Seven but none the less Katherine knew she had lost something very precious, something she would regret losing for the rest of her life.

"Seven are you sure you never assimilated a poet because you could very well pass for one." The Captain said even as she had fresh tears sliding down her cheeks, moved beyond words from Seven's speech on love.

"If I did Captain, his knowledge would have been deemed irrelevant and discarded." Seven replied. Even though she knew Katherine was joking, Seven wanted to make sure that she understood that this is what she felt not a poet or anyone else.

"I understand Seven. I want you to know that although I am sorry for the pain I have caused you, I can not be sorry for loving you. I know that you can not love me back but I do hope that we can remain friends. I only want you to be happy and if B'Elanna makes you happy then I wish you both the best of luck."

Seven took Katherine's face in her hands and leaned in to place a chaste kiss on the other woman's lips.

"I am sorry that this is hurting you but I am glad that we can still remain friends."

"Always, Seven, always." The Captain wrapped her arms around the borg turned human basking in being able to hold her love close even if it was only a platonic hug.

"Captain, there is another matter I wish to speak with you about." Seven said as she backed slightly away from Katherine leaving her hoping that the worst was already over. It is about B'Elanna's imprisonment."

Janeway jumped up off the couch and began to pace the ready room floor. 'Now Seven wants to talk about Torres being in prison?' After all it was B'Elanna who stole Seven from me and then hit me, a commanding officer, for it.' Apparently, Seven surmised that this was a sore point for the proud Captain.

"You want me to release her from the brig, don't you Seven? Well, I can't do that. After all she did commit a crime and must be punished accordingly." Janeway's temper began to rise.

"I do not wish for you to release B'Elanna from prison but as you have said it yourself, she must be punished accordingly."

"Are you insinuating that I am not dealing with this situation appropriately?" If Seven thought Klingon tempers were bad she hasn't seen anything yet.

"I..." Seven was thankfully interrupted by the chime to the door.

Seven had never had a reason to sigh from relief before but there was a first time for everything. Janeway called for whoever to enter and in walks Tuvok. Janeway had to wonder about his timing.

"Tuvok. What can I do for you?" The Captain tried to school her temper.

"I need to discuss a security matter with you, Captain."

"Can this wait?" Janeway wanted to finish her conversation with Seven.

"No, I'm afraid not.

"Alright. Seven you're dismissed but I would like to continue our little talk at a later time."

Seven nodded to both officers after being dismissed and walked out of the room. As Seven walked across the bridge all eyes were trained on her. Stopping right in front of the aft engineering station, even turned to Chakotay who stood in front of the Captain's chair.

"Thank you Commander. Although you are human you're timing is impeccable. I would have preferred a minute sooner but I am grateful for the interruption none the less."

"Anytime, Seven, anytime." Chakotay smiled realizing that he couldn't put anything past the borg not even a minor planned interruption.

Seven continued on her way into the turbolift left with only one more errand to run. She left a very quiet but smirking bridge crew behind.

Meanwhile, back in the Captain's ready room, Tuvok and the Captain were heatedly talking about Lt. Torres's imprisonment. Tuvok logically pointed out that the Captain was too emotionally involved causing an over reaction on her part. Tuvok pointed out that the punishment does not fit the crime and that only a five day incarceration and a reprimand noted in the computer logs would suffice. Also the no visitors command was a bit extreme and Tuvok managed to talk Janeway into agreeing to change the punishment. Just as soon as Janeway agreed, Tuvok noted the change in status of the prisoner in the computer logs. Unfortunately, Tom also caught wind of the change almost immediately and set off to finally go see B'Elanna.

Part 9

Tom was in the mess-hall pouring over some sort of data on a pad. This was the first time most of the crew had ever seen Tom so studious, so they decided to leave him to his work. Actually, Tom could be very studious, but only when the purpose served him and this time was no different. On the data pad was the current information regarding the arrest and imprisonment of B'Elanna Torres. Tom figured that since he wasn't able to see B'Elanna then he'd have to be the knight in shinning armor coming to her rescue. Tom was looking for a loop hole in which to get Lanna out of the brig when he noticed a change. The status of the prisoner went from no visitors to visitors allowed. Now Tom didn't need Tuvok's permission to go see Lanna and he wondered why he was still in the mess-hall with some stupid pad. Paris jumped up from his seat and headed out of the mess-hall, plan of freeing Lanna forgotten. Stepping into the turbolift, Tom ordered the lift to deck 3 (crew's quarters) instead of deck 8 (the brig). Tom needed to pick up something from his quarters because he had a plan to put into effect when he went to visit B'Elanna. Did anyone really expect Tom to just pop in on Lanna and say hi? No Tom had something special planned for his little visit.

About five minutes after Paris had left the mess-hall, Seven of Nine walked in. She scanned the crowd obviously looking for something but when she didn't find it she questioned the computer.

"Computer locate Tom Paris." Seven ordered with something that resembled a sigh.

"Tom Paris is in his quarters." The computer replied nonplussed.

Seven upon hearing the answer, turned and left the mess-hall once again in search of Lt. Tom Paris.

Tom gathered up what he needed rather quickly, and immediately left his quarters heading straight for the brig. Little did he know, he had an ex-drone looking for him and that he certainly didn't want her to find him in the brig.

Tom quickly made his way to the brig and almost ran right through the doors in his excitement. Inside the brig, stood the one guard and the one active cell B'Elanna was in. Paris walked right up to the guard, announcing that he was here to visit with Lanna. This of course not only got the attention of the guard, but also that of B'Elanna's who immediately stood up and went as close to the force field as possible. Torres let off a low growl and began to beg Kahless to cause the force field to all of a sudden fail. Tom noticed none of this as he was too busy taking in hushed tones with the guard putting his plan to work.

"Ensign, I know this is against the rules and regulations but I want to be allowed into the cell with Lanna. I know what you're going to say but how about I just give you this pad full of holographic porn to look at. And then when to turn your back you won't be able to see me lower the force field and step into the cell with Lanna. I promise you this is not an escape attempt and that even if Tuvok were to find out about this it wouldn't be a problem."

Ensign Harvey Padmore was not a man for breaking the rules. No one under Tuvok's command was. Nor was he a man that actually enjoyed holographic porn. It was just dirty. Ensign Padmore also knew that if he lowered the force fields and allow Lt. Paris to enter the cell, it would be like signing Tom's death warrant. But none of that mattered as Padmore took the pad and turned around. The ensign had very little respect for Tom and liked him even less. Paris treated all the crewmen under him like second class citizens. Tom thought he was above them and even acted like it sometimes. Harvey thought, no he knew, that Thomas Eugene Paris needed to be taught a lesson.

When the guard had turned his back, Tom leaned over the control panel and pressed a few buttons. One of the cells did open, but it wasn't the right one. Paris realized he was looking at the controls upside down and probably pressed a few wrong buttons. He looked over at Lanna and shrugged his shoulders while Lanna just stood there, waiting with a feral smile on her face. Just as he was about to correct his mistake, Seven walked into the brig. When Seven had found out that Tom was now located in the brig she became very angry. Now upon seeing what Tom was trying to do, Seven became furious. She stalked towards Tom, forcing him to walk backwards toward the cell that was now open. No one, including Tom, could see just how furious Seven was. Lanna may not have been able to see the change in emotion, but she of all people knew when Seven was ready to blow a fuse. Ensign Padmore still had his back to the group but now he had a huge smile on his face. Seven backed Tom all the way into the cell that he had previously opened and followed him in.

Harvey then 'accidentally' leaned back on the controls pressing a few key buttons that effectively brought the force field on-line. Now Tom was trapped in the cell with Seven of Nine, and if he thought that Lanna was the most dangerous person on the ship, he had another thing coming.

"Lt. Paris, explain your actions."

'God and I thought the Captain could cut duranium with her voice.' Tom thought as a sudden wave of fear enveloped him.

"Well,... I... uh..., hey, not that it's any of your business but I wanted to visit with Lanna. Not that you would understand but even after we broke up I still cared for her and I know she still feels the same for me." Tom was now angry that this ex-borg could frighten him let alone question what he was planning with B'Elanna. So instead of being smart he lashed out against Seven the only way he could and that was through verbal attacks.

"What?!" Lanna couldn't keep quiet any longer. "I do not still care for you. The only feelings I have towards you are feelings of hatred. You convinced the captain that the holodecks were safe to use and therefore I hold you personally responsible for what happened to Seven and all the hurt you caused her. You hurt her in more ways than you can even comprehend. And for hurting the woman that I love, the only thing I plan to do with you, is to kill you, you p'tach. You better count your lucky stars that you ended up in that cell with Seven instead of in here with me."

"You're in love with Seven, the Borg ice queen? How could you betray what we have with this thing?" Tom kept throwing insults at Seven, realizing that he was pretty safe. Seven wouldn't disregard protocol unless she felt it necessary and she wouldn't hit him because it was just an inefficient use of energy. But what Tom didn't know was that Seven was more than willing to play his game.

"Yes, she is in love with me. Perhaps she finds being with the Borg ice queen preferable to being with you."

Tom lost it after that. He wasn't prepared for Seven to insult his manhood and grew enraged because of it. Tom tried to throw a punch which Seven blocked easily but that was all that she was waiting for. Now that the first punch had been thrown with more on their way, Seven, using her fully human, took a good slug at Tom's face. Even though Seven's hand was human, she still did possess a great amount of strength. Tom's lip cracked open and began to bleed while Seven heard his cheek bone cracking. Seven could have used her Borg enhanced hand and caused a lot more damage, but she wouldn't have gotten the same satisfaction she did by punching Tom with her human hand. Still, Tom tried to take another swing at Seven but she retaliated with a knee to the groin. Tom collapsed to the floor moaning in pain, but at least he was no longer a threat (as if he ever was one). Seven looked over to where B'Elanna stood in her cell stunned. Her mouth was agape and her eyes were wide. But what caught Seven's attention was that Lanna's eyes were darting back and forth between the cell she was in and the door to the brig. When Seven turned to look at who was standing at the door to the brig, she almost rolled her eyes, almost. Of course, Captain Janeway and Lt. Tuvok would come walking into the brig just in time to see Seven having it out with Paris. Janeway ordered the guard to lower the force field and allowed Seven to step out. As soon as she was clear, Janeway ordered the force field up again leaving Tom in there huddled on the floor.

"Either you are a very lucky woman, Seven of Nine, or you're smarter than we ever gave you credit for. You managed to play Paris's insult game and then turned the tables on him. You managed to get him to swing first and can defend your actions by saying you were only defending yourself. You also managed to avoid the charge of excessive force when defending yourself by only using your human hand instead of your Borg enhancements. Bravo. I'm going to have a little chat with Lt. Torres about her sentence change. Tuvok, you can handle this assault case." Janeway left the two and headed for Lanna's cell.

"Seven of Nine. As the captain has stated I can not bring you up on any charges and neither can Mr. Paris. However, you can file charges against the Lt. for attempted assault." Tuvok stated his question.

"No, I do not want to file charges. I believe that Mr. Paris has finally come to an understanding and has learned a valuable lesson in the process. I do respectfully request that Mr. Paris be escorted down to sickbay to be looked at and given a time to 'cool down'."

"That is acceptable. I will escort Mr. Paris myself after I have a discussion with Ensign Padmore."

"Lt., belay that discussion. I think that the Ensign understands what he did here was wrong and that he shouldn't let it happen again. Because if it does, then he will be cleaning the Jeffries tubes the next time we need a guard to watch a prisoner. Is that clear enough for you,Ensign?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Tuvok, why don't you take Mr. Paris down to sickbay now and then when the Doctor is finished fixing him up please escort him to my ready room."

Tuvok left with a nod, following Tom out of the brig. Janeway then dismissed Seven, stating that B'Elanna was a prisoner after all and visiting hours were over. After Seven left, Janeway walked over to the force field holding Lanna inside her cell. She still had one more thing she wanted to say to the Lt.

"Lt. Torres, I wanted you to know that although I'm none too happy with the fact that you punched a superior officer, let alone me, I don't personally hold it against you. I might have done the same thing if our places were reversed. I just have one question for you. What's your favorite number?"

"What?!" Torres was surprised to still be in the good graces of her captain after all that's happened but she was dumbfounded as to why this woman wanted to know her favorite number.

"You're favorite number Lt., between 1 and 35. You do have one right?"

"Umm, yes. It's 23. Why?"

"Because if you ever end up intentionally hurting Seven, then I will personally throw you out of airlock number 23."

And the captain left B'Elanna to contemplate that little tid bit.

Part 10

According to the old Earth calendar, not only was it four days later and B'Elanna's release date but it was also Dec. 25, Christmas Day. Neither Tuvok nor the Captain had planned it that way but it turned out to be a nice Christmas present for Lanna. Seven had been by to visit only once and that was the day before. It seemed that with B'Elanna locked up in the brig Seven now had double the work load. Not only did she have her duties in astrometrics but now she had to pick up the slack in engineering left by the absence of it's chief engineer. This left Lanna with plenty of time to think. The engineer thought about how complete and how happy her life was now. Not only did she have her family and friends around her in a place that she could truly call home but now she had found the love of her life. But Seven hadn't been the only visitor that Torres had received. Two days before, Neelix had showed up to check on the reclusive half Klingon. He had asked about how she was doing which was to be expected but what wasn't expected was when he asked what B'Elanna was getting Seven for Christmas. Of course it had to be something big but what do you get an ex-borg for Christmas. Neelix made a couple of suggestions but nothing seemed just right. So finally he just suggested going around to the rest of the crew collecting replicator rations form everyone and leaving the final decision up to Lanna. Neelix rationalized that the rest of the crew still owed Seven a gift and if B'Elanna finally decided on something he was sure it was going to be big and expensive. Thank Kahless, Lanna had to spend four days in the brig other wise she may never have come up with an idea for Seven's gift.

Torres was scheduled to leave the brig at 1300 hours, right in the middle of the alpha shift. The only person she might have expected to see at that time was Seven of Nine. But thanks to a friendly Vulcan in engineering she was almost guaranteed that Seven would be kept busy. Thanks, of course, to a few logical distractions which Seven could not turn away from. In fact, that same friendly Vulcan also guaranteed that Seven would be kept busy for the next three hours of her shift and then one extra hour after that all with the help of a few other friends. Now Lanna just had to make sure she set up her gift for Seven in time. Her first stop was the mess-hall, to pick up the pad of rations Neelix promised to get her. Then it was on to the Cargo Bay.

Arriving at the Cargo bay, B'Elanna's first order of business was to get rid of Icheb. She sent him to go see the Captain, who would keep him busy for quite a while (her Christmas gift to Seven). Next it was onto decorating the bay. Lanna took a page from Seven's book and replicated a whole lot of Christmas decorations. Using red bows and silver garlands, the engineer decorated the bare walls. Mingled in were Christmas balls of all colours and gold tinsel thrown about. A christmas tree already stood off to the side, replicated and decorated by Icheb (his gift to Seven). The next order of business was to get Chakotay and Harry to carry in a small couch and small coffee table retrieved from storage. Lanna set up the couch in front of the dais and placed the table in front of that. Next the engineer brought in a small cardboard fireplace created and designed by Sam Wildman, the Doc, and Naomi. That was placed directly across form the couch. The fireplace may not have been real but it certainly brought a more homey look to the Cargo Bay. Then Lanna had to replicate a few presents for Seven and when that was done she set them down under the coffee table just waiting to be opened. There was now less then a half an hour left and a few minor additions to be made. That's when Neelix showed up with young Naomi in tow. Neelix handed over the plate full of Christmas cookies he made just the way B'Elanna had instructed him to. Naomi handed over a children's version of the Christmas classic A Christmas Carole by Charles Dickens. But before Neelix or the little Katarian could ask any questions Lanna quickly escorted them out of the bay.

Just as the Lt. had made some of the final adjustments Seven walked into what used to be her Cargo Bay. Seven had realized that something was up throughout her entire engineering shift. The way everyone was overly friendly towards her and trying to distract her by engaging her in idle conversations. Even though Seven knew they were distractions, she didn't know how to stop them not being as socially adept as she wished she was. But what really bothered her was the knowing smirks everyone kept giving her like they were keeping her out of some sort of secret that everyone else knew about but her. Walking into the bay she now knew what everything was all about. To say Seven was shocked was an understatement. Even though Seven had done something similar for the crew it had been all a holgraphic fantasy but this was all real.

"How?... Why?..." Was all Seven could squeak out.

"Well, the decorating was easy and thanks to the crew, done just the way I envisioned it. But tying to figure out a perfect Christmas gift for you was something else." Lanna said as she walked over to the couch. Both women sat down and B'Elanna leaned over to give Seven a quick kiss on the lips. "Merry Christmas Seven." Seven looked up to see where the mistletoe was but this time she didn't find any. Lanna just smiled. "As for the why, well, because you deserve it more than anyone I know. While you were able to give the crew a Christmas they would never forget you neglected to make this Christmas special for you. I made a promise to myself then to make this your first happy and memorable Christmas. So how about we open your presents." Lanna concluded feeling foolish for saying too much.

Seven nodded and picked up the first present. As she opened it Lanna explained what it was and why she was giving it to the ex-drone. "That there are three picture frames. In each frame is a picture of your new collective or family. The first being the Captain who saved you from the collective and who was the first to trust in you. The second is of Naomi who has now become such a constant, loving, and loyal friend to you. And the third being Icheb, the latest edition to your family unit." Seven then picked up the next box to open as B'Elanna took away the pictures and placed them on the table. "These here are empty picture frames which you can add pictures to as your family grows. Open that next box there. That's a, umm, picture of me. I was hoping that soon you'd like to add that to your collection of pictures." Lanna finished shyly.

"Lanna, that should have been the first picture you placed in a frame. You are the love of my life and the person I wish to now build my family around. I love you. Thank you." Seven leaned over and placed one of the most softest, sweetest kisses on Lanna's lips. The Lt. now had one of the most goofiest grins on her face but continued on anyway.

"Someone had mentioned to me recently how much they love it when you sign them to sleep so I thought that this children's song book might come in handy." Lanna had to clear her throat before explaining the next gift. "It's a, a book on Klingon Human mating. I was kind of hoping that one would come in handy as well." Lanna finished in a rush.

"Indeed." And that confession deserved a passion filled kiss delivered from Seven's heart directly to Lanna's leaving her feeling light-headed and breathless. "Thank you Lanna for already making this Christmas a happy and special one for me."

"Wait, it's not over yet." Lanna moved the presents out of the way and reached over the table to grab the plate full of cookies handing it to Seven. "Here, try this. Trust me. It tastes great, I taste tested it before you came in." Lanna then sat laying across the couch pulling Seven to lean back into her wrapping her arms around the ex-borg. Seven tried the cookies and in one moment realised the pleasures of taste. Lanna then reached over and grabbed the book that lay on the table.

"There's milk there to wash down the cookies if you want. And now for my last gift to you. This here is a Christmas classic. A book called A Christmas Carole by Charles Dickens. I believe that everyone at the academy was required to read this but I was introduced to this by my father. One Christmas day he took me in his lap just like this and told me he was going to read this story to me. We read a few chapters that Christmas and then a few more the next. It became sort of a Christmas tradition between us. But I never got to finish the book because he soon there after left us. I was never inclined to pick it up again, too many memories I guess but now I think I might want to continue that tradition with you. That is if you wouldn't mind me reading to you. I'd like to find out how this ends right along with you."

"Please." Seven whispered squeezing Lanna' hand to reassure her that this was the best idea for a gift she could ever ask for.

"Alright then. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens...."

And so B'Elanna began to read to Seven the Christmas classic beginning a new tradition between the two women that both were determined to see through to the end.