NEW VOY 'To Err is Human'  [PG13] (K/7)
NFS: To Err is Human [PG-13]
To Err is Human


I thoroughly enjoyed watching Human Error, and you can too!  This story is guaranteed to make 
you love that episode, or your money cheerfully refunded.  (Ok, so there's no actual money 
involved, but try it, you'll like it.)  Hard to believe?  Well, read and see.  Think I'm in denial?  
Jump on in, the water's fine.  ;-)


Title: To Err is Human
Author: Anne Rose
Email: anne3rose@yahoo.com 
URL: http://annerose.cjb.net
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Voyager and its characters belong to Paramount Pictures.  No infringement intended.
Spoilers: Human Error
Summary: K/7, some J/C, P/T,  Harry and Seven discuss the events of Human Error. (36k)
Archive: Yes, I would be honored if you want to archive it. Please let me know where so I can 
visit it. 
Author's Note: If you hated Human Error, hopefully this will make you feel better.  Thanks to 
Henry Lee and Hubby for beta reading.  © March 23, 2001



To Err is Human
by Anne Rose


Seven was working in Astrometrics, on the gravimetric array she had promised the Captain, 
when Harry found her.  He arrived, ostensibly to deliver a report, but he actually wanted to 
investigate the changes he had seen recently in Seven; the apology to B'Elanna about missing the 
baby shower, the gift, and then asking B'Elanna about styling her hair.  She had been engaging in 
one "irrelevant" social interaction after another.  Her whole attitude had changed - more relaxed 
and open.  In fact, he had half believed his own comment that she might be an alien invader 
instead of their Seven of Nine.  

He had hoped this signaled a turning point in their relationship.  They had grown much closer in 
the past year.  Their time together on the Nightingale and on a number of away missions had 
provided the opportunity for long discussions on many topics, allowing them to get to know each 
other beyond the rigid definitions of their work.  They had come to rely on each other both on 
and off duty for friendship as well as each other's technical skills.  But then, after the alien 
warhead had been destroyed, and the ship saved, instead of joining in the celebration with the 
rest of the crew, she had again hidden away to work.

"Seven, here is the data you requested," he said, extending the PADD to her.

She took it without comment and turned back to her console.  She continued inputting in data.  
He watched her back as she worked - the curves of her body outlined clearly by her biosuit.  She 
was mesmerizing.  "Ensign, you are still here.  Do you require something else?" she asked 
without turning around.  

He smiled, a few years ago he would have blushed and stammered, but not now.  "I wanted to 
see how you were," he replied, gently.  "You haven't been yourself lately, and I thought you 
might need someone to talk to."

She regarded him - analyzing him for a moment.  "Your observations are correct.  I have been 
performing at less than peak efficiency, but I believe I have remedied the situation."  She paused, 
and considered her recent 'lessons' on social interaction.  "Thank you for your concern... Harry."

He smiled at her, and encouraged by her use of his name, he decided to press on - nothing 
ventured, nothing gained.  "I see.  Then, are you feeling up to attending the party tomorrow night 
at Sandrine's?  It's nothing fancy, just an excuse to unwind..."  He trailed off, looking at her 
hopefully.

"I have a great deal of work to complete here.  I doubt I will have time for a party."

"I understand," Harry sighed, and turned around to leave, but then he stopped.  Turning back 
around, his voice rising, "No, Seven, actually I don't understand.  You've been trying for years to 
become more human, and in the last two weeks you seemed to have made a breakthrough.  But 
now you're turning your back on it and going back to being a drone again."  The angry edge to 
his voice had softened, and was replaced with sadness and desperation as he continued, "Why?  
What happened?  Please talk to me," he pleaded.

Seven considered him for a moment, "Harry, I must complete this work, but perhaps afterwards 
we could meet and 'talk'.  Would 1900 this evening be acceptable?"

"Yes," he said, a little dazed by her sudden reversal, "1900 would be fine.  Shall we meet in the 
mess hall?  We could have dinner."

"I would prefer to conduct our discussion in private.  I am still not comfortable with the events of 
the past two weeks, and I do not want them to become common knowledge on the ship.  I believe 
your quarters would be more suitable."

He nodded and decided it was best not to press for details just yet.  "Until tonight then," he said, 
and then he turned and left Astrometrics still holding his breath.  As she heard the door close, 
Seven leaned heavily on the console, locking her arms to support herself.  After a moment she 
straightened herself, and went back to running simulations on the array.

~*~*~*~

Harry was still arranging things in his quarters at 1850.  She would be there at any minute, and 
he wanted to set the right tone for the evening.  He was nervous, but this was hardly the first 
woman he had had visit his quarters.  Let Tom get all the attention for his skill with the ladies - 
Harry didn't crave that sort of notoriety.  That made it all the more ironic when you considered 
that Harry had entertained roughly the same number of women in his quarters and on the 
holodeck as Tom, the reputed ladies' man.  But Harry preferred to be in the background, away 
from the attention.

He really did want to talk to Seven tonight, to find out what was bothering her, and what had 
gone wrong.  For these reasons, he chose fairly bright lights and a simple dinner.  No soft music, 
and no candles, just the ordinary trappings of friends getting together to share a meal.  

He was putting the final touches on his program for dinner when the door chimed.  "Come on 
in," he said, and the door opened to reveal Seven of Nine.  She looked no different than normal, 
her dark blue biosuit and hair were just as they always were, but there was something about her 
posture, or was it her expression that caught his attention.  Her eyes didn't meet his; the 
penetrating Borg stare was missing.  And then it hit him - she was nervous.  

He walked up to her and offered his hand.  She hesitated, and then took it, as they walked over to 
the couch and sat.  "Welcome to my humble home.  I'd give you the tour, but when you've seen 
one set of quarters, you've seen them all," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"It is ironic that you should say that.  I have observed that each crewman arranges and decorates 
his or her quarters very differently.  They find pleasure in using their surroundings to express 
their individuality."

"Yes, I suppose that is true," he said.  Then thinking for a moment he added almost to himself, "I 
wonder what you would do if you had quarters of your own?  The cargo bay is not exactly 
homey."

Seven jumped slightly, and eyed him suspiciously.  "Why did you ask about that?"

"It's nothing.  I was just curious," he said, noting how she had become agitated by this topic.  
"Seven, have you been thinking about getting quarters of your own?  Does that somehow relate 
to what happened the last couple of weeks?"

She stood and began to pace.  It was another behavior Harry had never seen before.  He 
wondered what could have gotten under her skin.  Standing up, he reached out and took her 
hands as she came close.  "Seven, just relax for a moment.  Tell me what happened.  You know 
you can trust me."

She stopped and brought her eyes up to meet his, "I do not think I can explain it.  I believe I will 
have to show you instead."  He nodded in silent agreement.

~*~*~

Seven had quickly reserved the holodeck for them, and they were now walking along deck six.  
They didn't make small talk as they went.  In fact, the casual observer would have thought they 
were walking to a duty assignment.  When they reached the doors, Seven walked in and accessed 
the internal holodeck controls.  "Computer, run holodeck simulation Seven of Nine beta 12, but 
do not alter my appearance."  

As she said it, the messhall shimmered into existence.  Along with it appeared most of the bridge 
crew and a few others at what appeared to be a party.  The crewmembers were gathered around 
Tom and B'Elanna as she opened gifts.  Harry quickly recognized it as a simulation of the baby 
shower, complete with himself as a guest.  He laughed along with the others when B'Elanna 
opened the Starfleet issue diapers.

After that, he and Seven walked over to a table and sat while the shower continued.  "Seven, this 
isn't so strange.  You seem to have been practicing for events with the crew.  The only thing I 
don't understand is why, after all this, you didn't go to the shower."

"This is only one of my simulations.  There are others.  I was running one of them during the real 
baby shower," she said, again not meeting his eyes.

"Seven, whatever it is, it can't be that bad," he said, suspecting that he knew the nature of her 
other programs.  "I'm sure whatever 'simulation' you were running pales in comparison to 
Captain Proton, when it comes to opportunities for embarrassment.  I promise not to laugh, or 
judge you, Seven."

She looked at him for a moment, searching his eyes.  "I will show you, but afterwards you may 
wish I had not."

Harry reached over and took her hand again, "Seven, I promise, no matter what it is, it won't 
change my feelings about you."

She smiled weakly, "Computer, run holodeck simulation Seven of Nine gamma 7.  Remove all 
characters and do not alter my appearance."  The messhall dissolved and in its place were simple 
quarters.  There was a little furniture, only the essentials. He noticed the decor and the dinner for 
two, still arranged on the table.  

"Is this for us?" he asked looking at the dinner for two laid out on the table.

"No... it is from the simulation," she replied.

Harry walked around the room, stopping by the bed and looking at the dream catcher.  "And this, 
where did this come from?"

She shifted her weight nervously, considering how much to tell him.  "It was a housewarming 
gift from Chakotay," she said quietly.

~*~*~

Harry paused, uncertain of what to say next.  It seemed Seven had become comfortable 
addressing more of the crew than just him by their first names.  "The Commander visited your 
simulation, Seven?" Harry asked quietly.

"No," she replied abruptly.  "I would never bring anyone here.  I did not want anyone in the crew 
to see this.  It is..." she searched for the right words.  "It is too personal to share with the others."  

Seven began to pace back and forth as Harry looked around the quarters in confusion, "Seven, 
these look like ordinary crew quarters, what is so unusual about that.  The desire to have quarters 
like the rest of the crew is nothing to be embarrassed or concerned about," he tried to reassure 
her, but he didn't know why she was uncomfortable.  He reflected for a moment and a couple of 
the pieces fell together.  "Seven, there is more to this than just the baby shower and these 
quarters, isn't there?"  She nodded, still unable to meet his eyes.

He wracked his brain, searching for the missing pieces.  Finally he said, "You prevented the 
computer from playing the whole simulation.  What was it you eliminated again?" he tried to 
remember.  "You removed additional characters, and prevented it from altering your appearance.  
In fact, both times you stopped it from changing you."  He considered that for a moment.  He 
didn't want to pressure her, but she looked and acted like she wanted him to know, and he was 
pleased that of all the crew, she wanted him to see this secret.  "Seven, show me, please."

Seven paced for a moment and then stopped.  Looking at Harry, she reached up with both hands, 
to the back of her head, and pulled her hair out from its tight knot.  Running her fingers through 
it, she let it cascade around her face.  Then she commanded, "Computer, initiate program Seven 
of Nine, delta three."  

Harry was stunned as Seven of Nine shimmered out of focus and then coalesced into a fully 
human woman in a blue sciences uniform.  Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, 
revealing the smooth skin at her neck and along her eyebrow.  As Harry's eyes traveled down her 
body, he noticed the complete lack of Borg hardware, usually so obvious on her skin and beneath 
her biosuit.  

He reached out tentatively to touch her face - pausing for a moment to gauge her reaction.  She 
flinched slightly, but did not pull back.  The skin under his fingers felt smooth, and soft.  Next he 
gently placed his hand on her waist and was surprised not to feel the hard metal of her remaining 
exoskeleton under the uniform's fabric.  He knew it was an illusion, but it felt warm, soft, and 
real.  As he was contemplating these sensations, she reached up with her left hand and softly 
touched his cheek.  As her hand brushed over his face, his eyes closed, and the entire galaxy 
condensed down to the feeling of her fingertips on his skin, and the feel of her under his hands as 
he brought his other hand around her waist.

They stood there, frozen for several long moments before he spoke again.  "Seven," he breathed, 
"You have nothing to worry about - you're beautiful like this.  I think everyone would approve of 
the changes, and I could stand here with like this you forever."  He heard a strange sound, that 
sounded suspiciously like a giggle.  Looking into her eyes he saw the tension was gone, and 
Seven of Nine was smiling.  "What's so funny?" he asked.

"It would be very inefficient to stand here 'forever,' and I could not show you the rest of the 
simulation," she replied.

"Lead on then.  I can't wait."

She stepped back from him and made him turn around - allegedly to view the new scene at the 
best angle.  "Computer, run holodeck simulation Seven of Nine gamma 8.  Remove all characters 
and alter my appearance and that of Harry Kim."  

The scene that appeared before him was a slightly darkened, wood paneled room.  In the center 
was a grand piano with lit candles and a metronome sitting on top of it.  As his eyes swept the 
room, he took in the details.  "It's lovely Seven.  You've done a wonderful job programming it."  
As he looked down, he noticed that his uniform had been replaced with softer, more casual 
clothes.  He now wore a slate blue-grey suit that was skillfully tailored to accentuate his 
physique.  He ran his hands over the jacket front, as he continued to turn around.  He was 
impressed again by the thought that went into it.  It was a snug fit, yet comfortable.  "Seven, 
you're going to be able to give Tom a run for his money with programs like this.  It's all 
wond...er...."  

The words died on his tongue as he turned around and saw Seven.  Her uniform was gone, and 
her hair now flowed over her shoulders in a golden cascade.  As his eyes traveled down, he 
stopped breathing as he surveyed the red silk dress she wore.  It was sleeveless with a low, 
square neckline on the fitted bodice, and then it flared out again from the waist.  He stared at her 
with his mouth open, unable to say a word.

"I'm glad you approve of my choice of dress," she said with a smile.  "I had hoped you would be 
pleased by it."

"Seven, I..." he choked out, "I think it's lovely."  He met her eyes.  "I've never seen anything as 
beautiful," he whispered.

Seven blushed under Harry's intense scrutiny.  Her research had led her to believe the dress and 
the setting would have a dramatic affect on her subject - no, Harry was more than that, he was 
her friend, and tonight he was her date.  One thing she had not taken into account was her own 
reaction to him.  Suddenly nervous again, she moved over to the piano.

"I have also been studying music, as part of my research," she said, sliding onto the piano bench.  
"Would you like me to play something for you?  I hoped to become proficient enough that I 
could accompany you with your clarinet, and we could enjoy playing music together."

Harry walked over to the piano in a fog, and stood behind her as she picked up the music.  As 
she began to play he rested his hands lightly on her bare shoulders.  He felt her shiver as he 
touched her skin, and heard her miss a note, but then she relaxed and continued playing.  The 
warmth from her smooth skin further clouded his mind, as he closed his eyes and drifted away 
with the music - absorbing the sensation of touch and sound.  It was beautiful and familiar.  After 
a few minutes he was surprised to recognize it as one of his favorites.  He chuckled when he 
recognized how deeply Seven's program, and Seven herself, had affected him, for him not to 
notice.

"How did you like it," she said as she finished the piece and looked up over her left shoulder at 
him to gauge his reaction.  When he looked down at her face, he couldn't avoid seeing the 
expanse of bare skin the dress revealed.  Taking in a breath, he realized how perilous their 
situation was, and he decided to sit down next to her instead.

"It is one of my favorite pieces of music, and you play it wonderfully."  He reached up and 
absentmindedly brushed a strand of hair back from her face as he spoke.  "and Seven... I would 
love to play duets with you.  Anytime you like, just let me know when and I'll be there."

She smiled at his choice of words and then sighed contentedly as he pulled her into his arms.  
Harry thought he heard another sigh escape her lips, as she leaned her head on his shoulder.  He 
held her for a minute and kissed the top of her head.  Then it was his turn to sigh.  "It's wonderful 
here Seven, and I could stay here all evening, but I think we need to head back and eat dinner 
now.  Before... well, before we become too weak from hunger that we can't get back to my 
quarters," he said with a smile.  It was a r Be joke, but he had to get out of this holodeck 
program before he completely lost control of the situation - if he ever had been in control.

Instead, Seven reset the program to her quarters, and she left her dress and his suit intact.  "We 
can eat dinner here just as easily as in your quarters," she replied.  Harry nodded and went to the 
replicator and transferred the program for dinner onto the holodeck.  Seven joined him and 
helped arrange the meal on the table.

The conversation over dinner was strained at first, but gradually they relaxed and they talked 
more about the simulations she had created.  She explained about her desire to reclaim the 
emotions and relationships she experienced in Unimatrix Zero.  Harry listened attentively, as he 
learned more about this woman who fascinated him so.

"So you included various members of the crew to allow you to practice in social situations?" he 
asked.

"Yes, I wanted to try out new forms of interaction here, before attempting them with the crew."

"Ah, so that explains the baby shower, but I am still curious about the housewarming gift, the 
dream catcher you have hanging over your bed.  You said it was a gift from Chakotay."  He 
looked at her intently, not quite sure why he had latched onto this one element, but he was 
certain it was important, that there was more Seven had not told him.  "Seven, I want to 
understand everything.  I don't want to have secrets between us - not now," he said as he reached 
over and took her hand.  "Was Commander Chakotay an important part in your simulation?"

She looked at him and took a deep breath before continuing.  "No, Harry, he was the simulation."  
Her expression was pained as she observed Harry's reaction.  This was what she feared most, that 
he would not understand or forgive her.

Harry stood up and walked over to the couch.  He sat, sinking down into it and putting his head 
in his hands - trying to make sense of what he had just learned - trying very hard to understand 
the choice she had made.  In all this time, he had been concerned that the Doctor would become 
the object of Seven's affection.  Never in a million years had he considered the First Officer.  
How could he hope to compete against Chakotay?

While he considered this, Seven stood and began pacing again, with her arms crossed in front of 
her, and concern etched on her face.

"Seven, why?... Why this and why... him, and not someone else?"  He shook his head and sighed.  
Raising his face, he took a deep breath and stood, moving forward he reached out to take hold of 
her arms.  He took another deep breath and looked her in the eye, "Seven... why not me?"  His 
hand floated up now and brushed along her cheek, "If not me, then why not a hologram of me, 
instead of someone else?  Are you in love with the Commander?  Is that it?" he breathed the last 
question, barely above a whisper, dreading her answer, but he had to know.

"Are you certain you wish to know why I chose the Commander?"

"No... but I need to know."

She hesitated, and looked at him.  He nodded and she said, "I allowed the computer to make the 
selection.  I gave it the parameters I required.  Someone with whom I would not form an 
attachment.  Someone already involved in a relationship.  Someone who was not you, Harry."  
At this he grimaced, but she continued.  "Harry, not you because I did not want to practice on 
you.  If we are to begin a romantic affiliation in the future, I do not want to compare you to a 
hologram of yourself.  I want what we share with each other to be real, not an illusion."

Seven paused, and searched Harry's face.

Her own face was strangely disturbed.  He had never seen her like this before - fear and 
embarrassment had always been 'irrelevant.'  He was almost overcome with self-doubt and anger 
himself, when he saw a tear form in her human eye.  As he watched its slow journey down her 
cheek he finally understood.  Harry raised his hand to wipe the tear from her cheek.  When he 
brushed the liquid aside, gently brushing her cheek, she closed her eyes and leaned into his 
touch.  With a relieved sigh, he began breathing again.

He wrapped her in his arms, and crushed her to him.  "I'm sorry Seven, I was just shocked for a 
minute - and," he hesitated, but then he thought about how much Seven had risked in revealing 
so much of herself to him.  How could he hide from her now?  "I wasn't angry with you, I was 
afraid that you were interested in Chakotay and not me."  At that, she looked up at him.

"Harry, I was never romantically interested in Commander Chakotay.  Given his relationship 
with the Captain, it would be futile.  After Captain Janeway, you were the first person on this 
ship to show me kindness, and to treat me as an individual and not a drone.  I have always been 
interested in you, to one degree or another, but whenever I considered approaching you to form a 
romantic affiliation, you have always been involved with another woman.  Even if you had not 
been, I lacked the knowledge and experience to pursue a relationship.  It seemed hopeless."

Harry chuckled, "Well, now we both know the truth.  So, where would you like to go from 
here?"  He gently stroked her face as they talked.  It seemed to sooth her and he reveled in the 
fact that he could reach out and touch her without fear of rejection.

"According to my research, and the Doctor's lessons, at this point there is usually a verbal 
declaration followed by an increasing amount of physical and emotional intimacy.  Is that your 
understanding as well?" she queried, again falling back into her more customary manner.

Harry grinned.  'Trust Seven to dissect the process into efficient steps,' he thought.  "Yes, Seven, 
that has been my experience," he said, as he continued to caress her face and placed a light kiss 
on her cheek.  "Shall I go first, or would you like to?" he said, pulling back slightly, and smiling 
at her.

"You may proceed.  In spite of my research, I find I am unprepared, and," she thought for a 
moment, "I believe the sensation I am experiencing is nervousness."

Harry's smile broadened, "We can fix that."  He took her face in both hands and looked at her 
intently, "I believe you said a declaration was the next step?"  She nodded.  "Seven, I love you, 
and I hope you have the same feelings for me," he said, just before he kissed her gently.

After a short time, he moved his head back to look at her.  Seven smiled at him, "I believe you 
have combined two steps, are you certain that is allowed?"  

Harry hesitated for a moment, and then chuckled.  Seven's humor still could catch him off guard.  
"Yes, I'm quite certain it is an acceptable variation."

"In that case, allow me to respond."  Instead of speaking, she pulled Harry into a kiss.  When she 
released him, she said, "I love you as well.  Shall we proceed?"  Harry grinned, and nodded.  
Then he began to kiss her more thoroughly, and began slowly exploring her form with his hands, 
as he had only been able to do with his eyes before.

Seven swayed gently in his arms as he kissed and caressed her.  He felt her grow relaxed and 
then heavy in his arms.  He didn't realize what was happening until she began to slump, her form 
loose in his arms, suddenly he was supporting her full weight.  She slid to the floor as he did his 
best to slow her fall, and cradled her head to avoid any injury.  He was paralyzed for a moment, 
but when he realized she was unconscious, he slapped his commbadge.  "Kim to sickbay, 
medical emergency.  Seven just collapsed in holodeck 2."

~*~*~

The only response to his hail, was the Doctor shimmering into existence a few feet away.  He 
looked at Harry and rolled his eyes.  "It's beginning to look like a parade," he said disdainfully, 
as he began running the medical tricorder over Seven.

"Doctor, is she all right?  What's going on?" Harry asked in a near panic, but the Doctor only 
ignored him as he pressed a hypospray to Seven's neck.  "Doctor! What's going on?" Harry 
demanded, grabbing the Doctor's arm.  

The Doctor glanced at Harry with contempt and annoyance.  "Computer, end program."  The 
room vanished but the Doctor found himself still encumbered, with Harry's hand still locked onto 
his arm.  "Computer, end program and delete characters," he repeated angrily.

"There are no holodeck programs running," was the reply from the computer.  The Doctor 
gasped.

"Ensign Kim?"

"Yes Doc, who did you think it was?  Now tell me what's going on with Seven."

"That will have to wait.  For now, you can assist me by lifting her.  Computer, initiate site-to-site 
transport.  Beam Seven of Nine and Ensign Kim to sickbay, and transfer my program to sickbay 
as well."  

They all disappeared and then rematerialized in sickbay.  Harry placed Seven on a biobed and 
took her hand, rubbing it gently.  Their previous clothes had returned along with Seven's 
implants.  "What's wrong with her, Doc?  Can you help her?"

The Doctor was bustling around sickbay, collecting instruments.  Walking up to the biobed, he 
began working on Seven.  "Unfortunately, I have some previous experience with this condition.  
The good new is, I believe I can repair the damage."  Harry watched him as he worked to restore 
Seven's cortical node.

~*~*~

After half an hour, the Doctor began putting his instruments away and tidying up sickbay.  He 
again wore his usual smug expression.  

"Seven slowly opened her eyes.  Recognizing her surroundings, she turned her head towards the 
very worried man next to her.  "Harry?"

"Yes, I'm here.  How do you feel?"

"I am experiencing pain in my head and I feel tired, but the anxiety is subsiding as I speak with 
you," she said with a weak smile.

the Doctor interrupted and further conversation as he walked up to the biobed.  "Ah, I see you 
are awake.  Next time, you may not be so fortunate," the Doctor said with annoyance that 
puzzled Harry.  Seven remained silent, and turned her head away from Harry.

"Is someone going to explain to me what's going on?" Harry demanded.

"Seven, I think you should tell me what happened," the Doctor interrupted, "and Mr. Kim, you 
should leave while I talk to Seven."

"No," Seven said, turning back toward them, "I need Harry."  She squeezed his hand, and looked 
at him with a sadness that startled him.  

"All right then, please describe what you and Mr. Kim were doing that precipitated this episode," 
the Doctor asked, through his clenched jaw.

"Harry and I were...kissing...when my cortical node began to shut down.  I do not understand 
why the failsafe activated then.  Before, it did not trigger until I argued with the simulation of 
Commander Chakotay."

The EMH sighed, and shook his head.  "Clearly Seven, you feel differently about Mr. Kim than 
you do about Commander Chakotay."  His face softened a little as he went on, "I'm sorry Seven, 
but it would not be safe for you to pursue a romantic relationship.  The next time, I may not be 
able to revive you."

Harry looked stricken.  "Doctor, there must be something you can do to help her," Harry 
whispered.

"Almost certainly, I could repair her cortical implant, but Seven has refused the operation.  She 
feels the failsafe makes her more efficient and guards against distractions.  Isn't that right, 
Seven?" the EMH asked pointedly.

Before Seven could utter a retort, Harry leaned down and gently touched her face.  "Is that true, 
Seven?"  Harry asked, with only love and concern in his expression.  She looked up at him and, 
for a moment, he thought he could see his happiness slipping away again.

She reached up and touched his face in the same way he had been caressing her.  "I do want to be 
with you Harry - to be able to love you."  She looked over at the EMH.  "Doctor, I will undergo 
the procedure.  I wish to become fully human - able to experience emotions."  She looked back at 
Harry, and added quietly, "I want to experience them with you."

"Fine," the EMH said brusquely.  "That's settled now, and I have a patient to operate on."

"I'll see you in a few hours," Harry said, lifting her hand to his lips.

"Mr. Kim, unless you intend to assist me, please remove yourself from sickbay."  The Doctor's 
expression relaxed as Harry reached the open doors.  "I'll call you when I'm finished."  With that, 
the Doctor rushed him out of the room and began to prepare for surgery.

~*~*~

Harry was having breakfast with Tom and B'Elanna the next morning.  They had already been 
talking for hours, ever since he had practically stumbled into their quarters.  At first Tom hadn't 
known what to think.  He knew Harry had a crush on Seven, but never in his wildest dreams had 
he imagined that she would return his affection.  He had started to laugh only to be silenced by 
Harry's agonized expression and B'Elanna's stern glare.

They had sat up most of the night, listening to Harry and keeping him company while he waited 
for the Doctor's call.  Eventually, it was breakfast time, and they moved to the messhall.  By 
then, Harry had gained back some of his control, and he was not in danger of making a scene in 
public.

Or so he thought, and then the hail came.  Harry was out of his seat and across the messhall 
before he realized he had caught the edge of his tray when he jumped up.  The tray, and its 
contents, landed on Tom.  He turned slightly to apologize to Tom, and ran into the Captain, 
knocking her back into Commander Chakotay, who was close behind her.  "Sorry, Ma'am," 
Harry blurted out, as he ran past them, though the doors, and down the hall.

As Janeway and Chakotay were collecting themselves, B'Elanna waved at them to join her and 
Tom.  Chakotay chuckled as he watched Tom wipe the food off his uniform.  "Care to let us in 
on what's going on, B'Elanna?"

"I can tell you part of it, but you'll have to speak directly to Harry and Seven for the rest of it," 
she said.

Janeway and Chakotay exchanged a meaningful glance.  "Harry and Seven?  That does sound 
interesting.  I'm all ears," Janeway said.  B'Elanna nodded and began to fill them in.

~*~*~

Harry burst into sickbay, and glanced around furtively.  He located Seven and rushed over to the 
biobed where she lay.  The Doctor observed them as Harry took the hand she raised up to him, 
and pressed it to his lips, but he continued with his work and allowed them their privacy.  

Harry gently slid his arm around, under her neck, and cradled her in his arms.  "Doctor," he 
called out, "how did everything go?  Is Seven all right?"  He was apprehensive, afraid of another 
setback.

"The first surgery was a complete success.  I rose to the occasion yet again," he said, very 
pleased with himself.  "Fortunately, my expertise and innovation were sufficient to create the 
new procedures required to alter the Borg implants and remove the limitations on Seven's 
emotional experiences."  He looked expectantly at Harry and Seven.

"Thanks Doc, we'll always be grateful," Harry said, with genuine enthusiasm.

The Doctor's expression eased into a smile.  "It's very kind of you to say so, Mr. Kim, but I was 
only doing my job.  Seven will require additional procedures, and time to recover, probably a 
few weeks, but after that, she will be able to do whatever she wants.... In short, Mr. Kim, she's all 
yours."

Seven reached up with her free hand and touched Harry's face.  "So, now that you have me, 
Harry, what are your plans?"  He stared at her for a moment, and then she pulled him down 
towards her.  They shared a gentle but passionate kiss, before they broke apart, smiling.

"First, I think I'm going to make sure you get well.  Then, I think we should do some serious 
planning for the future.

~*~*~

Several weeks later, Harry appeared at the doors to Sandrine's with a tall blond woman in a red 
dress on his arm.  Tom noticed them out of the corner of his eye, and did not recognize the 
woman at first.  Her golden hair was down, flowing around her shoulders, and framing her 
smooth, creamy face.  

Tom's mouth fell open when he realized it was Seven, as did B'Elanna's, which was the only 
thing that saved him from a vicious elbow to the ribs.  Harry smiled at their reactions, and 
steered Seven over to the table where they were sitting with Janeway and Chakotay.  "Captain, 
Commander, Tom, B'Elanna - I don't believe you've met Annika Hansen."

"I am pleased to meet you," Annika replied with a smirk, as she formally extended her hand to 
Tom to shake, and then the others.

"How is this possible?  I thought the Doc couldn't remove all of your implants," Tom asked in 
amazement.

"He did not.  We are taking advantage of the holodeck's capabilities.  When I leave the room, I 
will resume my former appearance," she explained.

"Would you care to sit?" Tom asked.

Annika looked at Harry, and they exchanged a silent communication.  "Save our seats Tom," 
Harry said, as he continued gazing at her.  "We're going to dance."  Annika smiled, almost shyly, 
and he led her out onto the dance floor.

He held out his arm and she placed her hand in his, as his other arm wrapped around her waist.  
The song was an old waltz, and they floated over the floor together.  Annika's dress looked 
stunning on her, hugging her gently and then flaring out softly.  Crewman, who had previously 
thought nothing could top her skin-tight biosuits, reassessed that opinion, as they watched the 
couple circle the floor.  

But as they danced they only saw each other.  Unaware of how quiet the conversations had 
become in the room, and that gradually, they had the floor all to themselves.  They were looking 
into each other's eyes with a warmth and openness that left no question as to their feelings.  As 
they continued to dance, Harry brought their hands in to his chest, and Annika leaned in to rest 
her head against his shoulder.  He whispered something in her ear, and her smile broadened.

From their table, Kathryn watched them dancing with a happy, wistful look on her face.  Leaning 
over to Chakotay she asked, "Do we still look like that when we dance?"

He smiled back, wrapping his arm around her waist, and pulling her closer.  "After this dance, I 
think we should try it and see."

Tom chuckled at them, "Well, Captain, it seems you two have finally been displaced as the main 
topic of gossip."  Janeway smiled at that, and contentedly leaned further into Chakotay.

And Harry and Annika continued their dance.


~*~*~ The End ~*~*~



Harry Lee felt that there needed to be more explanation of what happened between the last scene 
in sickbay and Sandrine's at the end.  So he is writing the missing scenes.  It is posted to RiF and 
linked to this story on my site.  - Anne Rose