Promises, Promises by Darrel W. Beach Mar. 1999 Chapter 1 The regeneration interface completed its cycle with the usual hum-and-click response. As if some switch had been turned, Seven's eyes snapped open. She immediately detached herself from her receptacle and exited the Borg alcove, heading straight for a computer console. "Computer, personal log, stardate 51358.2. Today I will be continuing modifications to the new astrometric sensors. Based on my observations of their performance, I have calculated that we can extend their range by 2.76 percent by reconfiguring the EMP modulators. Ensign Kim has been assigned to assist me with the modifications. End log." At the console, Seven began downloading her calculations into an access PADD. Harry arrived in the cargo bay a few moments later, as if the mere mention of his name had been a summons. "Good morning, Seven. Sleep well last night?" The former Borg drone did not look up from the console's display. "If you are referring to my regeneration cycle, I did not experience any difficulties. I trust that you have familiarised yourself with my new calculations." The ensign's lips drew a thin smile. As much as he found himself attracted to her, engaging Seven in polite conversation was akin to pulling teeth. "Yeah, of course." "Good. I suggest we proceed directly to Deck 6 and begin modifications," she finally looked up at him. "By all means, let's," he replied. He turned on his heel and led the way out. Seven noticed the inflection in Harry's response and quickly deduced that he was frustrated, a condition she often observed in his company. He once explained that this frustration resulted from her unwillingness to engage him in trivial conversation -- 'small talk' as he called it. Although such exchanges were irrelevant she had tried to accommodate him. She reflected upon their banter for a reason why Harry's agitation was not alleviated. It took her a few moments to realise that she was staring at his posterior as she did so. She diverted her gaze just as they stopped in front of the turbolift doors, before Harry could see what she was doing. Her actions confounded her completely. She had no explanation for what she had done, other than that she felt uncontrollably compelled to do it. Seven glanced at Harry, wondering what could have triggered her aberrant behaviour. Noticing her scrutiny, Harry gave her a friendly smile. Seven felt her body temperature increase and she immediately looked away. Her implants were recording a variety of unusual changes: vascular constriction, increased cardiopulmonary activity, pheromone secretion, inhibited production of saliva, erratic neuronal and neurochemical discharges. The total mystery of these consequences vexed her. * * * Seven walked into Sickbay, more unsettled than before. Finding the room devoid of activity, she activated the Emergency Medical Holographic program. The air in front of her shimmered and coalesced into the form of the Doctor. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency." The Doctor's brow creased with concern. "Seven, what are you doing here? Your check-up isn't scheduled until tomorrow." "I think there is something wrong with me, Doctor. I have not been behaving normally this morning." At the mention of the word 'wrong' the Doctor instantly reached for a medical tricorder and began passing the wand in front of her. "I see. How exactly have you been behaving?" Seven hesitated. "I am not sure. Obsessive might be the most accurate description. In the last 137 minutes I have counted eleven different instances in which I have experienced unusual physiological reactions while interacting with Ensign Kim, including increased heart rate and body temperature and perspiration of the palms. In that same time I experienced another 32 instances in which I compulsively fixated upon the male crew. I am at a loss to explain these behaviours." The Doctor raised an eyebrow at the last comment, then looked back at the readouts on the tricorder. "Well, according to your readings, your condition isn't serious." "What is it, Doctor?" "Along with your elevated temperature, your body is producing an increased level of hormones. To put it simply, you're in a state of arousal. It's perfectly normal." "It does not feel 'normal', Doctor." "Considering you grew up as a Borg, perhaps it doesn't. However, since you're no longer completely a Borg, your body is reasserting its human characteristics. You have absolutely nothing to worry about -- except maybe Mr. Paris." "Can you not give me something to correct this condition?" "This isn't a case of measles we're talking about, Seven. The best thing you can do is ride it out. Given a little time your hormone levels will return to normal on their own." The Doctor returned the instruments. "If you're interested, I could recommend a good text on the science of sexual arousal. I've read it myself; it's a fascinating study." "I'm sure it is," the former Borg answered flatly. "Thank you, Doctor." The Doctor replied with a grin. "Always glad to be of assistance." Seven spent the afternoon back within the comfortable confines of Cargo Bay 2, accessing as many references on the human body and its hormonal drives as she could find. She originally planned to overlook the doctor's well-meaning suggestion. However, when she yet again stared after the male officers she passed in the hallways, she re-evaluated her position. Several hours of reading later, Seven had nothing to show for her effort except an ill feeling in the pit of her stomach. Those many studies on intimate relationships seemed so barbaric, yet...strangely fascinating.... A reviling shiver ran down her spine. These hormones were a complete inconvenience, and there appeared to be no way to rid herself of their effects. "Ensign Kim to Seven," her badge bleated. "I hope I'm not interrupting something; I know you told me you had another matter to take care of." Just the sound of his voice made Seven's skin tingle. "No...of course not, Ensign. How may I assist you?" "I'm having a little trouble stabilising the polaron emitters. I was wondering if you could give me a hand with them." "Certainly. I will be there shortly," she said, although an irrational part of her wanted to stay as far away from him as possible. It would be a strange irony considering the events of a month ago, when Ensign Kim attempted to distance himself from her after his infatuation had been exposed. She dismissed the anxiety. She was far too strong to fall victim to such a human frailty. The millions of Borg drones, the hive mind of the Collective, had taught her the skill of discipline. Which, when coupled with a strip of latinum, amounted to a strip of latinum. Standing next to Harry Kim, all that support crumbled away under the pressure of her raging hormones. "Here, see what you can make of these readings," he remarked, handing her a tricorder. Seven unavoidably brushed her hand against his as she took the instrument. She could tell that he still harboured strong feelings towards her. She only hoped that he couldn't tell how similar her own feelings for him were just then. She kept her eyes locked on the tricorder's data display. "Here is the problem: you are attempting to adjust the load capacity's phase variance as it enters the emitter processor matrix. However, you are neglecting to ramp down the signal frequency first. This is having a cascade effect on the phase conversion, since the signal is being forced through the processor faster than it can handle. It is a simple correction." "Oh...yeah, of course," Harry replied, chagrined that she isolated in less than a minute the problem he had been working on for over an hour. They finished the adjustments in short order, and decided to make a quick test of the results in the astrometrics lab. "A bunch of us are going to Holodeck 2 later tonight to try out a new program that Tom designed," Harry casually remarked. "Would you like to join us, Seven?" "Spending time in the holodeck would be an inefficient use of time." "It's called 'having fun', Seven. Now that you're becoming a human again, you should try doing things you like to do. You know, things that make you feel good." Seven shifted uncomfortably. "I have been Borg for as long as I can remember, Ensign. The Collective's only concern was reaching perfection. Everything else was considered irrelevant. I do not know what activities might make me 'feel good'." "Oh." Harry felt a little guilty for making her feel awkward. "Well, I'm sure if you tried hard enough, you could think of something you'd like to do for fun." An image suddenly flashed through Seven's mind, catching her completely off guard. She spun around and grabbed Harry by the shoulders. On pure instinct she roughly pulled him into an embrace, crushing her lips against his. She leaned into him, forcing the ensign up against the wall of the turboelevator. The ensign initially struggled to free himself, but quickly stopped as his own desire took control. Harry's hands began to wander, gently massaging her back and waist. He returned her kiss with equal hunger, finally satisfied with the experience of tasting her full lips. Finally concerned he might suffocate he tried to pull away. Seven fought his retreat, unaware that she was smothering him, backing off only when her own lungs started to ache. They gasped for air and tore into each other again with reckless abandon. Seven pressed her body even closer to Harry's, enthralled with the myriad sensations as her bosom flattened against his chest. She could actually feel the heat of his body through the layers of fabric between them. Unable to control himself further, Harry grasped what he could of Seven's skin-tight outfit and pulled it apart. The tearing fabric hissed just like the sound of the turbolift doors opening.... "Seven, are you all right? You looked like you were a million light years away." Snapped out her unbidden fantasy, Seven exited the turbolift. Thankfully she still had enough control not to blush. "I am fine. I was merely preoccupied with another problem. I am unsure how to approach it." "Anything I can help you with?" Her agitation subsided, allowing her composure and rationale to slip neatly back into place. His offer had the appeal of convenience, but she didn't know if he would be willing to provide the type of assistance that she required. She remembered how uncomfortable Ensign Kim had become the last time the subject of copulation had been brought up. She had since come to the understanding that the topic of sexual encounters carried a social stigma among several humanoid cultures. "I do not think you have the capacity to render me assistance at this time, Ensign Kim, but I will consider your offer."