Star Trek Voyager: Their Human Errors

Star Trek Voyager: Their Human Errors (Chapter 11)

Chakotay let a restive, uneasy, sigh leave his lips as he completed the last of the pre-flight checks on the shuttle he was taking to Ledosia. Now that he’d done everything productive he could to fill his time, he’d just have to wait for Seven’s arrival. The nerves that tightened around his gut at that thought as he left the shuttle to stand impatiently in the empty bay irritated him and he was starting to regret his impulsive decision to volunteer to take her to this conference. If the mere idea of spending a flight alone with her put him on edge, how was he supposed to relieve the burden of telling her about his, initially at least, unintentional spying, with any sort of composure that might lead to forgiveness?

He was just considering, in the more unscrupulous parts of his mind, how he could get out of this obligation he’d stumbled into with blind stupidly when the electrified swish of the shuttle’s bay’s large double doors heralded Seven’s arrival. She somehow managed to walk into a perfectly straight line towards the shuttle without looking up once from the PADD clenched in one hand. It took Chakotay clearing his throat before she even registered his presence, but her reaction was strong when she did see him. Her head snapped up, her feet unconsciously stumbling back a step. “You’re early!” she exclaimed.

Chakotay could’ve been offended by the incredulity of her tone, but when combined with her startled expression, such a contrast with her usual cool impassiveness, he couldn’t help but be amused. “You don’t have sole prerogative on being punctual you know Seven.” He teased, surprised by how easily both the jest and his wry smile came to his lips so soon after being so confused over her.

Seven kept her eyes on him for an instant, her cheeks tingeing with the palest of blush pinks in that split second, before her head ducked downward as it did when she feared an error, occupational or social. “I meant no offence Commander.” She said hastily.

Chakotay sighed guiltily; obviously she wasn’t prepared for the gentle banter he’d coaxed out of her the day before. Sometimes he wondered if that conversation in the Mess Hall had been a dream, or even a holodeck programme of his own. “I know that Seven.” He assured her softly, giving her a careful smile, “To be honest, you would have almost certainly beaten me here if I didn’t think of doing the pre-flight checks beforehand.”

Seven relaxed at bit at, taking a deep breath as her eyes swept over the shuttle. “An efficient strategy Commander.” She said approvingly, only now really meeting his gaze, “I presume we can then leave earlier than expected?”

“As soon as you’re ready.” Chakotay answered simply.

Seven picked up the small case she’d left at her feet, Chakotay thought that it looked more like a toolbox that a suitcase, but knowing Seven it probably served as both. “I am ready.” She told him brusquely, already striding for the shuttle’s door.

Chakotay chuckled to himself as he followed her. “Okay then.” He agreed, but when he saw her stiffen a little at the sound of his voice, seriousness came over him again and he reached out for her arm. “Seven…” He started, gripping her arm to snare her full attention, “You’re okay with me taking you to this conference aren’t you?”

Seven blinked at him in bemusement. “Of course I am Commander. I know you are a very capable pilot and your offer made my travelling to the conference feasible.” Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinised his face intently, searching his expression for an answer to her own question which she didn’t dare voice, why had he volunteered so fervently to give up his shore leave in favour of taking her to this conference? “Why do you ask?” she queried, her curiosity partially winning out.