The Doctor sat there in his office thinking.  Concerned. Someone else within Seven's mind?  What did this mean?  Could this person do harm to Seven?  Would this person forever be a part of her now?  She couldn't be taking this well.  Her dreams.  What did they mean?  At first he thought they were just dreams, but now he wasn't so sure that they weren't some sort of influence.  They were horrible dreams about being chased and terror.  His hand tightened on the data padd he was reading.  He felt so helpless with this situation.  It hurt him when she came to sickbay every now and then, shaking with fear in her eyes.  She was weary of these nightmares and frightened that they would never cease.  The Doctor sighed and said, "Computer, locate Seven of Nine."

"Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay 2," the computer replied, seeming to sound more grave than before all this had happened.

The Doctor sighed, not knowing what to do, but wanting to be there for Seven.  But he didn't want to push her.  She might need to be alone right now to think these things through.  But he wanted to just hold her and chase all her monsters away.  So, reluctantly, he tapped his comm badge and said, "Doctor to Seven of Nine."

"Seven here," she responded crisply.  "Can I assist you, Doctor?"

"Well," he said, "I was actually wondering if maybe I could assist you.  How are you feeling, Sev?"

"I am functioning, Doctor."  He heard the catch in her voice, the one that said she may be functioning, but there was indeed something wrong.

"Seven, I guess I just basically wanted to let you know that no matter what you need, if you need to talk or if you just been an arm around you, I'm here for you.  If you're hurt, scared, lonely...I'm here for you.  You know that, right?"

"Thank you, Doctor," she said briskly.  "I am not in need of your assistance at this time."

He sighed.  "Ok," he said gently.

"However," she said, her tone lightened.  "I could use some distraction.  Perhaps you would care to meet me in Sandrines for dinner tonight?"

He smiled.  "I would be very pleased.  When shall I meet you?"

"I am free for dinner now, if you are available."

"Ok, meet you there in a few minutes, then.  Doctor out."  He stood up, took a breath and was off to meet her.

When he got there she looked a little more shaken than her voice had betrayed.  Her face was pale, her eyes having a tired look of someone who wants to rest, but knows that the battle isn't over.  He smiled reassuringly and sat down at the table she was waiting at.  "Seven," he said.  "How are you holding up?"

She sighed.  "Adequately for someone who has another person within her own mind."  She didn't look particularly frightened...just concerned.

He bit his lip and placed his hand softly on hers.  "Want to talk about it?"

She blinked and looked at the floor.  "What is there to say?" she said softly.  "I am not alone even in the supposed privacy of my own mind."

"Can you hear what this other person is thinking?" he asked.

"No," she answered, still staring off.  One thing was certain, she was different from the old Seven he'd known and come to love.  "I've never actually heard her thoughts, but I have experianced some of her memories.  At first I thought they were hallucinations, but I've come to realise that these things did happen to her.  And then there is this," she said, motioning to the cylindrical device holstered to her hip.

"What is that?" he asked, eyeing it.

"It's called a lightsabre.  While we were stranded at that temple I wandered off alone and found it.  When I saw it I picked it up and could not bring myself to set it back down, so I brought it.  Master Jinn thinks it was my guest's.  And I even know how to use it, without thinking.  Watch."  She stood and said, "Computer, activate combat program Kenobi 1."  Sandrines melted away leaving the Doctor only his chair and changed into a plain training room with mats and mirrors.  A holographic enemy brandishing a lightsabre stood ready to fight.  "Fight," Seven said and the combatant ignited his sabre and came at her.  As if she had been trained for years, she ignited her sabre and fended off the seemingly masterful attack.  She could move as fast as lightning, slashing and jumping and dodging the constant and equally fast attacks.  Finally she stopped and said, "Computer end Kenobi 1 and activate Sandrines."  The training room and enemy disappeared and Sandrines re-appeared.

"You appear very skilled with that weapn, Seven," he observed.

She sanked down, re-attaching the weapon to her belt.  "Appears so.  But I am not.  I have never recieved any training in this weapon."

"Perhaps the collective assimilated a Jedi?" he suggested.

She shook her head.  "No Jedi has ever been assimilated.  Their telepathic powers have prevented the Borg from even knowing of their existance.  This part of the galaxy hasn't even been visited by the Borg.  They have placed mental wards around their galaxy so that whenever the Borg come near they completely forget to continue and they turn back."

"Ingenious," he commented, looking into his cup of holographic wine.  "So this skill is that of the Jedi inside you?"

She nodded.  "That is correct."  She sighed and looked unhappily at the floor.

"So is this Jedi the one who has been causing the nightmares?" he asked, that helpless feeling coming back.

She considered.  "I don't believe so.  I don't believe she intends to harm me."

He scratched his cheek.  "Well, that's good," he conceeded.  "Are you okay though?  I know you must be concerned."

She looked into his eyes and his breath caught.  Her blue eyes could do that to him no matter what he saw in them, anger, fear, friendship.  "I will be okay," she said quietly.

He took her hand again.  "Well, I just want you to know that I am always here for you."  He gazed lingeringly into her eyes and waited for her to break the eye contact.  But she didn't.  She gazed back, weighing his words.

"Thank you," she said softly, rubbing at his hand ever so slightly, probably not even knowing that she was doing it, and in doing it driving him absolutely crazy.  "I may need to call upon you more as time goes by.  I don't think...I can handle this alone."  She whispered the last and he could tell she was close to tears.

Without even stopping to think he took her hand and kissed it.  "Always," he said softly.

She blinked and stared at the place he had kissed.  "Hey, what's up you two?" Tom said playfully as he entered and went straight to the pool table.  "Wanna shoot some pool, Doc, Sev?"

Seven immediately stood and said, "I have duties I must attend to."  With that she left the holodeck.

The Doctor sighed irritably and stood.  "I should get back to sickbay."  Then he too left.

Tom shrugged to himself.  "What did I do?" he said to himself.

Chapter 8 - The Temple of Jedi

Tom's eyebrows rose as he scanned the surface of Coruscant.  "Wow," he said.  "The whole planet is almost completely covered with buildings of all sorts of sizes, mostly towering for hundreds of floors."

Qui-Gon Jinn laughed.  "No one alive on Coruscant knows what the surface looks like.  Mostly criminals and such live in the lowest levels of the buildings and even they won't go to the surface for fear of what creatures might live down there."

Janeway gave him a questioning look.  "Don't the buildings crumble?"

Jinn shook his head.  "Before Coruscant was so built up, the walls of each building were reinforced.  And then there is the Jedi.  A long time ago we used the Force to sort of lay a foundation to keep the buildings from collapsing."

Janeway smiled.  "Hail the Jedi Temple for Master Jinn."

"Aye," Kim said.  "They are responding."

"I am Jedi Khelaarasi.  How may I assist you?" the female voice said.

"Khelaarasi, this is Master Jinn.  Padawan Kenobi and I are returning and we have a few guests.  Please inform the Council of my arrival."  Jinn crossed his arms and waited.

"Yes, Master Jinn and welcome back.  I will inform the Council immediately.  How many rooms shall I prepare for your guests?"

"None at this time.  I'll see to that when needed.  Also, inform the senate that Captain Janeway and the ship in orbit, Voyager, are guests of the Temple.  We will be there shortly.  Jinn out."  Jinn turned to Captain Janeway.  "If any of your crew would like to spend any time on the planet then the Jedi Temple is at your service and rooms can be prepared in the Temple if need be."

Janeway smiled.  "Thank you, Master Jinn.  I'm sure some of my crew will like to explore Corscant."

Jinn unfolded his arms and smiled.  "I will send guides to Voyager for your crew.  Now, if it would please you, I would like it if you and Seven of Nine accompanied me and Obi-Wan to the Temple, and I can sense Mr. Tuvok's immediate curiousity, so I extend that invitation to him as well."  Jinn looked at the Vulcan.

Tuvok nodded and said, "Thank you, Master Jinn.  With your permission, Captain?"

Janeway nodded.  "Of course, Tuvok.  Seven of Nine to the transporter room.  We're about to beam to the Jedi Temple."

"Acknowledged," the former Borg said.  "On my way."

Janeway looked to Jinn and Kenobi.  "If you will follow me," she said, stepping forward and leading them from the bridge.

Obi-Wan smiled to himself.  What amuses you, Padawan? Jinn said through their link.

Obi-Wan grinned.  I believe you like this Kathryn Janeway.

Jinn chuckled to himself.  She is a strong and wise woman, Padawan.  My interest is nothing past friendship.  You, on the other hand, I believe have taken to encouraging that young Borg to become a Jedi.  Might that have anything to do with your thoughts last night?

Obi-Wan reddened slightly, then as they stepped into the transporter he reddened slightly more.  Nothing past friendship, Master.  Jinn turned and looked at him and Obi-Wan only shrugged innocently.

She smiled, looking at the tall dark Jedi Master that walked beside her.  Sidious had already gotten control of this one.  "Who will you place me with?" she asked.

Windu looked at her softly.  She took control of his loyalty quickly by igniting his desires.  "I believe Master Licciardello would be an appropriate master for you.  He's a good friend of mine, loyal to me and very strong in the ways of the Force.  He and his former Padawan, Arianna are already on our side.  What do you think, Dark One?"

Dana blinked and pondered.  It was irritating, being here.  She hated Jedi, but the ones who were already loyal to her and the ones that would turn were worth the irritation if it meant that she and Sidious would succeed.  "I will know once I meet with this master.  She's here."

Windu blinked.  "She?"

Dana sighed in irritation.  "The one I told you about.  The woman who will be my apprentice.  She's here.  In the temple now.  She's one of that Master Jinn's guests."

Windu frowned.  "Will she recognise you?"

Dana glared at him.  "Dare you suggest I would be so sloppy, Windu?"

He shook his head.  "Of course not.  My apologies.  I must warn you.  Be careful around Jinn.  He's very insightful like Yoda.  Guard yourself well."

Dana nodded, twisting a lock of her black hair within her fingers as she touched the minds of Jinn's guests.  One of them was a telepath.  One had no power in the ways of the Force and the other, her future apprentice, was filled with power.  Dana frowned.  There was something different.  But before she could explore this she had to build her mental barriers as they entered the Council Chambers.  When they got inside the masters were already greeting Jinn and the guests from Voyager.  Janeway paid no attention to her.  The empath glanced, but made no special notice of her.  Seven, steadily stared, then remembering herself, looked back to Master Yoda who was talking with the man who must have been Jinn.  "Most pleased we are, to meet you, Captain," Yoda said.  "Welcome you to our temple, we do..  Ah, Master Windu.  Welcome our guests, you must."

Windu smiled and bowed.  "You must be Captain Janeway," he said.  "Welcome to the Jedi Temple.  I'm Master Mace Windu."

Janeway smiled back.  "I am Captain Kathryn Janeway and these two are members of our crew.  This is Tuvok," she pointed.  "And this is Seven of Nine."

Windu bowed again and took his seat beside Yoda.  "Welcome back, Qui-Gon," he said.

Qui-Gon smiled.  "Thank you, Mace.  I bring Captain Janeway here because I feel that the disturbances we've been feeling lately have been tied in with one of her crew, Seven of Nine.  I'm not sure how but," he said, about to report the inhabitation of Seven by the Jedi Nizana.  But something instinctual told him not to.  "I believe we should investigate.  Seven of Nine does have great potential in the Force."

Yoda reguarded the former Borg.  "Wish her to become a Jedi, you do?"

Jinn nodded.  "I believe that would be wise.  To keep her from accidentally falling to the ways of the Darkside."

Yoda looked to Mace.  "Discuss this, the Council will."  Yoda reached out to Seven, softly touching and probing her mind.  Master, Jinn called to Yoda.  There is something I failed to tell the Council, something I trust only to you.

Why feel you this way? Yoda asked.

Qui-Gon took a breath.  I'm not sure.  I just feel reluctant to tell anyone else in this room.  Seven has been inhabited by an old Jedi who was killed long ago.  A woman named Nizana.

Nizana, Yoda said, thinking back.  He could see her clearly in his mind, almost as if it were yesterday.  Her happy smile and red hair tied back as she walked through the field with Padawan Nethan.  She had been one of the ones killed when the Dark Ones had attacked.  Yes.  He could feel her there, inside Seven.  He would liked to have contacted her, but Jinn's hesitance stopped him.  Best to do later when no one was around.  "Sense much power in you, I do," he said, immediately shielding Seven's guest from the other minds in the room.  "Talk with you alone, I will.  Later when relaxed you have."

Seven nodded her head.  "I will comply."

Dana fought a smile as she watched the interactions.  Seven was unsure of all this.  Perfect for turning.  Jinn and the others began to file out of the room on their way to tour the Temple and on the way Seven risked another glance at her.  She smiled a friendly and polite smile.  Seven tried to do the same, but Dana could see she was bothered.  Dana frowned.  She couldn't suspect anything, could she?

Chatper 9 - Friendly Strangers

Seven shifted uncomfortably under Yoda's gaze as he, Master Jinn, Captain Janeway, Tuvok and herself sat alone in a small training room.  "Relax you must," Yoda said absently as he tried to reach Nizana.  Yoda's face betrayed nothing, not even a slight show of conversation of frustration.  He was the picture of calm.  She'd only seen that kind of calm one other place, the collective.  Sighing, she looked around the room, studying her crewmates, Master Jinn, the wall.  The whole process of waiting was making her more nervous each minute that passed.  Finally though, Yoda looked satisfied.  Stepping back he nodded to himself and said, "Rest, Nizana cannot.  Bound by the dark was her soul long ago and until the person who did this to her dies, rest she will not."

Jinn frowned and absently rubbed his beard.  "Does she know who did this terrible thing to her?"

Yoda nodded.  "Long, long ago, back in my days of youth this was done.  When first I became a master even.  Then Jedi of Dark and Light both did learn in the same temple."  Jinn looked surprised at this.  Yoda nodded gravely.  "Thought the Council did that the Dark could be controlled and taught to those who would persue it.  Gravely wrong they were too.  For unknown reasons they attacked one night.  Drugged the masters were and in the night they took the padawan's."  Yoda's eyes took on a sadness that Jinn had never seen before in the eyes of his master.  "Killed they were and tortured in vile ways.  Unfortunate, Nizana was.  One of the many killed she was.  My padawan she was also.  A Dark One that was present usedd the Force to bind her so.  Inhabited at the old temple you were, Seven of Nine."

Seven swallowed.  She could feel her guests respect and caring for this little green man.  "Does she mean harm to me?" she asked.

Yoda shook his head.  "No.  To the reason she has entered you she answered only that she would help protect you and in tern you would help her to rest."

Jinn knitted his brows.  "And this Dark One is still alive?  Not many races are as long lived as yours, Master," Jinn said, then seeing Janeway's confusion he added, "Master Yoda is nearly nine hundred, Captain."

Yoda frowned.  "Uncertain, I am.  Not of my race, this Dark One.  Described a humaniod person, Nizana did.  Her name was Adara, with hair of blood and skin pale."

Janeway and Tuvok exchanged looks.  "Master Yoda," Janeway said.  "Before we met Master Jinn and before Seven was lost in the old temple we encountered a woman that fit that description.  She intercepted us, hailed us and displayed an interest in trading a member of our crew for hers. When I refused she attacked and by our scans we know that most of the attacks couldn't have come from the ship she was in."

Seven stared at the floor.  "I began having nightmares of being chased.  I was terrified beyond what I would normally feel.  Then during the attack I heard a woman's voice in my head telling me that there was no escape and that she would have me."  This is your path.  Seven thought back to that dream she had, thought back to when her persuer stepped into the light and it was herself.  She shook slightly and frowned, not taking her eyes from the floor.

Yoda seemed to consider her words then finally he said, "Safe you are here.  Shield your mind I will until this is solved.  Rest and relaxation we need.  And food."  Yoda gripped his little cane and without another word left the room.  Seven watched after him.  She could feel his shield in her mind, blocking all outside influences and prying minds.  Sighing, she stood and absently rubbed at her stomach.

Jinn was next to stand, saying, "Would you care for a tour?"

Jane arose next, followed by Tuvok and said, "I believe that would be relaxing.  Seven?" she questioned, concerned.

Seven blinked and shook her head.  "If it is permitted, I would rather walk alone."

Janeway sighed, wishing Seven would join them.  For some reason didn't like the idea of Seven going off alone.  It made her uneasy.  Nevertheless she looked to Jinn.  Jinn nodded.  "Make yourself home within these walls."

"Thank you," Seven said.  Then without a word she left.  It was alot to assimilate.  This was one of those times when a tiny part of her wished that she were still part of the collective.  Everything was cut and dry there.  You were part of many minds, not faced with a mind hiding within your own.  There were no dark ones trying to steal your soul, questions that needed answers, no anxiety. Only the calm of the collective.  It was like being part of an endless sea.  There were no waves of misunderstanding, no undercurrents of doubt.  Only a peaceful restful sea where you knew who you were and doubted no one because they were you and you, them.  But then she had no free will. She would never have had the opportunity to understand the people of Voyager, never had gained the strength she had, nor learned that there was strength to be drawn from friends.  She valued them more than she thought they knew.  And the Doctor.  She would never have known him.  He was special, no doubt.  But these feelings were still slightly alien and she couldn't pinpoint exactly why she held him closer to her heart than the others.  And he valued her, she knew.  She sighed, wishing he were here to offer his counsel.  Seven sighed as she walked, staring at the muted floor.  Everything was muted here.  The floor was a light colored beige as were the walls and the only decoration was an occasional plant or a set of chairs.  She really had no clue where she was going, only that she needed to pace.  Soon, however, she came to a set of glass doors.  Beyond them she saw an outdoor garden.  Opening the doors softly she stepped out onto the large terrace.  It was quite breathtaking with a path of stone and a wide variety of green plants and flowers.  She looked up into the busy skies of Coruscant as the many transports flew overhead.

It didn't take her long to reach the edge of the terrace.  She gripped the rail and stared out over the edge, a strange calm coming over her as the breeze cooled her.  The sky was a lovely with blazing shades of pink, purple and orange as the sun set.  "Breathtaking, isn't it?" said a voice from behind.  Seven turned and saw a pale skinned girl with black hair, the same that had been in the council chambers.  There was something about her that made Seven feel uneasy.

She blinked.  "It is a pleasing visual display."

The young girl stepped forward.  "My name is Dana Nerajj.  You?"  Her smile was bright and friendly, but something wasn't right.

Seven frowned at her irrational apprehension towards the girl and said, "My designation is Seven of Nine.  Are you one of the Jedi?"

The girl nodded and folded her arms, leaning over the rail and looking out.  "I will be.  I just got here.  Are you a Jedi?"

Seven looked out too and replyed, "I'm not at this time.  I don't know if I ever will be.  They tell me that it would require years of training.  I would have to leave Voyager.  I don't know if I am willing to do that."

Dana smiled.  "Well, if you decide to stay maybe we could become friends.  Would you like that, Seven of Nine?"

There was something about the tone of her voice, something in her eyes maybe that made Seven shiver.  However, she answered, "I believe that I would enjoy that.  If you will excuse me.  I believe my companions are waiting for me."  Seven stepped away.

Dana only smiled more, saying, "It was nice to meet you, Seven of Nine.  Perhaps we could be friends during your stay."

Seven only nodded and left quickly.  Dana turned back to look out over the railing with a grin on her face.  Oh yes, Seven.  You will be my apprentice.  All that power will serve me.  She frowned though, something about Seven bothering her.  She was shielded totally.  Dana had tried to probe gently so that she wouldn't be detected, but she couldn't get in.  That was going to be tough.  But she was determined to win Seven's confidence.  Then Seven would relax around her and lower her shields.  Dana crossed her arms and stared out over the sunset.  She would have the power she wanted.  She would have her empire.