Star Trek Voyager: The Loving Game

Star Trek Voyager: The Loving Game (Chapter 78)

A/n: Happy Easter everyone! :D

“Seven, Harry!” The Captain exclaimed in relief as the transporter materialised Seven and Harry next to her in Sickbay, “Thank goodness, whatever you did worked…” She stopped abruptly in shock when she saw that the transporter had delivered more than she’d expected.

“Hello Captain.” Seven mumbled distractedly, placing a shaking hand on the biobed behind her for support before noticing the Captain’s disbelieving and horrified expression as she stared at the children. “I couldn’t leave them there…” She whispered brokenly to the Captain as she struggled to string her thoughts together in a coherent form as well as hold back torturous emotions.

The Captain shook her head to try to clear her sickened daze and tried to look at the Borg objectively. Pity of the kind she’d only felt once before closed her throat for a moment as she met eyes of the ragged band of mutilated children. Behind the obscuring layer of implants it was clear they were distraught and terrified. “No…no, of course you couldn’t.” She murmured to Seven understandingly, shooting the younger woman an emphatic look as she stepped cautiously towards the children. “I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway. You’re on my ship, U.S.S Voyager…” She saw the oldest boy’s eyes narrow slightly, they knew all that already but she said it anyway for her own reassurance.

The teenage boy stiffened even further as the two twins cowered behind him, staring at Janeway with identical wide eyes, and the girl allowed herself to huddle into his side. “What do you intend to do to us Captain?” he asked tightly, his jaw clenched with badly veiled fear.

Janeway’s face fell at his distrustful tone. “We just want to help you, that’s all. You have nothing to fear from us…”

“Borg…Borg do not experience fear!” The girl stuttered out, jumping back.

Seven breathed a resigned sigh as she rejoined the group. Janeway couldn’t help but feel surprised as they instantly accepted her, crowding around her anxiously as she spoke. “Disconnected drones do experience confusion and fear.” She advised them regretfully, “But you are as safe as I am here.”

“Will we be individual drones as you are Seven of Nine?” Second asked quietly, watching her intently.

“Yes, our situations are similar.” Seven answered softly with a hint of remorse in her voice.

“Then…” Third started to say but was interrupted by the swoosh of Sickbay’s doors as Chakotay ran in and embraced his wife unthinkingly.

“Seven…” He gasped out in overwhelming relief, clutching her to him as if he were afraid she’d return to the Cube if he let go.

Seven had to fight her natural inclination to relax completely into his arms as she heard the children gasp fearfully. “I’m fine, my love…” She whispered gently into his ear, stroking his arm gratefully as he understood and let her go. She turned hastily to the children in explanation, keeping her hand firmly on Chakotay’s arm. “Do not worry, the Commander is my husband. He will not harm any of us.”

Second’s gaze hardened as he looked at the couple and Seven flinched as she saw hurt and betrayal in his eyes. “So you came to our Cube not to assist us but to free your mate?”

Seven didn’t bother to resist the guilt that rose within her at his tone; she hadn’t helped them for selfless reasons, at less not at first. “Yes, that was my original motivation.” She answered honestly, her gaze unwavering. She allowed herself to take a breath as they all nodded slowly, understanding dawning. “Now that you are here, I truly wish to help you.” She added thickly, managing to suppress a cry of shock when one of the twins suddenly hugged her tentatively, hiding his face in her waist.