Title : What Do You Name A Baby Borg? 
By:  Lorrie Miller 
Pairing : K/7
Summary : After Voyager rescues the Borg children, Harry and Seven
are given the job of taking care of the Borg infant Seven saved and sent
over to Voyager.
Time frame : During Season 6  following  "Collective"
Rating : PG 13

Usual disclaimer;  The great gods' Paramount and Viacom own Start Trek
and Voyager but not my imagination.


Part 1

     "Hush baby, hush." Samantha Wildman said softly, as she walked back and
forth in sickbay. But the tiny Borg baby they'd rescued along with Icheb,
Mezoti, Azon and Rebbi, cried and cried. She hadn't stopped for more then a
few minutes at a time all day. Sickbay's door wooshed open and the Doctor
walked in. He took his mobile emitter  off and went over to the Ensign.

     "No luck Samantha?"

     "No Doctor. None. I've tried everything. I've walked with her, fed her,
tried to burp her, changed her diaper, nothing works. She stops just long
enough to rest and then she starts up again. I'm worried she's not getting
enough time to regenerate."

     "I'm concerned about that too Samantha." He reached out for the infant.
"Here, let me try her for-" The sickbay door wooshed open and Seven of Nine
rushed in half carrying half dragging the Captain.

     "Seven, what happened?" He helped her lift Janeway on the biobed. The
Captain shoved them away.
     
     "I can get up on it myself." She growled.

     "I can see that. I repeat, what happened?"

     "The Captain and I were playing Velocity. She took a misstep and fell. I
believe she may have broken her ankle." Samantha came over, the baby still
in her arms.

     "Here Seven, take her, so I can assist the Doctor."

     "All right Captain, lay back and let me check you out." She leaned back,
bracing herself on her elbows. "All the way back Captain." He added. She
grumbled something under her breath and laid the rest of the way back on
the bed. "What was that Captain?" The Doctor asked.
     
     "Hmm? Oh nothing Doctor, nothing at all." She said.
     
     "Of course." He said, turning to get a scanner and his tricorder.

     "Where is Harry? I thought he was still-, OWWWW !" She yelped as Samantha
moved her leg to take her shoe off.

     "Captain I'm sorry."

     "That's OK Sam. I guess I twisted my knee a little too."

     "I think it's a little more then that Captain. Doctor, look at this
please. "

     "What is it Sam?" He asked, returning with his tricorder.

     "Look at the Captain's knee." It was starting to swell.

     "Very good Samantha, you're right." He ran his scanner over the knee and
ankle. "She has torn cartilage in the knee and the ankle has a small
fracture. I must say, Captain, when you do something, you don't do it in a
small way."

     "Just trying to keep you busy. This is really starting to hurt Doctor."

     "Of course, sorry Captain. You were asking about Ensign Kim. He was doing
well enough to go back to his quarters so I released him. He is off duty
for the rest of today and possibly tomorrow, unless their is an emergency."
He started to pick up a hypo when he stopped, and looked up for a second.
As though he was listening to something.

     "What is it Doctor?" Sam asked.

     "Is it my imagination or is it *quiet* in here?" Janeway looked at him
like he was crazy. Wildman on the other hand stopped and listened too.

     "You're right." They looked at each other.

     "The baby." They said together, looking over the Captain at Seven. She had
found a chair and was sitting holding the baby. And the baby was quiet.

     "Would someone please explain what's going on around here?" Janeway asked.

     "Captain, the Borg baby has been crying, almost, non stop since she got
here.  We've tried everything but nothing has calmed her, . . . . . . .
till now. " Wildman said, as the Doctor injected the Captain and started to
work on her leg.

     "Why didn't you tell me about this Doctor?" She asked.

     "I was preparing to Captain. But now, I'd like to see what happens with
Seven."

     Seven looked up from the baby and paid attention to what was happening on
the other side of the room.

     "Captain, I really do not have time to sit and hold an infant all day. I
have other duties. The other children, for example."

     "Seven, as you pointed out, Neelix has a talent for getting along with
children."

     "Probably because he is one himself." The Doctor said.

     "That'll be enough Doctor. Seven, I'm sure he can handle things till you
take over." She took a breath and continued. "Sam, go over and take the
baby for a moment, and see what happens." The Captain said. Wildman
carefully took the now sleeping baby from Seven. She cradled it in her arms
and waited. It took about 3 minutes for the baby to realize she wasn't in
Seven's arms. She opened her little eyes, looked at Wildman and started to
cry. Sam tried again, to calm her, but the baby only cried harder.

     "Samantha, give her back to Seven." Janeway sighed. Sam handed the baby
back to the former drone. The crying stopped almost immediately. Janeway
and the Doctor looked at each other, then Seven.

     "There Captain, all done. But I want to keep an eye on you for a little
bit. I'm still rather concerned about that knee." He adjusted the bed so
she could sit up a little.  "And I want you to stay off that leg for 24
hours. I'm taking you off duty for the rest of today and tomorrow." She
gave him a dirty look, but didn't argue. She'd learned a long time ago that
arguing with the Doctor was useless. "And no velocity for a week."

     "Yes sir." She sighed. "Seven, bring the baby over here. Let me try
holding her for a few minutes and see what happens."

     "Gladly." She got up from the chair and walked over to the Captain. She
handed the baby to Janeway and everyone held their breath. For a few
minutes, the baby was quiet but then she started to whimper a little and
that turned into a soft cry, which escalated to an all out scream. Seven
sighed and reached out for the infant.

     "Well, maybe after a little while, someone else can take over Seven, but
in the meantime, it looks like you have a new job." Seven just rolled her
eyes. "Think of her as the baby sister you never had." Janeway added.

     "Captain, there is one small problem here." The Doctor said.

     "What's that?"

     "Well we can't very well, send the baby down to the cargo bay. It's not
exactly the right environment for an infant."

     "The Doctor's right." Seven saw a chance to get out of the assignment and
jumped at it.

     "Perhaps, this assignment is not right for me after." Janeway gave her a
wry smile.

     "Good try Seven. You're still the best Borg for the job." She closed her
eyes for a minute. The medication the Doctor had given her was starting to
work and she was beginning to feel drowsy. "I think it's about time you got
your own quarters. I'll talk to B 'Elanna about setting an alcove set up
for you and a small one for the baby." Seven sighed again but gave up.

     "Yes Captain."

     "I'm glad you agree." She said. "Lindsy's old quarters are empty. Dr. if
Harry's  feeling up to it have him move whatever is left of her things out
of it." She closed her eyes again.

     "Captain, I think it's time for you to take a little nap." The Doctor came
over and readjusted her biobed. "Seven, I'll have Sam help you take the
baby to your new quarters."

     "Thank you Doctor." Seven said. A slightly sarcastic tone in her voice.
Janeway looked up at her when she said it. "Captain, I'll see you later."
Samantha had gathered up a few *essentials* for the baby and was waiting
for her. "Shall we go Ensign?" Seven said. And she turned and carrying the
baby headed for the door.

     "Don't worry Captain, I'll stay with her for a while. Maybe between the
two of us we can get that little one down for a nap."

     "I hope so Sam. I just wish Seven was a little happier about this."

     "Now Captain, stop worrying. She get's along with Naomi, I'm sure she'll
bond with the baby too." The Captain nodded drowsily but still didn't look
convinced. Sam gave her shoulder a gentle pat. "Don't worry. Get some rest.
I'll be here when you wake up." Janeway nodded, and closed her eyes. She
fell asleep before Samantha was out the door.

****************************************
     "Thanks for helping me Tom." Harry said as he gathered up the last few
things left on Lindsy's dresser. Tom looked over at him from across the
room. He could see how depressed Harry was getting.

     "That's OK Har. Glad to help. What did the Doc say exactly anyway?"

     "Just that if I was feeling up to it, the Captain, has someone for
Lindsy's old quarters and she wanted it cleaned out."

     "That's it huh?"

     "That's it." He looked down at the picture he was holding. It just
happened to be one of him and Lindsy on shore leave. "Good bye Lindsy." He
said softly, and put the picture face down in the box he was using. He felt
Tom's hand on his shoulder.

     "Why don't you keep that Har? I think Lindsy would've wanted you to." He
said in a soft voice. He heard a snuff come from the man standing in front
of him. Harry pulled a forearm across his face, then running a gentle
finger over the back of the frame, he closed the box, shaking his head. Tom
shrugged and picked up his box.

     "Come on, let's get this stuff stowed away and I'll buy you a beer at
Sandrines." Harry looked at him and smiled.

     "Sounds good." They started to walk toward the door. "Hey I thought you
were out of replicator rations?"

     "Chakotay couldn't sleep last night."

     "How many games?" Harry asked, chuckling.

     "Three in a row. I'm tellin ya Harry, that man doesn't know when to give
up."

     "He should stick to Poker. Pool just isn't his game." Harry added. They
both started to laugh. Just as they got to the door, it opened and Sam and
Seven were standing there. Tom watched the expression on Harry's face
change. *He still has a thing for her.*  He thought to himself. Then they
both saw the baby.

     "Hi Sam, Seven." Tom said. "Seven, what are you doing with the Borg baby?"
Tom asked.

     "Holding it Ensign." she snapped, and moved past him into the room. Tom
looked at Samantha. "What's going on Sam?" He asked softly.

     "We've been having a hard time with the baby. She wouldn't stop crying."

     "Did the Captain try? She used to be able to get Naomi to settle down."

     "Not even the Captain could do it. She tried. To make a long story short,
I had to assist the Doctor and I just handed the baby to Seven. I didn't
even think about it. Then while we were working on the Captain -"

     "Wait a minute, you were working on the Captain? What happened to her? Is
she OK? Does the Doc need me?"

     "She's OK, she was playing Velocity with Seven and she messed up her leg.
Nothing serious." Harry had followed Seven over to the couch while Tom and
Sam were talking.

     "So keep going."

     "Well, like I said, I handed her to Seven and the next thing we knew the
baby had stopped crying. Tom, Seven is the only one she settles down for."
Harry walked back over to them.

     "Ah Sam, I think she needs a new diaper." He reached for the bag Samantha
had in her hand.

     "You gonna show her how Har?" Tom asked. A smile on his face.

     "Yeah, I think I will. I've done it enough times for Naomi. Right Sam?"

     "Go for it Harry." She said. Harry smiled and headed over to the couch.
Tom shook his head.

     "He just never gives up does he?" Sam looked up at him.

     "Did you?"

     "What do you mean?" Tom looked at her, confused.

     "Oh come on Tom, I knew you had a thing for B 'Elanna right from the
start." Tom started to object, then looked at Samantha and knew it was
useless.

     "OK, you're right, but I'll deny it if you tell anyone else." The baby let
out a squak and they both looked over at Harry and Seven.

     "No Seven, not like that." Harry said. Tom looked at Sam.

     "Maybe we should give the new couple a little privacy." He whispered. Sam
smiled and gave him a playful punch in the arm.

     "You're bad, Tom Paris." She said. Then, "Harry, Seven, I'm going to help
Tom take these boxes to storage and then he's going to help me bring some
of the baby's things down here." Up till that point Seven had obviously
been in a bad mood. But now Tom could see the change in her. She was
watching Harry with a look on her face Tom had never seen.  And then he
remembered how concerned she'd been about him while he was in sickbay a few
hours before. Something was going on here.

     "I am?" Tom looked at Sam. "I've changed my mind. I want to stay and
watch." Samantha took him by the arm.

     "You are." She hissed. "Will you two be all right for a while?" She asked
Harry.

     "We'll be fine Sam." Harry said. "Tom, I'll collect on that beer a little
later."

     "You bet you will buddy." He said as Samantha picked up the other box of
Lindsy's things and ushered him out the door.

****************************************
     "Doctor?" Chakotay walked into sickbay and called the EMH.

     "In here Comdr." He called from his office. Chakotay walked into the
office and sat down.

     "What's this I hear about the Captain being injured? And why wasn't I
informed?"

     "Calm down, Cmdr. It's a simple leg injury. She and Seven were playing
Velocity and she tripped. I was just finishing up my report and then I was
going to contact you, myself. How did you find out?"

     "I ran into Samantha a few minutes ago. Is the Captain still here?"

     "Yes she is. I wanted to keep her here for a few hours to make sure my
patch job holds."

     "You're starting to sound like Tom." Chakotay said.

     "Comdr. if you're going to get insulting I'll deactivate myself." Chakotay
smiled.

     "She's on biobed one. I gave her something to *help* her sleep for a
while, but you can go sit by her for a bit, if you like."

     "I think I will. Ahh, when can she get out of here?"

     "As soon as she wakes up. I do want her to take tomorrow off though. She
needs to rest her ankle and knee for at least 24 hours. And a little actual
time off won't hurt her either."

     "Her knee? How badly did she hurt herself?"

     "She tore cartilage in the knee and fractured a bone in her ankle.
Nothing serious. It's just enough to slow her down for a while." Chakotay
whistled softly.

     "I think I'll stick with pool. It's safer." He got up. "Thank you Doctor."
and went out to sit by the Captain.

****************************************
     "Are you sure the infant is safe on the bed like that?" Seven asked. As
Harry walked her back into the living room.

     "I'm positive."

     "But I'm afraid she will roll off the bed."

     "Seven, she can't turn over on her own yet. How can she roll off the bed?"
She looked at him for a minute, thinking about what he'd said. "Come on.
Let's get out of here and let her sleep. Besides, I think you could use a
break yourself." He ushered her out of the bedroom. She looked back over
her shoulder again.

     "What if she starts to cry?"

     "Look if it'll make you feel better, we can leave the door open. OK? Now
come on, before we wake her up." He walked Seven out to the couch and sat
her down. "I'm going to get myself some coffee. Do you want something?"
Seven just looked toward the bedroom.  Harry studied her for a second. It
dawned on him that this wasn't the same person who had marched into the
quarters an hour ago. When she'd come in she was
carrying the baby like a football. But by the time he had persuaded her to
put the now sleeping infant on the bed, she was holding it the way he'd
seen Sam hold Naomi, so many times.

     "How about some tea?" She finally nodded yes. He got the coffee and tea
and came back to the couch. He handed her the tea and sat down next to her.
"So, tell me, what's the baby's name?" She took a sip of her tea.

     "She does not have a name. She does not even have a designation yet."

     "You're kidding?" She shook her head. "No I guess you're not. Well, we
can't just keep calling her *the baby*. We need a name for her. Any
suggestions?"

     "No." She took another sip of her tea. Harry thought for a couple of
minutes.

     "Well, how about Annika? I mean you're not using it right now." She looked
at him. "What do you think?"

     "I suppose it would be acceptable." She took another sip of her tea. She
sat back on the couch and looked at him. Looking at her Harry wondered if
it was his imagination or did she look tired. "Ensign, where did you learn
so much about infants?"

     "Samantha taught me." He sat back on the couch with her. "I did a lot of
babysitting for Naomi when she was tiny."

     "Oh? Were you and she romantically involved?"

     "No. Nothing like that. Sam and I are just very close friends." He thought
back to when he'd brought Naomi from the Videan besieged Voyager to the one
he was on now. The look on Sam's face the first time she held Naomi, was
something he'd never forget.   "We had different schedules and I was able
to help her out. That's all." He remembered how patient she'd been with him
in the beginning. The diapers were hardest for him, but he'd mastered even
that.

     He looked at Seven. Her eyes were starting to drift shut. He was
surprised. It was the first time he'd ever seen her asleep, with the
exception of her alcove. Gently he took the half full tea cup out of her
hands and sat it on the table. He watched her sleep for a while. Her face
had taken on a peaceful expression he'd never seen before, not even in her
alcove. He got up and eased her head down on a pillow and then lifted her
legs up on the couch. Looking around he found an old afghan that was
Lindsy's. *Tom must have forgotten it.* He thought. He got it and put it
over Seven. Then he did something he'd never done before. He bent over and
brushed a gentle kiss on her cheek and wished that he could spend more time
like this, with her.

     "Sleep well Seven." He said softly. "I have a feeling you're gonna need
it." And he went to peek at Annika.

     Chakotay walked over to the biobed the Captain was on and sat down. She
looked a little pale to him. But after all they'd been through in the last
24 hours it was understandable. She'd been under a tremendous amount of
stress, and unfortunately for her, in this case, her way of relieving
stress was to do something physical, like play Velocity with Seven. He
gently brushed back a lock of her hair and stroked her forhead.

     "Kathryn, what am I going to do with you?" He said softly.

     Getting up he went over to the replicator, got some coffee for himself and
sat back down next to the biobed. He'd been there for a couple of hours and
was actually starting to doze off himself when he heard a little groan come
from the Captain. Her eyes fluttered a little and then opened. She looked
up at him with a confused expression.

     "Hello sleepy head."

     "Mmmmmmmm." She closed her eyes again and muttered, "You're not Samantha."


     "I certainly hope not." He said with a smile. "How do you feel?" She
looked at him.

     "Kind of groggy. And my throat hurts." He got up and went to get her some
water.

     "That's from the sedative. Here, take a sip." He helped her sit up a
little and offered her the straw. She took a couple of sips and then
Chakotay eased her back. "Easy Kathryn. You can have some more in a
minute."

     "How long have I been asleep?" She asked.

     "A couple of hours."

     "And how long have you been sitting here?"

     "A couple of hours."
     
     "Chakotay." She admonished him."I'll be fine now. I want you to"

     "Kathryn, I'm going to take you home, as soon as the Doctor releases you.
You're off duty for the next 24 hours." She gave him one of her looks. "And
don't you start with the Captain's glare. It never has worked with me and
it's not going to now either." She opened her mouth to say something, but
he cut her off. "Oh and you can forget trying to give me a direct order
either, because your not in command right now. You are going back to your
quarters and take it easy. And that's an order."

     "Oh, and as acting Captain, I take it you're going to make sure I follow
that order?"

     "You bet." She looked up at him and smiled.

     "Well, I guess things could be worse. I can get caught up on some of my
reports." Chakotay frowned.

     "I don't think so Captain." The Doctor walked over to her bed and started
to scan her knee. "When I prescribe rest, that is exactly what I mean. REST
! Not sitting on the couch with your leg propped up on the coffee table
reading reports and drinking coffee." Chakotay started to chuckle. The
Captain gave him one of her looks and he just laughed a little harder. He
finally got control of himself and asked the EMH,

     "Doctor is she ready to go home?" The EMH looked up at Chakotay and
nodded.

     "Yes, if you're going with her Comdr."

     "Oh I intend to." He said.

     "Helloooo." The Captain said, making a fist and knocking on the side of
her bed. "Don't I have any say in this?"

     "No." Both Chakotay and the Doctor said in unison.

     "That's what I thought." She looked up at her first officer. "Well, how
are we gonna do this?" Chakotay leaned over and scooped her up in his arms.

     "Doctor would you call the transporter room for me please?"

     "Gladly." He tapped his com badge. "Doctor to transporter room."

     *Yes Doctor.*

     "Would you please lock onto Cmdr. Chakotay and the Captain and beam them
to the Captain's quarters?"

     *Yes sir, right away. Energizing.*

     "Remember Captain, REST!" He said as they dematerialized.
****************************************

     Harry drained his second cup of coffee and put the finishing touches on
his report to the Captain, concerning the Borg ship. Just as he was trying
to decide if he wanted another cup he heard a little sound from the
bedroom. He glanced at Seven. She was still sound asleep. He'd called the
Doctor about it earlier and he said it was nothing to worry about. That,
like eating and drinking, sleeping would eventually come to Seven also. He
smiled. She looked so peaceful. Then he heard another noise from the
bedroom. This time it was a little louder and more insistent. Annika was
waking up. He got up and walked into the bedroom. The baby was starting to
fuss.

     "Hey little one, what's up?" He said softly. "I'll bet you need a change."
He decided not to check. At least not the way Sam did. He thought back to
the first time she had him change one of Naomi's diapers.

     "Oh come on Harry, it's not that bad."

     "Samantha Wildman, there is no way in hell, I'm gonna stick my finger in a
diaper,  like that to see if it's wet, or worse !"

     "Well, how else are you gonna find out?"

     "I'll get a scanner and medical tricorder from the doc."

     "Oh for Pete's sake." She snorted. "Harry by the time you do all that, you
could have the diaper off and a new one almost on."

     "Well, I'm sorry but I just can't do it your way."

     "I still can't." He said softly, a little smile on his face. He reached
down and just took the old one off. "I had a feeling." He said to himself
as the smell hit him. As he cleaned the tiny baby, he said, "I swear,
Annika, you're as bad as Naomi. I think you women save these up for me."
The baby laid there listening to him as he worked.

     "There, all done. Now let Uncle Harry get rid of the stinky one and we're
all set." He came back, and after wrapping the baby back up in her blanket
he scooped her up and walked into the living room. He hadn't been paying
attention to Tom and Sam when they'd brought the baby to Lindsy's quarters,
so he didn't realize just what the problem had been with the baby in the
first place. He didn't know that up till now, nobody but Seven had been
able to hold the little almost Borg. He walked over to the replicator.

     "One bottle of formula for baby Borg." He grimaced as he said it.
"Computer, change that to formula for baby Annika."

     *Acknowledged.*

     The bottle appeared. He checked it on his wrist, just to be on the safe
side. Sam had always done that too. Then grabbing a small towl, he sat down
in one of the chairs and started to feed the little one. He'd asked Seven
why the baby was able to eat so soon, especially since the other children
couldn't yet.

     "She has only been assimilated for a very short time. Her system is
changing back more rapidly then the other children, because she has been
assimilated for such a short time." Had been her answer. He cuddled the
baby a little closer. He hadn't fed a baby like this in a couple of years,
but it was all coming back to him. He put the towl on his shoulder and
after a couple of ounces he took the bottle out of Annika's mouth, gently
and put her up on his shoulder. He started to pat her little back and a few
seconds later he heard the baby burp. So did Seven.

     "Ensign, when did the infant-"

     "Annika. We're calling her Annika, remember Seven? Oh and for that matter
as long as we're on the subject. I'm off duty, so it's Harry. Got it? Not
Ensign. Harry!"  He swore later, when he told Tom, she'd rolled her
eyes when he corrected her.

     " *Harry*, when did *Annika* wake up?" She said rather pointedly.

     "Ohh, about ten, maybe fifteen minutes ago. "

     "Why was I not-" That was when it dawned on her that she'd fallen asleep.
"Harry, what happened to me?" He smiled at her.

     "You fell asleep, lady. "

     "I did what?"

     "Fell asleep." He could see she was starting to get panicky. "Seven, calm
down.  It's no big deal. I called the Doc and he said it's natural and not
to worry about it. When you get a few minutes I'm sure you can discuss it
with him."

     "Yes, it is a 'big deal' and I most certainly w fun" Then she got back to
the matter at hand. "Well, my original question still stands, why was I not
informed that Annika had awakened? And why is she not crying?"

     "Hey, I may not be the best baby sitter in the world, but I think I can
handle a simple diaper change and a feeding without making the baby cry."

     "No, En-"

     "Ah ah ah."

     "Harry, you do not understand. The baby, Annika, would not stop crying for
anyone but me. That is why I was ordered to bring her here and care for
her."

     "You're kidding?" He said, looking down at the contented infant in his
arms. "She seems fine with me."

     "Yes she does. I don't understand this." She tapped her combadge. "Seven
of Nine to Ensign Wildman. "

     *Go ahead Seven, what can I do for you?*

     "Could you come to my quarters please?" At the mention of the quarters
being hers Harry's head came flying up and he looked at her in surprise.
Seven didn't miss the expression on his face.

     *I'll be right up. Wildman out.*

     "I see from the look on your face that you were not informed of my change
of residence, either." Seven said.

     "No. No I wasn't. " They sat there in silence. Harry kept feeding the
baby, while Seven sat on the couch and watched. A few minutes later the
door beeped.

     "Come on in Sam." Harry called out. Samantha came in and immediately saw
the quiet contented baby in Harry's arms.

     "I don't believe it." She said.

     "Neither did I." Seven said. "Ensign, please take the baby from Har -
Ensign Kim."  As Sam walked over to Harry, she winked at him. She hadn't
missed Seven's little slip up.

     "Here Harry, let me see if I can feed her." Harry stood up and as soon as
Samantha was comfortable, he handed Annika over to her. It was
unbelievable. As soon as the baby hit her arms, it was like someone threw a
switch. Her little face wrinkled up and she let out with a cry that
startled even Seven. Sam held her for a minute or two more, but the baby
was in full vjSti by that time.

     "Give her to Seven for a minute Sam." Harry said. Samantha got up and
brought the baby over to Seven of Nine.

     "Here Seven." She handed the baby gently over to the former Borg. Again,
it was like a switch had been thrown. The minute Annika was in Seven's
arms, she stopped crying.

     "Oh this is too weird." Harry said. Samantha held up her hand.

     "I want to try something. Seven, as soon as she's calmed down, I want you
to give her to me."

     "Why?"

     "Just trust me. You'll see." After about five minutes the baby was quiet
again.  Seven gave her to Samantha, and again she started to scream, faster
then the first time if that was possible. "OK, Harry, sit down and I'm
gonna give her back to you." As soon as Annika hit Harry's arms, she calmed
down and the screaming stopped. Sam just shook her head.

     "I don't believe this. I want to try this with a few more people, just to
be sure, but, for whatever reason, this baby will only go to one of you two
and nobody else."

     Suddenly the implications of Sam's statement hit home to Harry. In a very
round about way he'd gotten his wish. More time with Seven.

***************************************

     "Your throne, my queen." Chakotay said as he gently deposited the Captain
on her bed.

     "You're not funny, Chakotay." She said. But she had one of her little half
smiles on her face. *This might actually be fun.* She thought to herself.

     "Can I get you anything Kathryn?" He asked her.

     "No, I'm fine for now." She leaned back on her pillow. "This feels weird.
"

     "What does?" He asked.

     "Being in bed in the middle of the day."

     "Well, maybe next time you break your ankle you can plan to do it later in
the day."

     "Ha Ha Ha. Very funny. You're a bundle of laughs."

     " Oh yeah, I'm just full of them." He said. "Well, if you don't need
anything,  I think you should do what the good doctor suggested. Get some
REST."

     "I will."

    ledgomise?"

     "Promise." She said solemnly.

     "Well, then I'll check on you in a little while." Then he surprised her by
leaning over and giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Get some
sleep." and he walked out of the room. She laid there and listened. As soon
as she heard the door of her quarters open and shut, she smiled and sat up
on the bed. She couldn't be on duty so she may as well change out of her
work out clothes and into something  more  comfortable, and then she could
go sit at her desk and get some work done. She managed to half hop half
hobble to her dresser. She got out some sweats and managed to get back to
the bed.

     "Boy this thing hurts worse then I thought." she mumbled to herself.
"Maybe I'll sit on the couch after all." There were definitely some
benefits to haveing a computer you could pick up and move anywhere you
wanted. She finished getting changed and then somehow managed to get to her
door. It opened and she took about three steps into the living room.

     "Freeze Captain!" Chakotay said from her desk, where he was patiently
waiting.

     "What the -" Startled she spun around and immediately lost her ballence
which was precarious any way, and fell. "Owwww. Oh shit." Her knee erupted
in pain.

     "Kathryn." He was up and at her side in seconds. "Easy, easy. Try and stay
still.  Chakotay to sickbay."

     *Yes Comdr.*

     "Doc, I was right."

     *I'm on my way. Sickbay out.*

     "You set me up." She growled through the pain. "God this hurts." Tears
were starting to form in her eyes.

     "And a good thing I did too. " He growled back. "Kathryn, what is wrong
with you? HUH? What part of REST and 'Get some sleep' don't you understand?
I knew you'd try something like this."

     "So you tricked me." She managed.

     "Yeah, I guess I did."

     "Ohhhh God, how long is it gonna take for that damn doctor to get here?"
He took her hand in his.

     "Squeeze." She took his hand in her small one. He was amazed at how hard
she squeezed back. The door to her quarters opened and the Doctor and Tom
came in.  Chakotay got ready to move.

     "No Chakotay stay put." Tom said. "Let her hang on to your hand." He
scanned her quickly while the Doctor scanned her leg. "Doc, vital signs are
all good."

     "I wish I could say the same for this knee." he said. "Captain, what was
the last thing I said to you?" He filled a hypo and injected it directly
into her knee. Chakotay felt the death grip on his hand ease a little. The
Doctor scanned her knee once more.

     "That's better. The swelling is going back down. Tom." He nodded at Paris.
Tom leaned over and gave her a second injection in the neck.

     "What was that?" She asked.

     "Something to relieve the pain, and help you sleep, again, Captain." The
Doctor said. "Now I mean it. You are to stay off of this knee for the next
24 hours. The only reason you need to get up is for the obvious reason, and
the Comdr. will help you with that."
     
     "Over my dead body." She said.

     "Captain, I'll be discreet." Chakotay said.

     "Captain Janeway, if you don't follow orders this time, you'll end up in
sickbay, for the next 48 hours on TOTAL bed rest. Do I make myself clear?"

     "Yes Doctor." She was starting to get drowsy from the sedative.

     "Very good. Tom help her get back into bed, while I talk to the Comdr."
Paris took Janeway's arm and put it over his shoulder.

     "Come on Captain." He said as he easily picked her up. "Just let me do all
the work." And carried her into her bedroom. The door slid closed behind
them.

     "All right Doc. Pay up." Chakotay said.

     "The replicator rations are already in your account." He grumbled "How
could you be so sure, she'd do something like this?"

     "Come on Doc. How long have we been out here? After six years, I think I
know the Captain well enough to guess how she's going to react to a
situation."

     "Yes, I suppose so. Well, keep a close eye on her Cmdr. She was fortunate
this time. She didn't do any real damage to the knee. But if she gets up on
it again, without help, before it has a chance to heal completely, she will
be back in sickbay, for a lot longer then 48 hours. " He packed up his
medical kit. "Oh and this is the last time I'll ever bet on the Captain
with you again." Chakotay just chuckled. Tom came out of the bedroom.

     "Chakotay, she's in a light sleep already. She should stay out for a
couple of hours.  Ahh, you might wanna catch a little sleep yourself, cause
once she's up, you're gonna have to watch her like a hawk."

     "Thanks Tom. Don't worry, I will."

     "Well, Doc let's go back and mind the store." Tom said and turned to
leave.

     "Keep in touch with me, Comdr. If she gives you any more trouble I'll be
right up."  And he followed Tom. Chakotay saw them out, then he went over
to her bookshelf, picked out a book and went back into the bedroom. He sat
down in the chair by her bedside and started to read.

****************************************
     "Well, that's number four." Harry said as Samantha handed Annika back to
Seven. "Sam, I think it's a safe assumption that Nikki won't go to anyone
but me and Seven."

     "Nikki?" Seven said as she took the baby from Sam. Harry looked sheepishly
at her.

     "A nickname Seven." She just shook her head and looked down at the baby.
They'd tried their little experiment on four different members of the crew,
all with the same results. The minute Annika hit the arms of someone other
then Harry or Seven she started to scream. Even Tuvok couldn't soothe her.

     "It looks like you're right Harry. I don't think I want to try it again.
We've upset the baby enough for one day." She sat down in the Doctor's
chair while Seven sat on the other side of the desk. Harry just leaned
against the wall. They all turned as the door to sickbay opened.

     "Come on Doc, so you lost a few rations to Chakotay. It's not like you
really need them." Tom said.

     "It's not that. It's just that I hate loosing to him." He said as he
walked into his office. "Well, what have we here?"

     "Doctor." Samantha said, as she got up from his chair. "We have an unusual
situation here."

     "Oh?" He looked at Seven. "Seven, I thought you were taking the baby to
your new quarters?"

     "I did."

     "Doctor, Annika-"

     "Annika?" He interrupted Samantha.

     "The baby-" Harry interrupted her again.

     "Doc, to make a long story short, Annika, won't let anyone other then
Seven and me hold her."

     "You?" He asked Harry.

     "Yeah, me."

     "Doctor, we called four other crewmembers down. Annika screamed the minute
they picked her up. We tried, Sue Nicoletti, Megan DeLaney, Joe Carey, and
Comdr. Tuvok."

     "She cried for Tuvok too huh?"

     "Cried is an understatement." Seven added.

     "Ensign Kim, take the baby from Seven. I want to see this for myself." The
Doctor said. Harry walked over and took the infant from Seven. Annika made
a little noise till she settled in Harry's arms, then she fell back into a
contented sleep.

     "Gee Har, I didn't think you had it in you." Tom said as he looked down at
the tiny baby in his friends arms. Then whispering to only him, "Anything
to get Seven alone huh?" Harry just gave him a dirty look. Samantha tried
to change the subject.

     "So where have you two been?" She asked. "We got here over an hour ago."

     "I had a house call."

     "The Captain, decided not to cooperate with the Doc. and had a little
kneelapse."

     "Kneelapse? Very funny Ensign." The Doctor grumbled.

     "I liked it." Harry said.

     "What happened?" Sam asked.

     "Well, when the Captain woke up, the Doc had Chakotay take her to her
quarters.  The thing is, as soon as she thought he was gone, she got up and
started walking around on her knee. She came out of her room and Chakotay
was sitting there waiting for her.  He startled her and she lost her
balance and fell. What I don't understand Doc, is why you haven't fixed her
knee, completely? I mean, it's no big deal. It'd take you fifteen minutes
to repair. "

     "Ah but the Captain doesn't know that. It's the only way I know to get her
to take it easy for a couple of days. After what she's been through lately,
she needs some down time, and this was the only way I could think of to get
her to rest."

     "Are you sure, B 'Elanna put all your ethical sub routines back?" He
asked, smiling.

     "Does the Cmdr. know you did this?" Seven asked.

     "Yes she put all my ethical subroutines back. He growled, "And no he
doesn't Seven. I decided not to say anything to him. What he doesn't know
he can't tell the Captain."

     "Well, Doc, I just hope she doesn't decide to call your bluff and try
again."  Tom said.

     "So do I. The last thing I want is her in sickbay for two days, with an
injury even you could fix in ten minutes. Especially with the way she hates
being in sickbay."

     "I hope she behaves Doc, but I'd be willing to bet you have company in
here very soon." Harry said.

     "You'll forgive me if I don't take you up on that bet, Ensign. I've
already lost money on our dear Captain today." Harry chuckled.

     "Hey Seven, I think we better get Nikki back to your quarters. She looks
like she might just be ready for a nap." Sam came over to look at the baby.


     "And a diaper change." She said, sniffing the air.

     "Well, it's Seven's turn this time. I changed the last one." Harry said.
"Come on Seven." He turned to leave.

     "Yes Dear." She said sarcasticly. Tom started to laugh.

     "See ya later Dad. Hey Har, is it OK with the little woman, if I stop by
later and take you over to Sandrines for that beer I owe you?"

     "Very funny Tom." He turned and headed out of sickbay with Seven in tow.

     "You shouldn't tease him like that Tom." Sam said.

     "If I don't who will?" He said chuckling and walked back into sickbay.

     "Samantha, maybe you should go with them." The Doctor said.

     "No I don't think so Doctor. I think this baby is the best thing for both
of them, and the last thing either of them need is me. Harry, can do
everything I can. Seven will be fine."

     "I hope you're right Sam. I hope you're right."

     "Kathryn, it's a yellow alert. A small neutronic wave front. It's barely
a level 3. You are staying put. That's not just an order, it's a Doctor's
order." Chakotay said, as the Captain struggled to her feet.

     "I don't care, I should be on the bridge."
     
     "NO !" He finally had enough. As gently as he could he forced her back
down on her bed, then he hit his combadge."Chakotay to Seven of Nine."

     "What are you doing?"

     *Seven of Nine here. What can I do for you Cmdr.?*

     "Seven, I have to get to the bridge. I need you to come here and stay
with-."

     "Chakotay, don't you dare." The Captain growled.

     *Excuse me Cmdr. what did the Captain say?*

     "Never mind. Seven, I need you to sit with the Captain, while I'm on the
bridge."

     "You're a dead man Chakotay." Janeway whispered. There was a sigh from the
other end of the com.

     *Unfortunately, Cmdr. I have no one to sit with Annika.*

     "Annika?" The Captain asked.

     "Pack some things and bring her along. Seven I need someone here with the
Captain, and you're it. Now get moving. Chakotay out." He pointed an angry
finger at Janeway. "If I leave before she gets here and you're not here
when she does, I'll have the Doctor put a biobed in the brig." He turned to
go.

     "Ohh, you're so lucky this isn't a red alert." She snapped. "You're
treating me like a child. I don't need a damn baby sitter."

     "Well, you've been acting like a child, so yes you do." He stopped for a
breath.  Then he looked at her. "Kathryn, why is it so hard for you to take
a day off? Why do you feel like you're the only one that doesn't deserve
it?"

     "Because I'm the Captain, that's why."

     "Well, I have news for you lady, everyone needs to take a day off now and
then. You're a starship captain, not Wonder Woman." Just then her door
beeped.

     "Good, that's probably Seven. Now you behave and don't give her any
trouble or I swear I'll put you over *my* knee, when I get back."

     "You wouldn't dare." She said.

     "Try me."

     He stalked out of her bedroom, into the living room and opened the door.
Seven came in, handing him a bag full of baby paraphernalia as she walked
by.

     "Cmdr. I don't understand why I'm needed here?" She said as the door shut
behind her.

     "Seven, the Captain is being, 'difficult', to say the least, about staying
off her knee for a day like the Doctor ordered. She's already disobeyed
orders once. Now with the ship on yellow alert, she wants to be on the
bridge. That's not necessary.  I'd stay here, but since I'm in command I
have to go to the bridge. As soon as I can  I'll turn the bridge over to
Tuvok and come back here. In the mean time, what I need you to do is stay
here till I can get back and keep an eye on the Captain. If you need it,
have the computer initiate Chakotay Beta 213. It'll freeze the door and the
only people who can open it are me, the Doctor, Tuvok or you.

     "Me?"

     "Yeah you. Trust me it may come in handy. Look I gotta get out of here.
Try and keep her busy. Keep her mind off of things."

     "And just how do you propose I do that Cmdr. ?"

     "Seven, you're a very creative person. I'm sure you'll come up with
something.  Assimilate her if you have to. Just keep her off that knee.
Understood?"

     "Yes sir." She answered.  He took a peek at the baby in her arms. "You
know, she looks much better then she did when we got her. You must be doing
something right." He turned to leave.

     "Flattery Cmdr.?" Seven asked.

     "No Seven, the truth." And he left for the bridge.
****************************************
     Naomi Wildman sat at the table in her room trying to study, but it was no
use.  She kept thinking about the children that they'd brought on board
from the Borg cube. She'd been hoping all day for a chance to get to see
them. But now it was almost dinner time and her hopes were growing slim.
She got up and went out to the little kitchen area by the replicator.

     "Mom, please. Can't you call the Doctor and ask if I can meet the Borg
kids? Pleeeeeeeeease ?"

     "Naomi Wildman, if you don't stop pestering me about this I'm going to -"

     "All right, all right. I know, you'll ground me till I'm old enough to
have kids of my own. Can't you just tell me about the baby? Is it a boy or
a girl?"

     "Ohh, I guess I can tell you about the baby. It's a girl. Seven of Nine
and Uncle Harry are taking care of her right now."

     "Seven and Uncle Harry? Ohh boy, wait till Jenny DeLaney hears about
this."

     "Naomi Wildman, I don't like you gossiping, and I definitely don't like
you hanging around with the DeLaneys' . Now I mean it. If I hear about - "

     *Yellow Alert. All hands to emergency stations. We have a level 3
neutronic wave front approaching.*

     "Saved by the bell." Naomi muttered.

     "What was that young lady?"

     "Oh nothing."

     "Yeah, right. You and I are going to sit down and have a long talk later
tonight.  Right now, get your little self to the mess hall. I have to get
to my post. "

     "Yes ma ' am. " She turned to leave.

     "Hey, what about a kiss?" Sam knelt down and held out her arms. "I'm still
your mom you know." Naomi smiled and gave her mother a hug and a kiss. "OK
, crewman, get moving." Sam said as she got up and they both left together.

     When Naomi got to the mess hall, she got one of her wishes. Neelix was
waiting for her and so were the four older Borg children. She noticed
Mezoti right away. They looked at each other and Naomi smiled. Mezoti
raised an eyebrow and turned back to study Neelix.

     "Why Naomi, just the young lady I've been looking for." Neelix went over
and putting an arm around her shoulders, walked her over to the table.
"Naomi, I'd like you to meet Icheb, Mezoti, Azon and Rebbi. Children, this
is Naomi Wildman."

     "Hi . " Suddenly her enthusiasm about meeting the children was
dissapearing.

     "Naomi, are you hungry?" Neelix asked, trying to break the ice. "It's
almost dinner time."

     "Yeah Uncle Neelix, I am."

     "Well, have a seat and I'll go get you some." Naomi climbed up on one of
the chairs, while Neelix bustled off to get her some food. While Naomi was
trying to think of something to say, Mezoti cut right to the heart of the
situation.

     "Why do you consume matter?" Naomi had been down this road with Seven of
Nine, so she wasn't surprised by the question.

     "My body assimilates it to create energy, to survive. It's one of the ways
I regenerate."  Neelix had been listening from the counter and heard the
conversation.

     *Good girl Naomi.* He thought to himself. She'd handled the question
perfectly and in the only way a former Borg could understand.

     "You don't have an alcove?" Rebbi asked.

     "Nope. " She said. "Eventually you won't need one either. But it'll take a
while.  Seven has been here for two years now and she still needs to
regenerate, but not as often, and she eats food now. When you're ready, you
can too. Uncle Neelix makes some really good cookies." Then she added, just
loud enough for him to hear. "Just watch out for the Leola root."

     "I heard that young lady." He called from the counter. Naomi giggled and
winked at him. He brought her plate over.

     "It looks like you and the children will be spending a lot of time
together Naomi.  Seven is going to be instructing them in their school
lessons along with you."

     "That's great. It'll be fun to have someone my age to play with." She
looked at Mezoti. "I can teach you how to play Cot s Cot."

     "Cot s Cot?" Icheb asked.

     "It's a game." Naomi said.

     "You can teach them after you finish dinner. Naomi." Neelix said.

     "OK Neelix." As she started to eat, the ship shuddered slightly but it was
enough to send something clattering to the floor in the galley.

     "Uh oh. It looks like a bumpy ride. You better hurry up Naomi. I want to
get everything secured in the kitchen." He got up and went to see what had
dropped.

     "Yes Neelix." She hurried up and finished her dinner as the four Borg
children watched.

***************************************

     "Captain?" Seven peeked into Janeway's bedroom.

     "Come on in Seven." The Captain was sitting on her bed rubbing her knee.

     "Are you in pain Captain?"

     "Yes, I'm in pain." She growled. "Of course, and this is for your ears
only, if I'd stayed off of it like the Doctor told me, it probably wouldn't
be hurting right now. Sit down Seven. How's the baby doing?" She leaned
back against the pillows Chakotay had brought in from the couch.

     "Annika is doing very well."

     "Annika?"

     "That was Har-, Ensign Kim's idea."

     "Harry?"

     "Yes. After he put the baby down, he-"

     "Wait a minute. He put the baby down? I thought only you could hold her?"

     "It seems that she is partial to the Ensign, as well as me. No one else
though."  She said softly, as she looked down at the baby. "We had four
other crew members try to hold her as well as Ensign Wildman, and
yourself."

     "Well, Seven it looks like you and Harry have your work cut out for you."

     "Yes Captain." She said. Looking at the baby again.

     "How does Harry feel about the situation?" Seven was still studying the
baby.  "Seven?" Suddenly she realized the Captain was talking to her.

     "I'm sorry Captain. What was your question?"

     "How does Harry feel about the baby?" Seven thought for a moment before
she spoke.

     "He seems almost nostalgic, when he's with her. He remembers when Naomi
was a baby. I think he is enjoying the experience." Janeway smiled
slightly.

     "I'll bet he is." Tom Paris wasn't the only one who knew how Harry felt
about Seven of Nine. "How do you feel about the baby, Seven?" She asked.
Again Seven took her time answering the question.

     "At first, I was, unhappy about the assignment, as you know."

     "Oh yes. I was quite aware just how unhappy you were. I can see you've
changed your attitude toward the infant quite a bit since then. Why?"

     "I, . . . . . . I'm not quite sure Captain. I know that I feel a definite
pleasure when I see Anni-, the baby,-"

     "Seven, that's the second time you've stopped and corrected yourself." The
Captain interrupted. "There is nothing wrong with calling the baby Annika.
I'm glad you and Harry came up with a name for her, and I think it's about
time you called Ensign Kim, Harry like the rest of us." Seven smiled
slightly.

     "That is similar to what En-" Janeway gave her a look. "Harry, told me."

     "That's better. Go on, you were saying, you feel pleasure."

     "When Annika is in Harry's arms and she has fallen asleep. I don't
understand why, I feel that way."

     *Ahhh, so the feeling is mutual, after all.* Janeway thought.

     The ship suddenly shuddered. It wasn't serious, just enough to rattle
things. But
it took the Captain's mind off of Seven and Harry and the baby and back on
the fact that she was in her quarters and not on the bridge.

     "That's it. Doctor's orders or not, I'm going to the bridge." She started
to get up again.

     "Computer, initiate program, Chakotay Beta 213." Janeway looked at her.

     "What's that?"

     *Program Chakotay Beta 213 has been initiated.* The computer answered.

     "The door to your quarters can only be opened by Cmdr. Chakotay, the
Doctor, Tuvok, or myself." Seven answered as she got up from her chair.
"Captain, if you get up on your knee again, you will injure it further."
She carefully laid Annika on the arm chair and went over to the Captain.

     "Seven, don't leave her like that."

     "Captain, she is perfectly safe. She can not even turn over yet so there
is no way she can hurt herself. You on the other hand can. From what I have
gathered, you've already fallen once. I don't think you want that to happen
again. Now, are you going to lay back down on the bed, or do I have to make
you?" The look on her face told Janeway she wasn't bluffing.

     "Ohhhh all right. I give up." She laid back down.

     "Good. Besides if you were to fall I'd have to answer to the Doctor and
Chakotay.  That is not a pleasant thought."

     "I know. Chakotay threatened to put me over his knee, if I give you any
trouble. In my present condition, I don't think I'd be able to put up much
of a fight."

     "Put you over his knee?"

     "It's a form of corporal punishment. Just think about it for a minute
Seven."

     She sat for a second. Then something came back to her.

     "Annika, if you don't get into bed right now and stop giving your mother
trouble I'm going to put you over my knee. Now get."

     Suddenly she understood. A smile came over her face and she
actually giggled slightly as she got a mental picture of Chakotay and the
Captain.

     "It's not funny." Janeway said, but she was chuckling too. Seven helped
her settle back down on the bed and then turned to pick up the baby. "Bring
her over her Seven. I'd like to see her." Seven sat down on the side of the
bed and opened up the blanket so Janeway could take a peek. "Seven she
looks like she's doing very well with you." She gently touched a tiny
cheek. "Do you have any idea what species she is?"

     "No Captain, I don't. I haven't had a chance to talk to Icheb or the other
children though. They may know. I was unable to find any infor- mation on
her, in the cubes data base. I did not have the time."

     "Well, maybe they'll know. In the meantime, I hope you don't mind taking
care of her. Now, tell me how did you find out Harry could pick her up?"

     "Well, he stayed with me after Samantha and Tom left with Lindsy's things.
We put her down for a nap, and then I fell asleep myself."

     "You fell asleep?"

     "Yes Captain, it is the first time, I have done so since I was
assimilated. While I was sleeping, the baby woke up. Harry went in and
started to take care of her. He didn't know about her crying with every-one
else. When I woke up, he was sitting in the chair feeding her."

     "Go figure." The Captain said softly. She tried to move herself back on
the bed a little and gasped in pain when she forgot and used her leg.

     "Captain, do you want something for the pain?"

     "I hate to admit it but, yes Seven, I do."

     "Seven of Nine to the Doctor."

     *Yes Seven.*

     "Doctor, I'm sitting with the Captain. She's experiencing some pain in her
knee. Would you please bring something up for her."

     *I'm on my way. Doctor out.*

     Half an hour later, the Captain was resting in her room. Seven had taken
Annika into the living room and had carefully laid her on her blanket on
the floor to sleep. With the periodic shaking of the ship from the storm,
she felt the safest place for the child was on the floor. The Doctor had
left an extra hypo, just in case the Captain needed more
pain killer, and after a brief conversation with Seven about her falling
asleep being perfectly natural at this time, had gone back to sickbay.

     She was sitting on the couch watching the baby sleep when the Captain's
door chimed. She answered it and was very surprised to see the guests.

     "Hi Seven." It was Naomi and she had Mezoti with her.

     "Naomi Wildman, what are you doing here? And Mezoti, I thought you were in
the mess hall with Mr. Neelix?"

     "We were, but the storm is almost over and the ship isn't on yellow alert
any more so I asked Neelix if we could see the baby. He said it was OK with
him as long as it was OK with you." Seven stood there looking at the two
girls. "Well can we? Pleeeese Seven?" Naomi asked.

     "Come in." Seven said. And stood aside. The two girls walked in and
spotted ths unby on the floor. Naomi walked slowly over and knelt down to
look at the baby.

     "Oh Seven she's so tiny. Was I this little?"

     "Ensign Kim says you were." Seven answered her.  Mezoti reached out and
timidly touched the tiny head.

     "I wonder what species she is?" Naomi mused.

     "She is species 9856. The Adrini." Mezoti said.

     "Are you sure?" Naomi asked, before Seven could even open her mouth.

     "I am Borg." She said, very mater of factly.

     "Yeah, I guess so." Naomi said.

     "Naomi Wildman, watch the baby. I must check on the Captain."

     "OK Seven." She said, a smile spreading accross her face. Seven walked
into the Captain's bedroom. Her eyes were closed but the minute she heard
the door they shot open.

     "Captain, I'm sorry to disturb you."

     "You're not disturbing me Seven." She groaned as she tried to sit up.
Seven reached out and gave her a hand. "Thanks. Actually, I was just going
to call you and ask if the Doctor left anything else for my knee. That last
shot just doesn't seem to be helping."

     "It's hurting you again?" She asked as she walked over to the Captain's
dresser.

     "To say it hurts is an understatement. Actually, it throbs with every
pulse beat."  Seven walked back over to her bed with a hypo the Doctor had
left. She injected the Captain directly in the knee.

     "That should help." She said. Janeway concentrated for a moment.

     "It is. It feels a lot better." She shoved herself up a little more on the
bed. "Now what's the problem?"

     "It's not a problem. But I believe I know the species of Annika."

     "How?"

     "Mezoti and Naomi are here. Naomi wanted to see the baby. She brought
Mezoti along and she knew the baby's species. She is Adrini."

     "Well, at least now we have a place to start looking. I want you to
contact the Markonians. See if they've ever heard of the Adrini, and if so,
where their homeworld is."

     "Yes ma ' am. As soon as the Cmdr. gets back I'll take care of it."

     "Look Seven, I'm fine now. Go ahead and get started on this."

     "No." She said. "Captain, the Cmdr. gave me an order to stay here till he
was done on the bridge and this is where I am going to stay." The Captain
rolled her eyes.

     "Look Seven, I'm still the Captain and I'm -"

     "Starting to give me a hard time. Captain, are you forgetting, I have to
report to Cmdr Chakotay. I for one would not want him to put me *over his
knee*."

     "Now, Seven, you wouldn't do that would you?"

     "Try me." She gave Janeway one of her *I'm not bluffing*, Borg stares.
Janeway sighed and leaned back a little on the pillows.

     "Fine, I guess we can wait a little while longer to find out about the
baby."

     "Annika." Seven reminded her. A small grin on her face. "Captain can I get
you anything? Some coffee perhaps?"

     "God no. I'm floating as it is." She said. "Ah, . . . . Seven maybe you
could help me take care of that." She nodded toward the bathroom. "I'd
rather have your help then a certain first officer. Not only would I get a
lecture on drinking too much coffee, but I'd never hear the end of it if he
helped me."

     "Understood." Seven helped Janeway to her feet. "Lean on me Captain.  Do
not put any weight on your knee." She walked the Captain to the door.

     "I think I can take it from here Seven. Why don't you go check on Annika?"
 She said and the door closed behind her.

     "I believe I'll wait here till you're done Captain. If Annika needs me,
I"m sure Naomi Wildman will let me know." She called through the door.

     "That's what I was afraid you'd say." Janeway said to herself from the
other side of the door.  Seven waited patiently. Finally the bathroom door
opened and Janeway hobbled over to her. The knee felt better but it still
hurt.

     "Well, come on. Give me a hand." Seven helped her back to her bed. When
she got comfortable she said, "You better go check on the little one. It's
not that I don't trust Naomi, but she's still a little young to be
babysitting just yet."

     "Agreed." She turned to leave, then added, "Oh, and Captain, if you need
me, please let me know. There is no reason for you to lie here and throb or
float." Then she left the room.
     Harry set the table in Seven of Nine's quarters, while she finished
feeding Annika.

     "So you said you contacted the Markonians?" Harry asked as he put the
silverware around. "What did they have to say?"

     "They have heard of the Adrini and gave me the coordinates for their home
planet. They have warp capability and have been to the Markonian station a
number of times. The Captain authorized a course change and we are on our
way there now, but it will take two weeks to reach it."

     "Two weeks?" Harry whistled. "Is it on our way or do we have to detour to
get there?"

     "It is actually somewhat on our way. The detour to it is minor. Only two
days."

     "Well that's good." He put the finishing touches on the table, and said,
"Dinner is ready."

     "She's almost done." Seven said.

     "Well, take your time. Don't rush her. Neelix said the Pleeka Rind
Casserole can be reheated if we need to." He walked into the living room
and sat down in the chair across from the couch. Picking up a pad he
stretched out and put his feet up on the coffee table in front of him.

     "Harry, use the footstool, please." Seven said. "Your boots leave marks on
the wood."

     "Yes ma'am." He said. "Boy, you're beginning to sound more like Captain
Janeway every day." But there was a smile on his face. "I'm gonna have to
have a talk with Comdr.  Chakotay about keeping you away from her for a
while." Seven glanced up at him. When she saw the look on his face and
realized she was being teased, she gave it right back.

     "Oh really? Well, I'm done feeding Annika, it's your turn to put her
down."

     "That's fine with me. " He said getting up and coming over to take the
baby. But as soon as he had her in his arms he knew he'd been had.  "Seven,
that's not funny. You knew she had a dirty diaper."

     "I'm just trying to help you keep your diaper changing skills sharp." She
said.   "Harry, please hurry. Dinner is ready."

     "Come on Nikki." He said. "Looks like I lost this battle." And he took her
into the bedroom. Ten minutes later he came out and closed the door behind
him. "She's asleep."

     "Very well. I could see she was getting tired." Seven said. "Sit down, and
I will get dinner on the table."  Harry did as she said. He took a sip of
the wine she'd poured for him and watched  her as she worked. He enjoyed
the time he'd been spending with her, especially times like these. It
brought back memories of Libby. He hadn't felt this way about a woman in a
very long time. He'd known he loved Seven, but now he was finding out that
he liked her too.  Seven filled his plate with the casserole. And then put
a small amount on hers.

     "Come on Seven, you've got to eat more than that." He said.

     "Harry, I am not as fond of Pleeka Rind Casserole as you are."

     "Well, it beats the alternative." He said, taking a bite. "I hear Neelix
is serving Leola root stew tonight with Wild Griggen bread. The bread, I
can handle,  but I never will be able to eat Leola root."

     "That is not one of my favorites either. I suppose I should be grateful
for this."

     "Yeah. It beats making it yourself too." He took another mouthful. "So you
didn't tell me. How did it go with the Captain this afternoon?"

     "You mean during the yellow alert?"

     "Yes. Did she give you any trouble? I ran into Chakotay on his way to the
bridge and he was about ready to-"

     "Put her over his knee?" She interrupted. A slight smile on her face. Her
suggestion took Harry by surprise.

     "Well, he didn't say that exactly, but I guess you could say, that was the
gist of our conversation." he answered as he shoveled a forkful of Pleeka
Rind into his mouth.

     "So, did she behave herself?"

     "Actntedy she did. I think the Cmdr. was surprised when I told him." Harry
chuckled.   "It's too bad."

     "What is too bad?" She asked.

     "I think he might have been hoping for a bad report." Seven looked at him
for a moment with a confused expression on her face.

     "Why would he, . . . . ." She paused for a moment, in thought. Suddenly it
dawned on her. "Harry Kim !" She reprimanded. Then they both laughed.

     "Seven is there any more Pleeka Rind left?" he asked.

     "Yes." she got up and put the last of it on his plate, then she started
putting the rest of the plates in the recycler. Harry sat back in his chair
and watched her. The last two days had been awful and wonderful. His
experience in the cube with the nano probes had been less then pleasant. He
didn't remember much, other then being in a lot of pain, and then snatches
of things when they got him to sickbay.  The Captain had come to sit with
him for a while. He knew she'd talked to him but he was too out of it to
understand what she'd said. But her being there was what mattered. It was
the first time in almost 24 hours he'd felt safe.

     Then Seven had been there. She hadn't talked to him but he remembered her
gently brushing his hair off his forehead. Then by accident they'd found
out he was the only other person on the ship to be able to hold Annika.
And now here he was. He'd spent a the whole day with Seven and the way
things looked, he was going to be with her at least till they got to
Annika's home world. Suddenly he realized she was talking to him.

     "Harry, . . . . . Harry!"

     "Hmmmm? Oh Seven I'm sorry. I must have been daydreaming."

     "That is understandable. You have been through a lot in the past two
days."  She gestured at his plate. "Are you done?"

     "Yeah, it was good, but my eyes are bigger then my stomach." She got that
confused look on her face again.

     "Explain." He smiled.

     "It's an expression Seven. It means that, I thought I was hungrier then I
really was." She took his plate and put it in the recycler too. He got up
and walked over to her. "Let this go. We can pick up later. Why don't we go
through the data base and find a movie to watch?" He reached over and put
his hand on the small of her back.

     "All right." She said and let him lead her into the living room. They sat
down on the couch and he went through the list.

     "How about this one?" He said. It was a western.

     "Maverick?" She said.

     "Yeah. Tom said he and B 'Elanna watched it and it was pretty good." She
looked at him.

     "Did Ensign Paris ever take you to Sandrine's for that *beer*?" She asked.

     "Yeah as a matter of fact he did."

     "Well,?"

     "Well what?"

     "Harry, you are being evasive."

     "Oh, I get it, you want to know what we talked about." He had a little
smile on his face as he said it. She just rolled her eyes and then gave him
one of her Borg looks. He laughed at her and then putting his arm around
her shoulders gave her a little hug.

     "Well, are you going to tell me or not?" She decided to come right to the
point.

     "Oh, all he did was tease me a little about being so handy with a diaper.
And that I was going to get out of some duty shifts because of all of
this." He didn't think he needed to tell her about Tom point blank asking
him if he was going to move in and take up housekeeping. And he was right.
She had rolled her eyes when he corrected her about calling him Harry.
She'd just done it again. *She's becoming more Human every day.* he
thought.

     "That is all?"

     "Yeah, for the most part." She gave him that look again. "Look Seven,
there are some things a man says to another man that he just doesn't tell
his, " Suddenly he stopped in mid sentence. He almost said wife. *Was that
actually what I was thinking?* He wondered to himself.

     "Tell his what, Harry?" She asked. But the look on her face told him she
had a pretty good guess what he was thinking. Then one of the things he and
Tom discussed came back to him.

     "So, are you two gonna move in together?"

     "Tom, will ya stop already?" He said and took a swig of his beer.

     "Well, you're the one that's always telling me how much you love her. "

     "Yeah, but I'm not sure it's reciprocal."

     "Well I can't think of a better time to find out. Look Har, you've been
mooning over her for almost two years now. I think you need to do something
about it or move on and let her do the same." He paused and looked at his
friend. "You DO love her don't ya?"

     "Of course I do !" Harry answered back, almost angry at Tom for asking.

     "Well then show it. Show her. " He paused again. "You know, Har, Seven
seems to be getting pretty attached to this baby, and so do you for that
matter. If the Captain does find her family, you and Seven may need each
other later on, a lot more then you know." He looked at Tom and was amazed
at the insight his friend had.

     "Tom Paris, sometimes you amaze me." he said

     "Sometimes I amaze myself." He smiled at his friend. "Come on drink up. I
have to be at B ' Elanna's in ten minutes for dinner."

     "Oh God, thanks for reminding me. I'm due back for dinner too." He took a
last swallow of his beer and got up. "Let's go." They said goodbye to
Sandrine and left the bar.


     *Oh what the hell?" He thought. *Like Tom said, I've been dancing around
long enough. It's about time I find out how she feels.*

     "Tell his *what* Harry?" She repeated.

     "Tell his girlfriend." He said. "That is if you'll have me as your
boyfriend." A shy smile came over her face.

     "It is fine with me." She said softly. He leaned over and gave her a
gentle kiss. Then with a very relieved smile on his face, he programmed the
movie and they sat back on the couch together and started to watch it. She
was beginning to enjoy the movie  when she felt his head on her shoulder.

     Glancing over she saw he was nearly asleep. She took a pillow from the
back of the couch, and putting it on her lap, eased his head down on it. He
pulled his legs up on the couch and stretched out. He sighed contentedly,
and fell asleep, as she gently stroked his hair.

     That was the way they spent most of the evening. When the movie was over,
she carefully got up and eased his head, pillow and all onto the couch. She
found an extra blanket and put it over him. Turning off the monitor, she
told the computer to dim the lights. Then she bent over and gave him a
gentle kiss. He stirred in his sleep and a little smile played on his lips.

     "Sleep well Harry." She said softly and went into the bedroom to check on
Annika.
****************************************

     "Would you like some more wine Kathryn?" Chakotay asked. The Captain
yawned.

     "If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were trying to get me drunk
Chakotay."

     "Never. I'm just trying to make up for this afternoon."

     "Well, thank you for dinner tonight. Where did you get all the replicator
rations?"  Chakotay almost choked when she asked.

     "Ahh, I uh, I, . . . I won a bet." She gave him one of her *looks*.

     "A bet huh? With Tom no doubt?"

     "No," He paused, weighing in his mind, how much to tell her. "It was with
the Doctor."

     "The Doctor? I have a feeling I'm better off not knowing what it was all
about."

     "I agree." He took another sip of wine and tried to change the subject.
"Seven of Nine told me about finding the baby's home planet."

     "Yes. I'm glad Mezoti knew her species."

     "You know this could be a problem." He leaned back in the arm chair across
from her bed.

     "How so?"

     "When I talked with Harry this afternoon, I could see how excited he was
about helping with the baby. He's even given her a nickname. I'm afraid
he's starting to get attached to her. Not to mention the added time he's
spending with Seven." Janeway sighed.

     "I see your point. Do you have any ideas on how to handle it?"

     "None. I just hope he doesn't get hurt."

     "Chakotay, he's a big boy now. He's going to have to handle this on his
own.  He'll be all right."

     "I hope so." Janeway yawned again as he said it. "You know, that's the
second time you've done that." He said. "I think it's time you hit the
sack."

     "Oh, so now I have a bedtime too? Is that Doctor's orders also?"

     "No that's First Officer's orders." He got up and took her tray off the
bed. She handed him her wine glass too. "Do you need anything for your
knee?"

     "No, I don't think so. I'm just getting stiff sitting like this." He
smiled when she said that.

     "I can have the Doctor come and give you one of his rubdowns."

     "Do that and I'll court martial you, and no one in Starfleet or the
Federation would blame me." He chuckled.

     "Seriously, do you need a hand getting ready for bed?"

     "Yes." She reached out to him and he helped her to her feet. Leaning on
him she walked to the bathroom door. It wooshed open. "I'll be right out."
She said.

     "Take your time. I'm off duty for the rest of the evening." She smiled and
the door slid shut. She wasn't sure whether it was the wine talking or
fatigue, but somehow she was glad he planned on staying.
     Harry woke up to the soft crying of the baby and a very gentle voice
speaking to her.  Trying to soothe her.

     "There Nikki. You are all done, as Harry says. Shhhh little one. We don't
want to wake him up. He is not fully recovered from the nano probes."

     He'd been watching the bedroom door as he listened. When he realized she
was coming out, he shut his eyes and pretended to still be asleep. He
didn't want her to think she'd woken him up.

     "One bottle of formula for baby Annika." Seven said softly.

     *Acknowledged.* Came the loud voice of the computer.

     "Computer, lower volume by half." She snarled. Harry saw that as a perfect
excuse to wake up. He groaned and stretched and then groaned again. His
back wasn't at all happy about spending the night on Seven's couch.

     *I forgot how uncomfortable this thing was.* He thought to himself as he
tried to sit up. He'd spent a few nights on it when Lindsy was alive too.

     "Ohhhhhh." He groaned as he sat up. Then he looked over at Seven as she
stood holding the baby in one arm and the bottle in the other. "Well, I see
both my ladies are up." He smiled at her as he swung his legs in front of
him and sat back on the couch.

     "I am sorry Harry. I did not mean to wake you."

     "That's all right Seven. I may be off duty for a couple of day's but that
doesn't mean I have to sleep the whole time."

     "Well, if you will take Annika for a moment, I will get you some coffee."

     "Lady, you've got a deal." He smiled and held his arms out to her. She
handed the baby over to him and went to the replicator. "Well, good morning
pretty girl." He said to the baby as he offered her the bottle. She watched
him as she ate and he could tell she was listening to him. "So you and Mama
woke up before me, huh?" He didn't realize what he'd said. Seven did
though. Her back was to him so he didn't see the smile appear on her face
when she heard it. "So what's on our schedule for the day
Hon?" He asked.

     "I am not sure yet. I will have to go to Astrometrix for a short period
and Naomi Wildman is due for a math lesson today."

     "Well, I can take care of Nikki while you do that, and maybe she and I can
do a little visiting."

     "Visiting?"

     "Yeah, I was thinking maybe the Captain could use a little company, and it
would give the Cmdr. a chance to take a break." He actually wanted to talk
to the Captain and this was a perfect excuse. "Then I can meet you back
here for dinner and maybe another movie. Only I promise I won't fall asleep
through this one."

     "I don't think your back could handle another night on the couch either."
She said as she walked back to the couch with his coffee. Sitting it on the
table she said,  "Here, hand her to me." She sat down next to him and took
the baby back. He watched how she cuddled her closely and gently offered
her the bottle. But he noticed she very seldom talked to her.

     "Seven, why don't you talk to her more?" He wanted to say he'd heard her
talking to the baby in the bedroom, but then she would know he was awake.

     "Harry I am talking to her. Or actually I am interfacing with her."

     "Ohh, I understand." He said. "But you know, she's eventually going to
lose that ability and her family won't be able to interface with her, so
maybe you should start speaking to her outloud also."

     "I had not considered that." She said. "Thank you Harry." He smiled and
watched as she fed Annika.

     "Boy, look at her eat."

     "Yes, I believe she is, *making up for lost time*, as you put it when you
said the same thing yesterday." He swore she chuckled to herself.

     "Oh very funny." He leaned over and gave her a little peck on the cheek.

     "I also believe you can do better then that." She said turning to look at
him.

     "Oh don't worry. After you put Nikki down, I intend to do much better." He
leaned back on the couch and took a sip of his coffee. She smiled and
looked back at Annika.

     "Hurry up Nikki." She said softly. "Papa has work to do." He looked at her
for a second in surprise.

     "Papa?" He asked.

     "Was I wrong in using that designation?" She asked, surprised. "You did
refer to me earlier as *Mama*." He quickly thought back.

     "I did, didn't I." He smiled. "Well, then I guess you're right *Mama*.
Papa does have work to do."
***************************************

     The Captain woke up to gentle snoring. She opened her eyes and saw
Chakotay laying next to her in the bed. It was then that she realized her
hand was resting on his chest and her head was resting on his shoulder, his
arm curled around her, holding her gently. It all started coming back to
her. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     She had come out of the bathroom, in a fairly plain nightgown. She
remembered the look on his face. One of appreciation at the very least. She
smiled shyly. He hadn't seen her this way since New Earth, and a lot had
happened since then.

     He reached out an arm to her and helped her back to bed. When she got to
it, she saw he'd turned it down for her. She sat down on it and went to
lift her legs onto it. She got the left one up without any trouble, but her
injured right knee was another story.

     "Ohh God, this thing still hurts." She groaned.

     "Here, let me." He gently reached down and supported her leg as she moved
it onto the bed. He pulled the covers out from under it with one hand and
held her leg with the other. Easing her leg down to the mattress, his hand
lingered for a moment longer then necessary. There eyes met for a split
second. He coughed apologetically and took his hand away. He pulled the
covers back up to her waist. She laid back on her pillow.

     "Ohhhh, this mattress was definitely not made for extended use." She
grumbled.  "I think my back hurts more then my knee."

     "Roll over." He said.

     "Excuse me?" She was taken aback by his statement.

     "Kathryn, trust me." He said soothingly. "You've been grousing about a
stiff back all day. I'm just going to massage it a little for you. Now are
you going to roll over or not?"

     "I guess I'm gonna roll over." She said. He grabbed the other pillow and
handed it to her. She stacked it on top of the one she was using.

     "Move over a little." He said. She did and he sat down on the bed next to
her. Then he started to gently rub her back. He began at her shoulders and
worked his way down. His hands were strong but gentle, just like they were
when he had rubbed her neck, that night, so long ago. When he got to her
waist he started over at her shoulders again.
     
     "Ohhhhh, Chakotay, that feels so good." She almost purred as she said it.
Her eyes were closed and she hadn't felt so relaxed in a long time. She was
starting to doze off a little, so she thought she was dreaming when she
felt his warm breath on her neck, then a gentle kiss on her cheek, then
another. She opened her eyes. She wasn't asleep
and he was kissing her. She rolled over and they were face to face. 
"Chakotay?" She said in a whisper.

     "Shhhh." He leaned down the last inch and a half and their lips met.
Suddenly duty and protocol and all the other excuses she'd used to keep
from falling in love with Chakotay, flew out an air lock. For a few minutes
she forgot she was the Captain of Voyager. She was a woman, and she was
falling in love.

     But when the kiss ended and he pulled back to look at her, reality set in
again, hard and fast.

     "Chakotay, this won't wo-" Before she could finish he kissed her again. It
was deeper and more intense. When he finally pulled away, she was
breathless.

     "You were saying Kathryn?"

     "Oh God, Chakotay, I love you. But we can't do this. It won't work." This
time she was able to finish. He looked her in the eye but didn't pull away.

     "You're wrong Kathryn. It almost worked back on New Earth. It just did
here.  It can work, if you'll just let it. "

     "But I'm the Captain. How can I-"

     "Oh Kathryn." He said in frustration. Then it finally dawned on him.
"You're afraid. You're hiding behind rules and regulations and protocol
because you're scared." The brutal truth of his statement hit home. Her
eyes filled with tears.

     "Yes." She closed her eyes and tears slid down her face.

     "Why Kathryn?"

     "Because I'm afraid I'll lose you."

     "Lose me? Kathryn you'll never lose me."

     "You can't say that. I've lost every man I've ever loved, my fiancée and
my Father, Mark. Then, things started to happen on New Earth between us and
look what happened?"

     "Are you saying you wish we were still on New Earth?" He was incredulous.
Kathryn Janeway, the woman who was ready to give up her life on a number of
occasions for her ship and crew, was admitting she had been glad to drop
the mantle of Captain.

     "Yes, no, . . . . . oh I don't know? All I know is that for the first time
in a long time I was happy." She started to cry softly. He took her in his
arms and just held her.

     "You can be again. Look Kathryn, I hate to admit it but you were right.
There are no guarantees in life. You know, I'm taking a big risk here too.
You worry about losing me. Did you ever stop to think that I might feel
that way about you? Loss is a part of life, but I'm willing to take the
chance, if it means having you for only a day." He hugged her to his chest.
"Come on, let's give it a try." She pulled back and he eased
her down on the pillows. Her eyes were red from crying, but he saw the
smile in them.  She snuffed a couple of times. He handed her a tissue from
the box on her night table.

     "What about the crew? What will they think?"

     "The hell with the crew." He said. "We'll worry about that later." She
gave him a look. "And we'll work out some guidelines as far as being
Captain and First Officer, as well as lovers. But for now, give me one of
those pillows and move over lady. I've had a long day and I'm tired." She
smiled and scooted over to the other side of the bed. He took off his boots
and pants and shirt and got under the covers. When he did he accidentally
bumped her knee.

     "Owww." She hissed, in pain.

     "Oh Kathryn, I'm sorry, did I hurt your knee?" She looked at him, and the
look on his face erased any pain, then in that deep sexy voice, he hadn't
heard for years, she answered him.

     "Knee? What knee?" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     Yes, it was all coming back to her, and for the first time in a long time,
as she watched the man sleeping peacefully next to her, she was happy. She
closed her eyes and just laid in his arms listening to him snore softly.
She was almost asleep when her com badge beeped.

     *Ensign Kim to Captain Janeway.* Chakotay jumped and was awake instantly.
Unfortunately duty was a good teacher.

     "What time is it?" He groaned, when he realized who it was.

     "Time to kill Harry Kim." She growled back. "Computer, lights one half,
and what the hell time is it?" The lights came up and she wished she hadn't
made them so bright.

     *The time is 0 nine hundred forty seven hours.*

     "9:47? Shit I was supposed to be on the bridge at 0700." Chakotay was up
and out of bed so fast he almost bounced her out onto the deck on the other
side.

     "Chakotay, ah you forget, I know the captain of this tub. I think she
might just let you off with a hug and a kiss." Then she grabbed her
combadge off the night stand. Sighing she said, "Yes Harry what can I do
for you?"

     *Good morning Captain.* He said. From his tone of voice she could tell he
had something on his mind. *Ah, Captain, are you busy later this
afternoon?*

     "He called you at this hour to ask you that?" Chakotay growled.

     "Shush." She snapped. "No Harry, I have absolutely nothing on my schedule.
 What's on your mind?"

     *Well, I have Nikki for the afternoon, and I thought maybe we could come
over and, . . . . .visit for a while.*

     Janeway looked up at Chakotay and gave him one of those, *I think there's
a problem.* looks. "Of course Harry, I'd love the company. How about lunch,
say 1300 hours?"

     *That's perfect Captain. That's just about Nikki's naptime. I can put her
down at your place while we eat.*

     "Well, then, I'll see you later Ensign. Janeway out." Chakotay had gone
into the bathroom for a few seconds and when he came back in she was done
talking to Harry.

     "So ?"

     "He's coming over for lunch. Something's on his mind."

     "Well that'll give you time to get ready."

     "Yeah. I think I'll get in the tub for a while."

     "You better call him back then."

     "Why?"

     "To reschedule. I know you. When you get in the tub, . . . . . . . . . "
He let his voice trail off.

     "Oh very funny." She tossed a pillow at him. He caught it and brought it
back.  Leaning over he looked at her and said,

     "I need to apologize for being late, remember?" She smiled and reaching up
with her arms pulled him down to her and gave him a kiss he would remember
the rest of the day. "Wow." He said softly. "I should be late more often.
Listen, I'm gonna go over to my place and shower and shave. Call Tuvok and
let him know I'll be up there in 20 minutes. Oh and Samantha is coming down
to give you a hand this morning."

          "Chakotay, my knee feels much better. I really don't think I
need-"

     "You wait for Samantha, and that's an order. Remember, you're still off
duty."

     "Yes sir."

     "That's better." He leaned over and grabbed a quick kiss, just as the door
to her quarters beeped.

     "Come in." Janeway called. Samantha walked in.

     "Good morning Captain, Cmdr." She looked at him and winked.

     "Well, ladies, I can see everything's under control here. I'll see you
later Kathryn. Thanks Samantha." And he turned and hurried out of her
quarters.

     "I hope I didn't chase him away." Sam said.

     "No don't worry Samantha. He was late for duty as it is. Oh I almost
forgot."  She tapped her combadge. "Janeway to the bridge."

     *Yes Captain, what can I do for you?" It was Tuvok.

     "I just wanted to let you know, Cmdr. Chakotay was delayed this morning
and will be up there in about 20 minutes."

     *Thank you Captain. I surmised that already. The Cmdr. is always very
prompt.*

     "Yes he is. Well, he'll be there soon Tuvok. Carry on. Janeway out." She
smiled at Samantha. "Good old Tuvok. He never misses a thing."

     "I'll bet he knew where the Cmdr. has been, all morning." Samantha said
with a chuckle.

     "You're probably right." Janeway chuckled too. "Well, I have company
coming for lunch so let's get going here."

     "Yes Captain." And she helped her into the bathroom.
     Harry sat holding Annika and watching Seven as she packed up a bag for the
baby. "Seven, I'm only taking her for a visit to see the Captain. " She
seemed to ignore him and kept adding things to the baby bag. "Seven, you
don't need to pack so much stuff. We're only gonna be gone for an hour or
so." She stopped and looked over at him.

     "I wish to be prepared for any situation." Harry smiled and shifting the
baby to his shoulder, got up and looked in the bag.

     "I understand that Seven, but let's be practical. I mean, there is no way
I'm going to need, let's see here, . . . . one, two, three, . . . . . " He
kept counting,  "you've got 7 diapers in here." He kept looking. "Seven, .
. . . tell me please, why she's going to need 3 pairs of socks? Here, take
Nikki for a minute." He started taking things out of the bag. "This is all
I need." He put in 3 diapers, a container with the little wipes for
cleaning her up, some powder, an extra blanket, a towl to use when he fed
her
and a pacifier. "There. All done. Now, it's almost 1300. I have to get
going or I'm gonna be late, and you will be too." He reached out and took
Nikki back from Seven. "Let's go."
     
     He turned and walked out the door. Seven grabbed the socks and two of the
diapers he'd taken out and shoved them back in the bag, then picked it up
and followed him out. A smug smile on her face. When they got to the
Captain's door, Seven rang while Harry held the baby. Samantha opened it.

     "Harry, Seven, come on in. " She stepped back and the couple came in. "So
how's our littlest crew member doing?" She asked, peeking at the baby in
Harry's arms. "Seven, Harry, she looks wonderful. You two are doing a great
job." She pulled the blanket back around the baby. "Well, Harry now that
you're here, I have to get going. I'm due in sick bay. The Captain's in her
bedroom. Go on in. She's waiting.
Have a good visit." She winked at Harry again and left.

     "Harry? Is that you?" The Captain called from her room. He nudged Seven
and they walked in.

     "Hi Captain, how's the knee?" He said as he walked over to the bed.

     "It's getting better. Hopefully I'll be back on duty tomorrow." She smiled
when she saw the bundle in his arms. "Let me see our littlest member of the
crew."  Harry laid the baby on the bed next to Janeway and unwrapped the
blanket.

     "Here she is Captain." He said. The baby yawned and looked at the Captain,
then Harry. He gently rubbed a finger on her cheek.

     "Was that a smile I just saw?" The Captain asked.

     "Yeah, I think it was. She just started doing that this morning. Seven saw
her do it when she was changing her."

     "Seven, I'm proud of you. It's not easy taking care of a baby under the
best of circumstances. You've done a wonderful job so far. Both of you
have."

     "Thank you Captain." Seven said. "It has been an interesting experience."
She gave Harry the tiniest hint of a smile, but the Captain caught it.
Seven continued.  "Captain, if you'll excuse me, I have a number of things
to take care of in Astrometrix and then a math class with Naomi."

     "Of course Seven. I'll talk with you later. Have a good afternoon."

     "Thank you Captain. Harry, I'll see you at dinner." She said, then turned
and left. When the door wooshed shut behind her, the Captain smiled at him.

     "Well, Harry, for Seven that was downright affectionate."

     "Yeah it was wasn't it?" He stood there for a second looking at the door
Seven had just gone through.

     "Harry. . . . . . . Harry!" the Captain repeated his name.

     "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry Captain."

     "Harry, what's wrong?"

     "Wrong? Nothing's wrong."

     "Sit down, Harry." She pointed to the chair by her bed. She looked at the
baby.  She had fallen asleep. "Well, looks like you were right about it
being her naptime."

     "Huh? . . . . Oh, yeah." He looked at the baby. There was a look of
confusion and something else on his face that she couldn't quite place, as
he looked up at her.

     "Harry, talk to me. What's wrong? Is it Seven?"

     "Oh no Captain." He said vehemently. "Things couldn't be better with her."

     "Then why are you troubled, and don't tell me you're not. I can see it in
your face." Suddenly the damn broke and it all started pouring out.

     "Captain, I'm falling in love with Seven,"

     "Harry that's not exactly new news."

     "But it's more then that now. I'm sure you know, we spent the whole day
together yesterday."

     "Yes I heard."

     "Well did you know we spent all night together too." Janeway raised an
eyebrow,  but said nothing. "I spent the night on her couch. Captain I
haven't felt this way about a woman since Libby. I caught myself a couple
of times treating Seven the way I used to treat her."
     
     "What do you mean Harry?"

     "Oh, just putting my hand on her back, touching her when there really
wasn't a need to. Talking to her, Captain. Like I used to with Libby at the
end of the day.  At one point I almost called her my wife."

     "Whoa. That's quite a leap."

     "Tell me about it." He sighed. "Captain, I don't want this to just turn
into two weeks of playing house with Seven. I want it to be so much more. I
finally have a chance to spend some time with her, get to know her, to have
her get to know me. And then there's Nikki."

     "Nikki, the baby." She nodded at the sleeping infant.

     "Captain, I'm afraid I'm getting attached to her too. I actually found
myself  hoping that we don't find her family or parents, or that when we
do, they won't want her. Because of spending time with her and Seven, I've
realized just how much I'm missing. I want to be a husband and a father."

     "Harry, you used to take care of Naomi when she was a baby. You didn't
feel this way about her did you?"

     "No Captain, I guess I didn't. I don't know why, but I just didn't. Maybe
it was because I wasn't involved with Sam. I don't know." He paused to get
a hold of himself.

     "Don't get me wrong, being on Voyager has been the experience of a
lifetime, I've done and seen more in a few years then most men would in a
lifetime. But taking care of  Nikki brought home just how much I've missed
too." He paused for a second and looked at the baby as she stirred in her
sleep. When he was sure she was OK he continued.

     "If I were back on Earth, Libby and I would have gotten married and
probably have a couple kids of our own already. I just suddenly realize how
much I've missed." He had tears in his eyes at this point and so did
Janeway.

     "Harry, if it's any help, I think I understand how you feel. Have you
talked to Seven about all of this? Does she have any idea?"

     "I haven't exactly talked to her but I think she knows. Yesterday, I
didn't even realize I'd done it, I was holding Nikki, while Seven got me
some coffee. I was just talking to Nikki and I said, *So you and *Mama*
woke up before me huh?* I called Seven Mama.  I know she heard me say it
too, because later she referred to me as Papa. It's only been a day and a
half and already I'm thinking this way. What's gonna happen in two weeks
when we have to give her up?" He took a breath. "And what about the rest of
the crew? How are they going to react to all of this. Tom's already gotten
a few licks in. "

     "Oh Harry, you know Tom. He didn't mean anything by it."

     "I know, I know. I can handle a little teasing from Tom. I expect it. He's
my best friend. If he can't tease me a little who can? And I can even
handle it from the rest of the crew, but what about Seven? I don't want her
hurt."

     Janeway smiled slightly. How much his situation mirrored hers and
Chakotay's. Then something Chakotay had said came back to her.

     "The hell with the crew Harry." She said. He looked at her. Totally
shocked by her reaction.

     "Captain?"

     "Harry, as long as you're being so open here, I'll let you in on a little
secret. Chakotay spent the night here too." For a minute Harry looked at
her, a confused look on his face. Then the meaning of her statement became
clear to him.

     "Well, it's about damn time, if you'll pardon me for saying so Captain."
She gave him one of what Chakotay called her Captain's glares. Then she
chuckled.

     "You're pardoned Harry." She paused trying to pick her words carefully,
"In  a way it looks like you and I have the same problem." She looked at
him. He was sitting on the chair, his hands folded in his lap, his head
hanging down. She ached to get up and hug him. To comfort him. He was very
much like a son to her. And she realized that now even more.
     
     "Look, what I meant about the crew is, don't worry about what they say.
You have to do what's right for you and Seven. Because you're not going to
marry the crew, but you could end up doing just that with Seven. Or am I
reading my Harrys' wrong?" Harry looked up at her, he'd been crying, but
now he had a smile on his face. "That's better." She held out her hand to
him. He reached out and took it. She gave his hand a squeeze and got one
back. "Now, tell me the truth, you really didn't come here just to visit
did you?"

     "No. I guess not." He snuffed a couple of times, still trying to get a
hold of himself. "I just needed to talk to somebody about this."

     "Well, I hope I helped."

     "Oh you did Captain, more then you know."

     "OK, next question, are you still hungry?" She smiled at him.

     "Yes ma ' am."

     "Well, if you'll come over here and give me a hand, we can go have that
lunch I promised you." The baby lay between them on the bed so he got up
and walked around to the other side of the bed and practically lifted her
up off of it so she wouldn't have to use her knee. When she was on her
feet, she took a few tentative steps, with his help. At the door he stopped
and turned to look at the baby. She was sleeping
peacefully.

     "We'll leave the door open. She'll be fine, Dad." He looked at her and
smiling turned and helped her over to the couch in her living room.


     An hour later, they were just finishing up lunch when a little cry came
from the Captain's bedroom.

     "Sounds like someone is waking up." She said.

     "Yes ma 'am." He said and got up to go get the baby. She stacked the
dishes and was just getting ready to stand up when she heard him from the
bedroom. "And don't you stand up and try and clear that table by you're
self. That's an order."

     "Oh really *Crewman Kim*? She said loud enough for him to hear.

     "Yes really Captain." he said carrying Annika in one arm and the baby bag
in the other. He set the changing pad down on the couch and put Annika on
it. Then he looked inside it. "Five diapers?" He said to himself. Then he
saw the socks too. "Why that little sneak." He said, chuckling to himself.

     "What's wrong Harry?" Janeway asked.

     "Huh? Oh nothing Captain. Seven just put a few things in here that, I
didn't know about." He finished up and took the dirty diaper to the
recycler. Then he got a bottle for Annika and he and the Captain sat back
and finished their coffee. When she was finished Harry put her down on the
couch so she could see the Captain and he cleaned up the lunch dishes. The
Captain sat and talked to the baby the whole time.

     "Hello Nikki." She said softly. "How's my newest crew member doing ?"

     The baby seemed fine and was listening to her and watching her. Her little
eyes were wide and she was taking everything in. About 10 minutes later.
Harry came back.

     "Everything's ship shape Captain." He said with a smile. "Do you want some
help back to your room?"

     "No Harry I think I'll stay on the couch for a while. Chakotay should be
off duty in a little while. I'll be OK till then. Would you do me a favor
though?"

     "Sure. What ?"

     "Bring my computer over here from my desk please?"

     "You bet." He walked over to her desk. "Do you want these pads too?"

     "Yes please. I may as well get a little work done while I'm sitting here."

     "Captain, you're supposed to be resting."

     "I've been resting for almost two days now." Harry looked at her.

     "If the Cmdr. gives me a hard time about this-"

     "I'll toss him in the brig." She said with a little laugh.  He brought the
computer and pads over to her. Then he leaned down and scooped Annika up.

     "Time to go home Nikki?" He said, "We don't want Seven to beat us home do
we. Besides I think I can get you back down for a little bit longer nap."
Then cradling her in his arm he picked up the baby bag. "Captain, thanks
for the lunch and the help."

     "Any time Harry. Any time. My shingle is always out and my door always
open to you." He laughed and headed to the door. As he left he called out.

     "Tell Comdr.. Chakotay I said congratulations." And left.
****************************************

     That night, after dinner and picking up the kitchen Seven took over with
Nikki. Harry seemed tired and looked a little pale to her.

     "Why don't you find a movie for us to watch?" She suggested. "I will not
be long."

     "OK You talked me into it." He smiled but rubbed his forehead with his
hand.

     "Harry are you feeling all right?" She asked.

     "I'm fine Seven, just tired that's all. Go on, take care of Nikki. I'm all
right.  Really." She gave him one of her Borg stares but did as he asked.
He went in, sat down on the couch and started going through the movie data
base, the small headache he had was starting to grow. He decided to stretch
out on the couch for a while and see if it helped. It did a little. He
closed his eyes and almost dozed off when he heard Seven say,

     "Good night Annika." And then the bedroom door woosh shut. He looked up
expecting Seven to come over and sit down next to him. And she did, but she
was wearing a nightgown and robe. He had a sneaking suspicion the Captain
had loaned it to her. He swore he'd seen Janeway in it one night down in
the mess hall when neither of them had been able to sleep.

     "Seven, you look nice." He said.

     "Only nice?" She asked.

     "You look beautiful." He said softly. For a moment he forgot his headache.
But she could see something was wrong.

     "Why don't you go get ready for bed?" She said. "We can watch a movie
tomorrow."

     "Maybe you're right. I'm really tired."

     He got up and went into the bathroom .  He came out a few minutes later,
ready for bed himself and prepared to fix the couch up to sleep on. She
took his hand and stopped him.

     "No, not on the couch. Tonight you sleep on the bed." She looked at him
and in a shy voice added, "With me."

     Smiling he allowed her to lead him into the bedroom. Quietly they both got
into bed so they wouldn't disturb Nikki. He had to admit, he wasn't looking
forward to another night on the couch. He wasn't sure what she expected but
the way he felt, all he wanted to do was sleep. She seemed to sense it and
laying on her side gently rested her hand on his waist and fell asleep. He
watched her for a few minutes in the star light, then he drifted off too.
*************************************************************

     It had been a long day. It seemed like every time he went into the ready
room to try and get some work done, some one or something needed his
attention. Chakotay walked back to Kathryn's quarters looking forward to
the first quiet time he'd had all day. He let himself in and found Kathryn
stretched out on the couch, a pillow under her knee, reading a pad. She
turned when he walked in and smiled.

     "Hi, you're kind of late." She said.

     "Ohhhhh. You would not believe the day I've had." She sat up and carefully
swung her legs down onto the floor. He plopped down next to her.

     "Not so easy in the center seat is it?" She said.

     "I never said it was." He groaned and rubbed his shoulder. "I swear, every
time I sat down in your chair in the ready room, someone would call. I was
down in  engineering a half dozen times. Then we ran into a class 3 ion
storm. It was one thing after another."

     She smiled a little and angled herself on the couch so she could reach his
shoulders.

     "Lean forward." She said softly. He did and she gently started massaging
his shoulders and neck. As she did she gently quizzed him on the day. "Was
there any damage from the Ion storm?"

     "No. Ohh Kathryn that feels wonderful. . . . . . We managed to get through
the storm without any problems. Ohhhh yeah. Right there."

     "What about engineering?"

     "Oh, it was a lot of little things. B 'Elanna was having some trouble with
a power fluctuation. She and Joe were both working on it. Turned out, ohhhh
God you're good. Is this what I've been missing all these years?"

     "Guess so. Turned out to be what?"

     "Huh? Oh, it was a bad gel pack." He sighed as she kept rubbing. Finally
she stopped.

     "Why don't you go get a shower and change? I'll have some dinner waiting
when you get done. You have clean clothes on the bed in our room." He
turned and gave her a surprised look when she said 'our' instead of 'my'
for the bedroom.

     "What about your knee?"

     "The Doctor stopped by and worked his magic. It's feeling almost as good
as new. He said I can go back to work tomorrow if I take it easy. I'm not
on total bed rest anymore.  So go on. Take a nice hot shower and I'll have
things all set when you come out." He got up turned and gave her a kiss.

     "Yes Ma ' am." He said and went into the bedroom. He stopped at the door
and looking back at her he said, "Lord, you give a wicked massage lady."
Then with a smile he went into the bathroom.
     Morning came and Harry opened his eyes. The headache was gone, but so was
Seven. He looked over at the crib. Nikkie was gone too. Then an aroma
wafted through the open door. For a moment he thought he was dreaming. It
smelled like bacon. Then he heard Nikkie's little voice as she started to
fuss.

     "Shh shh. Annika. Let papa sleep." Papa. There was something about hearing
her say that and know that she was taVoyag about him that made him feel so
good. He decided to get up and see what his girls had cooked up for him.
Throwing off the covers he sat up, put on his robe and then rubbing the
sleep out of his eyes, half stumbled half walked into the little kitchen
area of their quarters.

     Seven had Annika in a baby seat sitting on the table so she could watch
Seven as she worked. She also had the table set. Not only was the bacon
driving him crazy, but he smelled coffee too. And seeing Seven in the
morning wasn't too hard to take either. She still had her nightgown and
robe on and her hair was simply pulled back and held by a clasp. *A lot
like the Captain used to do when her hair was still long.* He thought.

     "Good morning ladies'." He said as he walked in. He went over to Seven
first and gave her a kiss. "Thanks for letting me sleep in." He said. She
just smiled. Then he went over to Nikkie. "Hello munchkin. Give papa a
kiss." He leaned down and gave her a little kiss on the cheek. She watched
him for a minute and then she smiled at him. "Seven did she just smile at
me?" He asked.

     "Yes I believe she did. She has been doing that all morning." Seven walked
over to stand by his side. I have breakfast prepared for you, if you're
ready?"

     "I've been ready since I smelled the bacon from the bedroom." he answered.
 There were definitely perks to having a girlfriend who had almost a years
worth of replicater rations saved up. He could learn to like this. He sat
down at his place.

     "You *are* going to eat with me aren't you?" He said to Seven.

     "I was not planning on it."

     "Seven, come on, sit down. At least have a cup of coffee with me."

     "If you insist." She got a herself some coffee and sat down. "I'm
beginning to see why the Captain drinks so much of this."

     "Oh, and why is that?"

     "It has a stimulating effect on the body." She took another sip. "It is
also mildly addictive."

     "Mildly my ass." He said. "You do not want to talk to the Captain in the
morning till she's had at least two cups of coffee." He took a bite of his
eggs. "Seven this is great.  The eggs are perfect and the bacon, . . .
Seven you are spoiling me." She took another sip of coffee and there was a
little smile on her face. He noticed she was doing that a lot more these
last two days. He finished his breakfast and she drank her coffee.

     "Well, I'm on duty today so I better go get a shower. Then I'll have some
time to spend with you and Nikki."

     "If you plan to spend it with Nikki, I suggest you do that now. You
remember what happened yesterday."

     "Oh yeah. Well, that was my fault. I shouldn't have picked her up over my
head like that." When he'd gotten back from the Captain's the day before
he'd decided to play with Nikki for a while and she'd lost her bottle all
over him. "Well, then I'll play with my little girl now and then I'll get
ready for work." And that was how they spent the rest of the morning. He
was on his third cup of coffee when Seven suddenly said.

     "Harry, you better go get ready. It is getting late."

     "Oh my gosh, I have fifteen minutes." He gave her a quick kiss, then
deposited one on Nikki's little forehead and rushed off." Ten minutes later
he came out, showered shaved and in a clean uniform.

     "Bye girls." he said kissing both of them. "Be good for Mommy Nikki." He
said, "I'll be home late."

     "I'll be waiting." She said. "Now go." He looked at them one more time and
left with a smile on his face.
*************************************************************
     Chakotay rolled over to see Kathryn sit up in bed and tell the computer to
shut up. "I hate that damn alarm." She muttered.

     "So, why don't we go back to sleep for a while and ignore it?" He said.

     "Because I've been off the bridge for two days. I've rested enough
Chakotay." He made a disappointed face at her. "We'll have plenty of time
to spend with each other now, Comdr.." She said leaning over to kiss him.
He pulled her over and gave her a real kiss. When she finally came up for
air, she said, "Do you want to have Tom Paris tease
you about being late? You know he will."

     "Oh God, that's the last thing I need. I'm sure he already suspects
something's going on."

     "Well, something is." She said with a chuckle. "Now, get up Comdr..
Chakotay, because I need to use the bathroom too, this morning." She got
out of bed and went into the kitchen.

     *How can she look that good first thing in the morning?* He thought as he
sat on the edge of the bed, still only half awake.

     "Do you want coffee or tea?" she called from the replicater in the
kitchen.

     "Coffee." he called back. "I need a little extra kick this morning. I'm
gone get in the shower."

     "The coffee will be waiting when you get out."

     Twenty minutes later he came out showered, and shaved.

     "The bathroom is yours my queen." He said as he sat down to drink his
coffee.

     "Queen, huh?" She chuckled. And headed toward the bathroom. He took a sip
of his coffee and was just taking another when he heard. "Ohh God, what
died  in here? CHAKOTAY !" She stalked back out into the kitchen area.
Murder in her eyes.

     "What?" He said innocently.

     "From now on, *I* get the bathroom FIRST !" She said. "Didn't you ever
hear of using the ventilator?"

     "Never needed it before." he said. "Sorry."

     "Sorry huh? Not as sorry as I am." She made a face. "It's going to take at
least 10 minutes to get the smell out of that bathroom. Now I'm going to be
late."

     "Oh come on Kathryn, it's not that bad.  You're exaggerating."

     "Go in there now and take a whiff."

     "I'd rather not."

     "There, there you see, you see? You don't want to because you know how bad
it is."  She sat down in her chair and looked at him triumphantly.

     "All right, you win." He held up his hands in surrender. "Want another cup
of coffee while you're waiting?"

     "I thought you'd never ask."  Half an hour later, they were both ready and
heading up to the bridge.

     "Do you think we should walk in together?" She asked as they got into the
elevator. He gave her a look.

     "Kathryn, you sound like Tom and B ' Elanna. Of course we should. We've
walked onto the bridge together dozens of times."

     "I guess you're right." Then she punched him in the arm.

     "Owww. What was that for?"

     "For comparing me to Tom and B 'Elanna." She said as the doors to the
turbo opened. They walked out on the bridge and were greeted by Tom.

     "Morning Captain, how's the knee?"

     "Much better Tom." She said as she took her seat. "It's still a little
stiff but much better."

     "Oh, well I was just wondering. When you were late I thought maybe there
was a problem." He turned around with a smile on his face. He saw
Chakotay's face start to turn red. "But I guess the Comdr. was there to
help. That is why you were late too, wasn't it Comdr.?" He said. On his
board he saw a message flashing at him.

     *Tom are you crazy? Shut up before she busts you down to crewman.* It was
from B 'Elanna.

     "Well, ensign, thank you for your concern. But like you said, the Comdr.
was there if I needed help." She said it in a voice that said the subject
was done being discussed.  "Now, shall we get back to the business of
running this ship?"

     "Yes Ma'am." He said, but there was still a smile on his face.

     The rest of the morning went along smoothly. She managed to get up and
walk into her ready room without any help. Although Chakotay had to
practically sit on his hands to keep from helping her. At lunch he went
into her ready room and didn't come out.

     "See, I told you something's going on." Tom said as soon as the door was
shut.

     "Tom Paris, the only thing going on is you." B 'Elanna said. "You came so
close to crossing the line this morning. If' I'd been Chakotay, I'd have
decked you."

     "Ahh but you're not. And I'm telling you, there is something going on
between those two." At that moment the turbo opened and Harry walked onto
the bridge.

     "Hi everyone." He said. "Where's the Captain?"

     "They're in the Ready Room. *Having lunch.*" Tom said.

     "What's that supposed to mean Tom?" He asked. He knew but he wasn't about
to give Tom any more ammunition.

     "Oh come on Harry, everyone knows he spent the last two nights with her."

     "I'm sure it was on the couch, Tom." Harry said, diplomatically.

     "Yeah, on the couch." Tom said, as the door to the Ready Room opened and
the Captain and Comdr. came back out.

     "Harry, good afternoon. How's the baby?" The Captain asked.

     "She's doing great Captain. She smiled at me this morning."

     "Sounds like you and Seven are doing a wonderful job with her. I'll have
to stop by later and visit with her and Seven."

     "I'm sure Seven would enjoy the company." Harry said.

     "Then I'll do that as soon as I'm off duty. Maybe the Comdr.. would like
to come along." She said.

     "Yes I would Captain."

     "Very well, then shall we get back to business?" The rest of the afternoon
went as smoothly as the morning. She and Chakotay stopped and visited with
Seven later that afternoon and things seemed to settle into a comfortable
pattern for the next couple of days. She and Chakotay got to know each
other much better as did Seven and Harry. Chakotay had worked out a
schedule so that when Seven was on duty Harry wasn't and vice versa. And he
made sure that after that second night, they were both on Alpha shift.

     Then three days later, Seven was home with Annika when the door chirped.
It was Naomi and Mezoti.

     "Hi Seven. Can we visit the baby?" Naomi asked.

     "Of course. Come in." She had learned to be much more tolerant of the two
children. Naomi was a great help to Mezoti. She explained things to her and
went out of her way to be a friend. In her own way, Mezoti reciprocated.
Seven stood back and the girls walked into the living room. Nikki was on a
blanket on the floor looking up at a mobile and grabbing at it.

     "Oh Seven, she's so cute." Naomi said as they two girls took their places
on either side of her. Seven looked at them and allowed herself to smile as
they played with the baby.

     "Naomi, will you and Mezoti please watch the baby while I work on some
reports at my desk in the bedroom?"

     "You bet!" Naomi said smiling. "Wait till I tell Mom I got to babysit."

     "Very well." Seven said and walked into the bedroom to work.

     "Why does she need us to watch the baby?" Mezoti asked.

     "Oh, because you just never know when a little baby might spit up or do
something that could hurt them, by accident. You never want to leave them
alone."  Seven listened to them talk for a few minutes and was assured that
Annika was just fine. As long as she didn't need to be held. She got back
to work and was just getting involved when she got a call.

     *Sickbay to Seven of Nine.*

     "Yes Doctor what is-"

     *Seven, I need you down here right away. Ensign Kim was just brought in.*

     "I'm on my way. Seven out." She got up and started to leave, till she came
out and saw the baby. She didn't want to drag Nikki along if she didn't
have to. She also didn't want to alarm the girls.

     "Naomi, Mezoti, I have been asked to report to sickbay. Can you keep an
eye on Annika for a short time?"

     "You bet Seven. We'll take good care of her."

     "Just remember that if you pick he up she will start to cry."

     "I will."

     "I will be back as soon as I can." And she left. Once she got to sickbay,
she saw Harry on the diagnostic bed. The sides were up. The Doctor was
scanning him and then injected him with something, while the Captain tried
to calm him.

     "There Ensign, that should ease the pain." The Doctor said. Harry relaxed
visibly.

     "Harry!" Seven closed the ground between the door and the biobed in
seconds.  "What is wrong?" She came around and, ne Captain backed off and
let her get up close to him. She picked up the hand that the Captain had
been holding.

     "I'm OK Seven." He said weekly.

     "That's not entirely true Ensign." The Doctor said. "Seven, has he been
having any headaches recently?"

     "No." She said but at the same time he said,

     "Yes."

     "Yes?" Then she remembered the night he was obviously not feeling well.
"Why didn't you tell me?"

     "I didn't want you to worry about me." He said. At that the Captain rolled
her eyes in frustration.

     "Men!" She snapped. "Doctor do you have any idea what the problem is?"

     "Yes as a matter of fact Captain, I do. Headaches are a side affect of the
nano probes he had injected in him on the Borg cube. With treatment, they
can be controlled and eventually will go away, but left alone, they get
worse and eventually cause the patient to  *collapse*. Isn't that right
Ensign Kim?"

     "Yes Doctor that's right." he said.

     "Doctor are you sure?" Seven asked.

     "Yes quite. You remember when you injected Neelix with the nanoprobes when
he had been injured?"

     "Yes.  He has recovered quite well."

     "Yes he has, but what you don't know is that for the first couple of weeks
he had terrible headaches. He finally told me, and I was able to treat him
for them and eventually they subsided. To tell you the truth, I was
wondering if Harry would develop them."

     "Well, I'm glad we know what the problem is." The Captain said. "She
walked around to Harry and bent over to talk to him. "Ensign, if you ever
scare me like that again, because you were too stubborn to get help, I'll
not only put you on report, I'll have you scrubbing the plasma manifolds
for a week. Do I make myself clear?"

     "Yes Ma ' am." He said in a weak voice.

     "Good. Now I want you to take the next three days?" She looked up at the
Doctor for confirmation. He nodded. "The next three days off. Seven, make
sure he-"  She was interrupted by Naomi's little voice.

     *Seven of Nine, this is Naomi. Come in please.*

     "What is it Naomi?" She asked.
     
     *Seven, you're never gonna believe what just happened. Nikki started to
cry because she needed her pants changed, and -*

     "Naomi can this wait?" The Captain asked.

     *Captain, no it can't. When Nikki started to cry, I told Mezoti to bring
her into the bedroom while I got the diaper ready, and Captain, she stopped
crying. When Mezoti holds her she doesn't cry.*
     Later that afternoon, the Doctor, the Captain and Seven of Nine sat in the
Doctor's office, watching as Mezoti sat in sickbay holding Nikki. The
doctor had given Harry a sedative and he was sleeping on the other side of
sickbay.

     "All right Doctor, you've examined her and you said you think you know why
the baby isn't crying. So tell us. Why?"

     "I said I have a theory Captain. I need to try one more thing before I'm
sure."

     At that moment Neelix came bustling into sickbay. He said a quick hello to
Mezoti and then did a double take when he saw Nikki sleeping peacefully in
the little girls arms.

     "Ahh Mr. Neelix, it's about time."

     "I'm sorry Doctor but you caught me in the middle of dinner prep. I had to
find someone to take over."

     "Very well, Neelix." He said as he started to scan him. When he was
satisfied he put the scanner away. "Mr. Neelix would you please take the
baby from Mezoti?"

     "She's going to start to cry Doctor."

     "Maybe not. Please Mr. Neelix, just do as I ask."

     "OK." He said but he sounded concerned. "Mezoti, just let me take her from
you." He said as he put one hand under the baby's head and the other under
her little body. The Captain and Seven stood watching. Neelix stood up with
the baby in his arms and waited for her to start, but she didn't. She
didn't even wake up. Neelix was shocked.

     "Doctor, why isn't she crying?"

     "I was right." The Doctor crowed. "Captain, Seven come in here. Neelix the
reason she's not crying is because of the nano probes in your system. "

     "Of course." The Captain said. "It's all fitting together now. Seven ,
Harry, Neelix and Mezoti all have the nano probes in their system. I'll bet
she'd be OK with Icheb and Azon and Rebbi too."

     "Probably, but I think she's in the best hands with Seven." Neelix turned
and handed the baby back to her. "She may be quiet with us, but she loves
Seven and Harry."  He turned to the Captain and the Doctor. "If it's OK
Doctor I'd like to get back to my kitchen."

     "Go ahead Mr. Neelix." The Talaxian hustled out of sickbay, but not before
stopping to give Seven a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

     "Well Doctor, at least we have one mystery solved." The Captain said. "Now
all we need to do is find her family when we get to Adrini. I'll be on the
bridge. Call me if there's any change in Harry's condition. Seven, why
don't you take Nikki home. I think she's had enough excitement for one
day." She said softly as she peered down at the tiny face.

     "Yes Captain." She said quietly. Janeway looked at her. She seemed
troubled about something.

     "Call me if you need me." She added and then left sickbay.

     "Doctor, when can Harry come ho-" She caught herself. "when will he be
released to quarters?"

     "You can come get him in the morning Seven, if all goes well."

     "Thank you Doctor." She walked over to look at Harry for a moment. She
touched his cheek gently with her right hand, then she left.
*************************************************************

     "Seven of Nine, return the infant to us." Seven looked around. She was in
an assimilation chamber.

     "No. I won't. I must return her to her family."

     "We are her family." A voice said from the darkness at the far end of the
room.  She clutched the baby to her. Then from the other side of the
chamber a single drone walked toward her. A female drone. Even with all the
implants, the resemblance was unmistakable.  She was Annika's mother.
"Return the infant to us." She said.

     "NO ! I won't let you have her." Seven screamed. She sat up in bed, in a
cold sweat. Annika was startled awake by the noise and started to cry.
Seven got up and went to the crib. She picked up the baby and took her over
to the changing table. After a quick diaper change, she took her into the
living room, got her a bottle and sat down in Harry's favorite chair. She
looked at the baby and sighed.

     "I do not want to give you up Annika." She said softly. "I love you." A
tear slid down her cheek. She had been thinking that thought for days now,
but this was the first time she had actually said the words. She inhaled
and the scent of Harry's cologne was there, along with the smell of baby
powder. How she wished he was there with her.

     It had only been a week, but now with him gone the bed seemed so big and
lonely. She almost wanted to go down to her alcove. She finished giving
Annika her bottle, changed her once more and then gently put her back in
her crib. She stood and watched as the baby fell back to sleep. Then she
went back into the living room. Sitting back down in Harry's chair she
pulled an afghan around her and slowly fell asleep.
************************************************************

     "Doc, I'm feeling much better. I can go back to our place on my own."

     "Absolutely not. Seven will be here shortly I'm sure. She must have had to
take care of Annika." At that moment the doors opened and Seven walked into
sickbay.

     "Doctor, I apologize for being late. I had to wait for Mr. Neelix to get
to our quarters. He is watching Annika."

     "Of course Seven. I understand." He said. Then turning to Harry, he said,
 "Well, I'm sure you've come for Ensign Kim. He's all yours, so to speak."

     "Are there any special instructions Doctor?"

     "He's to stay off his feet for the rest of today. Tomorrow he can get up
but he's confined to quarters. Ensign, if there is any hint of a headache,
I want to know about it immediately. Don't try to tough it out. Is that
clear?"

     "Yes sir." Harry said. Seven walked over to him and helped him to his
feet.

     "Thank you Doctor. I will make sure he follows orders. Transporter room,
this is Seven of Nine. Energize."

     When they rematerialized, in the living room Neelix was sitting on the
couch with Nikki on his lap. He was holding her little hands in his and
talking to her.

     "So is my little Nikki ready for lunch?" The baby cooed happily at him.
"Well, then let's go and see what Mama has for you?" He looked up as Seven
and Harry appeared.

     "Well, look who's here?" He picked up the baby. "Ensign, how are you
feeling?"

     "Much better Neelix."

     "Come along Ensign." Seven took him by the arm and led him into the
bedroom.  Neelix followed them. "Into bed." She said, in a less then happy
voice.

     "Yes Ma ' am." He said sheepishly as he got under the covers.

     As Seven fixed the covers she leaned over and said, "You and I will have a
little talk after Neelix leaves." She said so only he could hear.

     "Uh oh." He said back. She gave him one of her Borg looks then went over
to Neelix.

     "Thank you Neelix. I appreciate your help this morning."

     "Any time Seven. I enjoyed spending time with our little girl." He handed
her back to Seven. "Harry, if you have any questions about the headaches
just give me a call. I'll help any way I can. I'm just glad the Doctor
caught it so fast for you. I suffered with them for two weeks before I
finally asked the Doctor for help."

     "Thanks Neelix." Harry said.

     "Well, I have to get started on lunch. I better go." He could see Seven
wanted to talk to Harry and thought it was best he not stick around. Harry
on the other hand was hoping Neelix would stay. "Seven, let me know if you
need me again." And he headed for the door.

     Seven gave Harry a look over her shoulder and followed Neelix to the door.
 He suddenly had an idea. When she walkeund ck into the room, he was lying
there with  his eyes closed. To the casual observer, they would have
thought he was asleep. But this was Seven. She put Nikki in her crib.

     "Good try, Ensign." She said. He opened up one eye and peered at her.

     "I thought I'd give it a try."

     "Why didn't you tell me about this?" She walked over and sat on the bed
next to him.

     "I didn't want to worry you."

     "Oh, and you're collapsing on the bridge, was not supposed to worry me?"
She shook her head. "I sometimes marvel at the male mind. The illogic that
stems from it at times is almost frightening."

     "Very funny." He said.

     "I'm glad you can see the humor in this situation." She said. "I am having
trouble with it." She got up. "Now, is there anything I can get you?"

     "No, not right now."

     "Very well, then I expect you and Nikki to take at least an hours nap." He
opened his mouth to protest. "No argument. I am in charge for today."

     "Yes Ma ' am." He looked at her. "You wouldn't be interested in joining
me, would you?" At that she couldn't help herself. She smiled at him.

     "I may join you in a short while. I am somewhat, . . . . fatigued." She
bent over and gave him a kiss. "Go to sleep. Computer dim lights to 10%."
Then she turned and left.

     The rest of the week was uneventful. Harry got well, and with the Doctor's
treatments the headaches were over. On the surface things seemed fine
between him and Seven, but there was something bothering her. He couldn't
put his finger on it and every time he tried to get her to talk about it,
she got evasive and changed the subject.

     Finally one afternoon, they both had the day off. He was playing with
Nikki and she was getting some lunch.

     *Bridge to Seven of Nine and Ensign Kim.*

     "Yes Captain." Harry answered.

     *Good news. We heard from Adrini. They have found Annika's grandparents.
They are very anxious to see their granddaughter.* There was silence.
*Harry, Seven, are you still there?*

     "Yes Captain, we're here. That is good news. When will we get to Adrini?"
Harry asked.

     *Two days Harry.*

     "Thank you Captain. We'll start getting her things together." He was
saying all  the right things, but his voice wasn't convincing her.

     *Harry are you all right?*

     "Yes Captain I'm -" In the middle of his sentence he heard a sob come from
the kitchen and Seven ran into the bedroom, closing the door.

     *Harry what was that?*

     "Ahh, nothing. Captain, I'll get back to you in a minute. I need to change
Nikki.  Kim out."  He grabbed Nikki and went to the bedroom. He almost
walked into the door.

     "Seven, open the door. Please Seven, I have to take care of Nikki." The
door slid open.  She was sitting on the bed with her back to him. "Here
Nikki, I'll be right back." He put her in her crib and went over to Seven.

     "What's wrong? And don't say *nothing*, because I'm not buying it."

     "I cannot give her back." Seven said very matter of factly.

     "We don't have a choice. Seven you heard the Captain. They found her
family.  They want her. Seven, she never was ours to begin with. We both
knew that going in."

     "Can you honestly say you want to give her up?"

     "No, I can't.  And I'm not.  But what's right is right. Seven I love her
so much.  I've been secretly hoping that they wouldn't find her family and
that even if they did, they wouldn't want her. But that's not gonna
happen."

     "I do not believe they will take care of her the way we can." She didn't
tell him about the dream that still haunted her.

     "You don't know that."

     "I do."

     "How?  Seven how?" Then it came out. The dream and the fear that somehow
the Borg would get her again.

     "I won't let that happen Harry." She was shaking and in tears. Harry took
her in his  arms and held her.

     "Seven, if there's any hint of trouble I'm sure the Captain will step in.
But in the meantime, we have to face the fact that she's got grand- parents
who want her and we have to give her up." She pulled back and looked at
him.

     "Do you really believe that?"

     "Yes, I do. Now, why don't you lay down and get a little rest." He eased
her back on the bed. "I'm gonna pick up and I'll come in and lay down for a
while too. OK?"

     "OK." She snuffed. He brushed a tear off her face. "Close your eyes. I'll
be in in a few minutes." She closed her eyes. He sat there till he was sure
she was asleep. So was Nikki. He got up and went out into the living room
closing the door. Then he sat down and put his face in his hands and cried
himself.
***********************************************************

     The next two days flew by and yet dragged by too. Harry did his shift but
it was almost mechanical. He wanted to spend every spare minute with
Annika. Finally the day came. They had all of her things packed and shipped
down to the planet ahead of time. The Captain had invited the couple up to
the ship and visited for a while. They had talked with the Doctor and
agreed to have a small amount of nano probes injected in order to make the
transition easier for Nikki.

     She liked them right away. She could see they were good caring people.
They found out that their daughter and her husband had been assimilated by
the Borg. They had no idea their daughter was even pregnant.   When the
grandmother had seen Nikki for the first time she
burst into tears, sobbing about how much she looked like their daughter.

     Back in their quarters, Harry and Seven waited. He paced back and fourth
waiting for the Captain to call. Seven just held Nikki on the couch.

     *Janeway to Kim.*

     "Go ahead Captain."

     *Ensign, the baby's grandparents are here for her. Would you please bring
her to the transporter room?*

     "We'll be down in a few minutes Captain. Kim out." He got up and turned to
Seven.

     "No, I won't let them take her." Seven clutched Annika to her chest. Tears
streaming down her face.

     "Seven, we've been through all this. They're her grandparents. You have to
let them have her. It's her family."

     "WE are her family !"

     "Ohhh Seven." Harry sighed and flopped down on the couch. "I don't want
this anymore then you do. I love that baby like she was my own. It's
tearing my heart out to give her up. But just think about it for a minute.
If we've become this attached to her in a few short weeks, and it hurts
this bad to give her up, can you imagine how her grandparents must feel?
They lost their only child to the Borg. But now, we've given them a small
part of her back. Seven, we have to give Annika to them."

     He watched Seven as she stood holding the baby, cradling Nikki in her arms
so tenderly. He could see the emotional war going on inside her. She knew
it was the right thing to do, but she had come to love the tiny baby as
much as he had. She looked at him and finally nodded yes to him.

     "That's my girl." He said softly. "You hang onto me. We'll get through
this together I promise." He reached out and squeezed her non Borg hand.
She nodded again, wiped the tears from her human eye, took a shuddering
breath and then squaring her shoulders turned toward the door.

     When they got to the transporter room, the Captain and Chakotay were
waiting along with Annika's grandparents. Harry noticed there was no one
behind the transporter console.

     "Seven of Nine, Ensign Kim, these are the baby's grandparents, Anthel and
Viat." Harry nodded and said,

     "Sir, Ma'am. " Seven remained silent.

     "So you are the two young people who have taken such wonderful care of our
granddaughter. We cannot tell you how much this means to us." Anthel, the
grandfather said.

     "We thought we had lost our daughter for ever. She was our only child."
Viat said. There were tears in her eyes and the look of gratitude and
desire to have her granddaughter was almost palpable. Sensing the tension
in the situation Anthel tried to hurry things along.

     "Well, Captain we have taken up enough of your time. We would like to take
our granddaughter home."

     "Of course, Anthel. Seven would you please give the baby to her
grandmother?" Seven just stood there, frozen in place. She looked down at
Annika, then at the Captain. Janeway knew how she felt but they had no
choice. Before things got any worse Harry stepped over and gently took
Annika from Seven. She looked at him and a tear slid down her cheek.
"Together." Harry said so only she could hear, then he carried Annika over
to Viat.

     "Good bye Nikki. Be a good girl. Papa loves you." He said softly and gave
her a little kiss on her forehead before he handed her to her new family.

     "Ensign Kim, what did you call her?" Anthel asked

     "Oh, we named her Annika. That was Seven's human name. But I call her
Nikki." The two grandparents looked at each other and nodded.

     "If it is all right with you, we would like to keep that name. It is our
only way of thanking you for all you and Seven of Nine have done." Harry
looked over at Seven. She nodded yes. Anthel could see how hard this was
for the two of them. "My dear, I think it is time to leave. Again, thank
you Captain." He helped his wife up onto the transporter pad. Chakotay had
gone behind the console.

     "You're welcome Anthel. Good bye." Her voice was husky and Harry saw the
tears in her eyes too. "Energize." She barely managed to get the word out.
In seconds it was all over. Annika was gone. The Captain stood for a moment
watching the two of them. Then choking back her own tears, she said,
"Harry, if you need me, I'll be in my quarters for a while."

     "Yes Ma ' am." He said softly, not really trusting his own voice at that
moment.

     Chakotay put his arm around her shoulders and he and the Captain left the
transporter room, leaving Seven and Harry alone. Harry turned back to look
at Seven.
     
     Their eyes met and then she just sank to her knees on the floor in tears.
Harry went to her and knelt down in front of her. He put his arms around
her and they cried together.

     Later that evening, Harry was sitting in the living room of what had now
become *their* quarters, trying to work on a report. The door chirped.

     "Come in." He called. The door opened and the Captain walked in. Harry
started to get up."

     "No no, sit down Harry." She walked over and sat down on the couch across
from him. After a few moments she asked, "How's she doing?"

     "She's OK." He said softly. "She finally fell asleep." He didn't add that
she'd cried herself to sleep. The Captain felt bad enough already.

     "I hope so. Harry, I just want you to know that if there was any way I-"

     "Captain, . . . . . Kathryn. We both know how you feel. You fell in love
with her too didn't you?" Janeway could only nod. Harry got up and handed
her the tissue box he had on the table next to him. She took a couple and
smiled through her tears.

     "How did you know I'd need those?" She asked.  Harry smiled
back.

     "We've been going through a lot of them in the last few hours. Believe me,
you aren't the only one who's stopped to check on Seven.
Let me see; Samantha's been here, Tom and B 'Elanna, the Doctor. Did you
know holograms can cry?"  Janeway wiped her eyes but all she could do was
shake her head no. "Even Naomi and Mezoti were here for a while." He came
around and sat down next to her on the couch.

     "How are you doing Harry?" She asked. She reached out and put a hand on
top of his folded ones.

     "I'm doing OK too. I have my moments, but I think of the look on Viat's
face as she held Nikki, and I know we did the right thing." Janeway looked
at him for a moment and then they sat in silence for a while, each lost in
their own thoughts.  Finally she broke the quiet.

     "I was wondering, would you like me to have engineering cut a door between
your quarters and Seven's?"  Harry looked at her for a moment in surprise.
"Well, I just thought since they were already doing the same thing in our
quarters they may as well do it here too." She looked at him and gave him
one of her lopsided smiles.

     "Yes Ma'am. I'd like that. I think Seven will too."

     "Good. Well, I still have a mound of paper work waiting for me in my ready
room.  I better get going." She stood up and Harry stood with her. She
walked over and peaked  in the bedroom. Seven was laying on her side. Her
hair loose on the pillow. The Captain could see the tear stains still on
her face. She walked back over to Harry.

     "Captain, thank you." That was all he could say, but the look in his eyes
told her so much more. She gave him a hug and they walked to the door. As
it slid open, Harry looked at her and said, "Captain, you know, you may
want to check and see if there are any regulations for or against an ensign
marrying a former Borg drone."

     "I'll check on that Ensign. Have a good evening." She said and walked out
into the hall. The door slid shut behind her.  She'd only been there for 5
minutes, but for the first time in days, she felt happy again. And she
couldn't help but look forward to the time when another little Annika would
be the newest crew member of her ship, again.

The End ?