Star Trek Voyager: Their Human Errors

Star Trek Voyager: Their Human Errors (Chapter 9)

“One of the connective implants in your arm was slightly out of alignment, but I’ve corrected it now.” The Doctor informed Seven as he gave her one last quick scan with the tricorder, “You’ll need to be more careful when you’re crawling through Jeffries tubes, it was the shock you got from that malfunctioning gel pack that caused it…” He paused mid explanation as he realised she wasn’t listening to him as intently as she should have been. Her body had curled in on itself, her shoulders hunched and her legs already hanging off the bed, as if she were preparing to run away. “Seven?” he probed, snapping the tricorder off with a dry click.

The sound seemed to alert Seven, her gaze finally focusing as she straightened herself up on the biobed defensively. “Thank you Doctor.” In an intrinsically human gesture, and thus probably one she wasn’t consciously aware of, she brushed her hand tiredly against her forehead. “It won’t happen again.”

The Doctor responded with a doubtful frown, “It will if you don’t stop running yourself into the ground.” He said in exasperation, “You’ve been doing an insane number of shifts for weeks, ever since…” The words died in his throat as he saw her face close up and anger flared instantaneously within him. It wasn’t like Seven to avoid facing something and she’d developed the trait just as she was in danger! “I’ve got half a mind to go to the Captain and Commander Chakotay both and tell them to cut your workload for medical reasons…” He threatened half-heartedly.

Seven finally spun to face him, eyes flashing in warning as shame darkened her cheeks. “You will do no such thing.” She said icily before sighing as he turned away from her. Both of them knew he’d never say anything, but the shadow of the secret sat as stubbornly between them as a barbed wire fence, ready to prick either of them at any moment. “There is nothing wrong with me Doctor; I’ve always liked to work.” She reminded him, her demeanour softening.

The Doctor bit his lip pensively, “I know you do, but you also always take things to the extreme.” Both of them winced as they recalled their previous discussion, but the Doctor felt that, this time at least, he had to persevere and make his point. “Look, just because you’re unwilling to go ahead with more…social interaction at the moment…” He began carefully, “…doesn’t mean you can’t relax at all! You used to engage in hobbies didn’t you? Playing the piano, cooking…”

Seven took a deep breath as she stared him down defiantly. “I am just reassessing my options for relaxation at the moment Doctor.”

For once, the Doctor didn’t let her excuses distract him in the slightest. “Maybe going to the reception party for the Ledosian delegation tonight would help you reassess.” He countered, “The whole crew will be there at some point, there is no reason why you shouldn’t at least make an appearance.” He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he watched her head dip unhappily, “You’ll be fine at a big gathering like this, don’t worry.” He murmured kindly before releasing a heavy sigh, “Still, I wish you’d reconsider my proposal to remove…”

Seven shuddered under his grip as she shrugged it off, her whole frame freezing like the arctic ice her blue eyes suddenly resembled. “I believe I’ve already informed you of my final decision regarding that Doctor.” She said sharply before a sigh left her which seemed to give her body permission to sag in defeat. “As for tonight’s diplomatic function, the Captain has made it clear that my attendance is mandatory.” She admitted, not bothering to disguise her resentment. “The Ledosians are apparently interested in my warp theory expertise.”