Title : Rebound, Pt. I Pairing : K / 7 Rating : PG Archive : Summer's site. Others, please ask. Summary : Harry and Seven have an argument, and Harry recalls the events of the past week and a half. Disclaimer : Paramount and Viacom own all of the characters and all things Trek. I'm just using everything. Disclaimer II : I don't know too much about stardates. The ones I use in the story are mere speculations. If I've made mistakes, please keep in mind these are guesses, and that when it comes to anything remotely mathmatical, I am an idiot. :) References : " Imperfection " & " Drive " Feedback : Yes please :) . Ajax277@aol.com " Rebound, Pt. I " Chief Of Operations Log : Stardate 54130.5 : Where do I begin ? Tom and B'Elanna got married today. I could start there, but that would be taking the easy way out. Starting from the ending, so I don't have to go through the story again. Now, the trick is just finding where to start. My mother used to tell me to just start speaking and not to worry about trying to piece it all together until it's all laid out in front of me. There's so much to go over, I may just take her advice. Seven Of Nine and I had an argument. Not just a little tiff that usually rolls of the back, but an argument that rivals some of tom and B'Elanna's past blowouts. Actually, that's not quite true. There was no screaming really; just a lot of yelling ; and no one threw anything. No one ended up in sickbay. It's just that ; << Harry pauses, then takes a deep breath >> We've never really had an argument before. It all started out simply enough , until I decided to show concern for her. God forbid....... Seven Of Nine was dying ? The news hit him hard. It wasn't as if any of them had ever been close to death before, Seven included. And in his case, he'd been there and back ; literally. Several times. Yet, there were no major crisis' lately. Things had quieted down considerably since the happenings of Unimatrix Zero. Other than losing the last batch of children, things had been slow. He knew there was a problem that day when the Captain blew onto the bridge asking him to scan for Borg debris fields. He wanted to ask why, but thought better of it. Did he want to scrub bulkheads for the rest of his life, or continue being the operations officer ? So he'd kept his mouth shut and complied. Chakotay had asked the question everyone had been wanting to. Then the Captain told them why. They needed to find a new cortical node for Seven because hers was malfunctioning. For Seven, that only meant one thing if they didn't find her one ; Death. Log : I did what I was told and kept my feelings to myself. God only knows I didn't want to hear it from Tom about my unrequited feelings for her. I really hate it when he lists my failed romantic attempts. Sure, I smile when he does it, but it makes me feel idiotic. It's just easier to laugh it off. Anyway, the Captain and the away team had been successful in getting a cortical node. Then it didn't work, and Seven was in the danger zone again. B'Elanna and I decided to try to make it work using components from Seven's alcove...... " Try it again, " Harry snapped. " We've tried it 15 times, Starfleet. It's not going to work. " " Humor me. " " Harry, " B'Elanna said grabbing his arm as he brushed past her, " They need a cortical node from a living drone, not a dead one. This thing is useless. Let it go. " Harry clenched his jaw, " I can't. " She sighed, " Don't tell me you still - " " She's my friend, " he cut her off sharply before they could get into a long discussion about his feelings, " and I don't want to lose her. I'd be just as upset if it were you or Tom. " B'Elanna's tone changed, " I wish we could get this thing to work Harry, but it's just no good. We may have to accept defeat. " " I can't believe you just said that. A death in battle I can understand, " he paced back and forth, " an accident, any chance to go out giving it your best, " he stopped pacing, " But this is so senseless. " " It makes perfect sense. That's why it's beating us. But we fought the good fight, Starfleet. We have to put our faith in the Captain and the Doctor that they'll figure something out. " " I hope they do, because we're running out of time. We've stood over enough coffins, Maquis. I don't feel like standing over one more. " Log : I think what I said got to B'Elanna , because her whole attitude seemed to change. She got downright pensive. Though she and Seven have had their differences, deep down, I think they care about each other. They just don't like to admit it. Seven came to me later in the messhall and asked me about Icheb. that's when the whole thing snowballed....... " Ensign, " Seven said, standing over Harry as he studied a data padd in the messhall. Harry stood, " Hi Seven. " " May I ask you a question ? " " Sure, have a seat, " he indicated the empty chair in front of him. Only when she sat , did he sink back down into his chair, " What can I do for you ? " " In the Academy, how well were you with Quantum Theory ? " " I aced the semester. Why ? " " Would you be willing to instruct Icheb for that portion of the Starfleet entrance exam ? " " Of course, I'd be happy to. " " Thank you, " she began to get up. " Seven, " he said, " wait. " She sat down again, " Ensign ? " " How are you feeling ? Are you ok ? " " I'm fine. How I feel is irrelevant. I was merely asking you about Icheb. I have many people to approach, Ensign, " she answered curtly. " That's not what I meant , Seven. " " I am fine, " she answered with finality. " If you would excuse me. " " Would you like some company ? I can come with you . " " I am able to query others Ensign. I've not lost my ability to speak. " " Why are you acting like this ? I didn't mean to imply that. I just thought I could help, " he was getting annoyed by her attitude. " I'm sure you have other duties to attend to. " " Actually, my duty shift ended 30 minutes ago. But I get the hint ; you want to go alone. That's all you had to say, Seven. " She ignored the gentle scold, " I will tell Icheb you are willing to help. Thank you. " " Yea, " he answered curtly, " whatever. " " You are angry. I did not realize accompanying me was so important. I am merely asking others to - " " That's not why Seven. I just thought, " he stopped, momentarily losing his train of thought, " Is it that bad ? Does it bother you that much that people worry about you ? " " There is no reason to worry Ensign. I am fine. Your concern is noted. " " How big of you, " he shot. " I am dying , Ensign. Accept it, " she said, fire in her eyes. " Don't give into this Sev, the Doctor will - " he yelled back to her, but was cut off. " I do not wish to continue this conversation. There is nothing the Doctor can do. You must accept my death. You have accepted others ; why can you not accept mine ? " " Because there is something we can do about it ! Let us help you. " " Every attempt to salvage the node has failed. How do you expect to help me ? Unless you have come across a new cortical node I was not made aware of . Your attempts to salvage the node were futile, and you failed. " They were getting looks from all around the messhall, and Harry was sure that everyone from engineering to the bridge could hear them. Neelix was no where to be found. If he were, he would've stepped in. " I don't know ! But pushing everyone away doesn't help. You all want us to shut off our emotions just like you and Tuvok do. Excuse me if I'm not a pro at that, Sev. People don't always work like that. And if nearly four years on this ship hasn't taught you that yet, then you'll never get it. So fine, have it your way. You want to be alone, here you go, " he snapped, leaving her at the table and pounding out of the messhall. Log : So I acted like a child. I know it. And I feel bad about it too, but I just got angry at her stubborness. That, and I was exhausted. We were all under so much pressure. Seven of course, was going through way more than we were. I just hate feeling helpless. Maybe I lashed out at her because I couldn't salvage the node. I couldn't save her. Maybe she was angry with me for not being able to save her. I don't know. I'm not a counselor. Of course, Seven was upset. So instead of being more understanding, I lost control of my emotions. I couldn't help but be angry ; I mean, I was only trying to help, and she made me feel like and idiot. << Harry pauses again, rubbing his temples. He looks at a holo picture of him and Seven at Tom's fourth of July picnic in the holodeck. Seven managed to even hold a ghost of a smile. Unbeknownst to anyone, he'd had it framed. It sat on his end table with all of his pictures of his family and friends. >> Anyway, it made me reevaluate my feelings for her. They're definitely still there. But I haven't shut out the prospect of finding someone else. Which is why I was so enthusiastic about meeting ILena. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Actually, I need to sign off now. I'm so tired I'm literally falling asleep at the padd. End Log. << Harry looks at the picture one more time and rubs the back of his neck before shutting out the light and going to bed. >> End Part I. To Be Continued.............