"You're inflection was flawed in verse two, line one," Seven observed.

"It was not," he said simply, stroking the piano keys.

Her eyebrow rose as continued to sing softly, his eyebrows raised, eyes glancing at her, as if daring her to argue.  "You may believe what you wish, Doctor, however the fact will remain that your inflection was incorrect."

He shook his head and laughed, patting the seat beside him.  "Ok.  So I was off a little.  Did you learn to play piano in the collective, Seven?"

She sat and looked at the keys.  "One of the other drones, a Vulcan woman, used to sing lullaby's to her son.  She would play the acryen for her son.  The basic principal of use is the same as the piano."  She touched the keys.  "I barely recall her memories.  We didn't explore memories," she said softly.  "They were irrelevant."  He looked into her eyes, noting the sadness there, the guilt.  So many had been assimilated, so many she'd assimilated herself.  And now she knew just what it was the collective was taking from so many.  What she took from so many.  He briefly wondered if this Vulcan woman was one of the ones Seven had assimilated.  Softly and slowly she began to play the piano,  trying to recall the lullaby.  He couldn't take his eyes from her, those blue eyes that looked almost lovingly at the keys, remembering someone else's love for a child, those fingers as they gently touched the piano like a mother stroking her fevered child's head.  Abruptly she stopped, taking a breath and looking away.  "But that is irrelevant.  It happened long ago."

"Seven," he said softly.  "Don't just push your feelings away.  If you bury them then they will always be there to cause you further pain.  Talk to me."

"I don't wish to talk," she said through gritted teeth.

Though he couldn't see her he knew her enough to know she was close to tears.  She hadn't meant hostility, she was just frustrated with these still new feelings.  He touched her back softly, saying, "Well, if you ever need to talk, you know I'll listen."

She sighed and wiped her face.  "Why must you insist that I talk about this?" she said softly, still not facing him.

He began to play the piano again.  "What do you mean?  All I said was that I would be here for you."

She turned and looked at him.  "You touched me.  For some reason it makes my emotional response to stimuli stronger.  I suspect you know this, and despite the fact that I said I did not wish to talk about it, you still insisted."

The Doctor sighed, still playing.  "I'm sorry, Seven.  I didn't mean to push you.  I just don't want you to have to deal with things on your own."

She looked at the keys again, a few tears escaping onto her cheeks.  "The child's name was Vurak.  He was six when his mother left him with his aunt so that she could go with her husband to Wolf 359.  His mother never returned for him," she said bitterly.

The Doctor stopped playing and took her hand.  "You were controlled by the collective.  You didn't know any better."

Seven touched a key.  "I didn't assimilate his mother.  But how many other mothers have I assimilated?  How many fathers?  He was six," she said softly, staring at the piano keys.

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her gently to him.  "It's going to be all right.  Give it time, Seven."

She wrapped herself into him, letting a few tears fall.  "The damage is so great, Doctor," she whispered.

He closed his eyes, hugging her to him.  "It's all right.  You'll heal with time.  We're all here for you; Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay, Mr. Kim and Mr. Paris and even little Miss Wildman can help you.  And you know I am here for you.  We are all here for you.  So with everyone here on your side are you going to give up?"

She sighed.  "No.  I will not.  Thank you, Doctor."

He smiled.  "You can repay me by singing me a song sometime."

"Isn't that sweet?" said a voice from beside them.

The Doctor turned and Q stood there in a Starfleet medical uniform.  "Nice wardrobe," the Doctor said dryly.

Q shrugged and sat on the piano bench, scooting over and knocking Seven off and moving the Doctor to the edge.  He stretched his arms, smiling and began to play a fast paced happy tune.  "I thought it a bit boring myself.  Maybe if I added a little more color," he said and with a flash the bottom part of the uniform was a purple tone instead of the basic black.  "Though, I found Jean-Luc's uniform had a certain charm with it's red color, at least on me it did."

Seven stood, dusting herself off, and tapped her comm badge.  "Seven of Nine to security."  She waited.  "Security please respond."

Q smiled and leered, leaning over to the Doctor.  "So starfleet has taken to revoking their member's names and assigning numbers, have they?  What happened to Kes?  She was always so pleasant.  Oh, and security doesn't hear you, Miss Seven."

The Doctor slid off the bench and rolled his eyes.  "What do you want from us?" he said irritably.

"I've come on Seven of Nine's behalf, actually."  Q eyed them.  "I can't say though, that I'll enjoy doing what I have to do to such a beauty like her."

Seven's eyebrow raised.  "And what do you plan to do to me?" she asked curtly.

Q stopped playing and turned.  "I've come to give you a gift."  And with a wave of his hand he disappeared and Seven flashed.

The Doctor whirled to look at her and what he saw shocked him.  There where she had stood was a little girl, about six, with a child sized version of Seven's blue body suit on and long blond hair.  The Borg technology was gone, however.  "Seven?" he said softly.

The little girl shook her head.  "No, Sir.  I'm six and my name is Annika.  Where is my Mommy and Daddy?"

The Doctor was speechless.  "Uh," he stammered.  "They...aren't here right now.  I think you and I should go see Captain Janeway."

The little girl nodded.  "Ok, I'll come with you.  What's your name?"

"You can...call me Doctor."  He put his hand to his forehead and stared at her.

She giggled and grasped his hand.  "I'm ready, Doctor," she said, pulling.

"Right," he said, snapping back to attention.

They got a few looks as they walked through the hallways and on the bridge.  Harry Kim looked puzzled and Tuvok's eyebrow went up.  The Doctor led her down to face Captain Janeway.  She looked quizzically and said, "Doctor?"

He sighed and stood behind Annika.  "Captain, may I introduce you to Annika Hansen.  Her visitation is courtesy of Q, who visited me and Seven in the holodeck," he said.  "Annika, this is Captain Kathryn Janeway."

The little girl smiled.  "Hello, Captain."

Captain Janeway smiled, looking in wonder at the child.  "Pleased to meet you, Annika.  Perhaps you would like to meet Naomi Wildman.  She's close to your age.  This is Commander Chakotay.  He'll take you to meet her."

She smiled shyly.  "Can I please stay with the Doctor?"

Janeway smiled.  "You can visit with him later.  Right now I think you'd like to play while me and the Doctor have a little talk.  You wouldn't have any fun in my ready room.  It's boring in there.  What do you say?"

Annika thought about it.  "Ok.  Where is my Mommy and Daddy?"

Janeway looked up at the Doctor.  His eyes told her he didn't say anything.  "Well, Annika," Janeway said softly, "They aren't on Voyager.  We'll talk about this after you meet Naomi, hmm?"

Annika nodded and Chakotay held out his hand.  "I know you'll have a lot of fun with Naomi," he said, grinning at her.

The Doctor followed Captain Janeway and when they were in her ready room he said, "What do we tell her about her parents?" the Doctor asked.

Janeway sighed and sat down on her couch.  "What did Q say?  Is he going to change her back?"

"I don't know if he plans on changing her back.  He said he'd come to give her a gift and then he just vanished, changing her."  He sighed.  "If she stays like this then she's got to be told what happened.  But she's so young."

Captain Janeway sighed.  "Well, also there is the question of who will be her guardian.  Doctor, she seems to have a bond with you.  Would you keep an eye on her until we can decide what to do?"

The Doctor crossed his arms.  "I don't see why not," he said thoughtfully.  "I'd even be willing to care for her full time."

Janeway smiled.  "It's a big responsibility," she said softly.  "Are you sure you could handle that and sickbay too?"

"I think it could work out," he said, leaning against her desk.  "We could work something out.  Maybe create a room in sickbay or something like that."

"We'll have time to work out the details.  For now prepare her a bed in sickbay if you're certain you want to care for her."  Janeway folded her hands onto her lap.

The Doctor thought about it.  "I'm certain.  Thank you, Captain."

She smiled and stood, patting his back.  "I wish you luck, Doctor."

He bit his lip.  "What about when she asks about her parents?  Do I tell her?"

Janeway sighed.  "I think you should.  If she stays like this, like you said she's got to be told.  If we can get Q to return her back to her normal self, then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  Keep me updated on her progress."

"Aye, Captain," he said softly, leaving.

"Tough break," Tom said looking at the tricorder.

The Doctor paused.  "What do you mean?"

Tom shrugged.  "Well, you and Seven were kind of seeing each other, weren't you?"

The Doctor sighed.  "Well, if this will give her a second chance to grow up happy then I will gladly give up any romantic notions I had about her."

Tom smiled.  "That's sweet, but it's gotta be hard."

"Whether or not the transition is hard or not is irrelevant.  If she stays this way then she stays this way.  Nothing can be done to reverse that aside from Q.  Besides, her emotional scars run very deep.  If she can grow up without knowing the guilt she had felt, without the trauma she suffered at the hands of the Borg...if she can have a normal life, then I'll be happy for her."

"We'll all be happy for her, Doc.  Annika and Naomi.  I wonder what crazy scheme's they'll create as they grow up."  He giggled and shook his head.  "Almost makes me want a little one of my own."

The Doc's eyebrow rose.  "Funny, you didn't strike me as the fatherly type."

Tom bit the inside of his cheek thoughtfully.  "I'd like to be a father someday.  You know, long after me and B'Elanna cool off and settle down."

The Doc smirked.  "She's a Klingon, Tom.  I don't think they do settle down."

Tom grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.  Suddenly the doors to sickbay opened and Samantha Wildman entered with Annika and Naomi.  "Hello, Doctor," she said, smiling.  "I was told to bring Annika here when she and Naomi finished playing.  We've already had dinner."

Annika pouted slightly.  "Naomi has to study and go to bed."

The Doctor smiled.  "Did you have fun playing?""

Annika nodded and smiled.  Turning to Samantha she said, "Thank you for letting me play.  I had fun.  Bye, Naomi."

Naomi gave a little smile.  "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow, Annika?"

Annika looked quizzically up at the Doctor.  He smiled back down at her.  "Ensign Wildman and I will talk about it."  He looked up at Samantha.  "I need to talk with you, if you have any time tomorrow.  I need some advice," he said, looking briefly at Annika.

Samantha smiled.  "Of course, Doctor.  I'd be happy to help you in any way I can.  Tomorrow I have morning shift off."

After good-bye's were said Samantha left with Naomi and the Doctor turned to Annika.  "Well, now.  You and I need to talk about some things.  First we should replicate something for you to sleep in."

Tom grinned.  "My shift's over.  Night, Doc."

"Goodnight, Tom," the Doctor answered, watching Tom leave.  When the doors to sickbay closed he crouched down to Annika.  "That was Ensign Tom Paris.  He's a nice enough sort.  Just promise me you won't have a crush on him when you start liking boys."

Annika giggled as the Doctor stood and motioned her to a bio-bed.  "I won't," she promised as he lifted her up and sat her down.  "Doctor," she said in an asking tone.  He knew what her next sentence would be.  "Where are Momma and Dad?"

The Doctor sighed.  "Annika," he said gently.  "This is one of the things we need to talk about."  He stood there for a moment, her bright blue eyes staring at him with complete trust as she waited for her answer.  He hated having to do this, but she had to know.  "Annika, your mommy and daddy.  Well, do you remember the Borg?"

Annika nodded.  "Mommy and Daddy were studying them."

The Doctor nodded.  "Yes.  Well, you see the Borg, Annika, there is no easy way to say this.  The Borg took your mom and dad."  He waited for a moment to let her think.

Her eyes were a mirror of fear.  "Are they hurt?  Is Mommy and Daddy okay?"

The Doctor sighed.  "Annika, they aren't hurt.  They've, well, sort of joined the Borg."

A few tears slid down her cheeks.  "Joined?" she said.

The Doctor nodded.  "Yes, Annika.  They joined the Borg and well, they want us to take care of you.  They didn't want to go, but they had no choice."

Her lips formed a pout and more tears fell down her cheeks as she whispered, "Momma and Daddy aren't coming back?"

He sighed and took her little hand.  "I'm sorry, Annika, but Momma and Daddy won't be coming back."

His heart could have melted as her blue eyes filled with tears and her little lips pouted as she tried to be strong and not cry.  But she couldn't help herself.  She threw her arms around the Doctor's neck and cried, scared and lonely.  Her Mom and Dad were all she knew and now that was gone.  He questioned now what would have been better, grown-up Seven having suffered assimilation or  little Annika, suffering the loss of her parents.  He hugged her softly.  "It's ok, Annika," he said softly.  "They aren't hurting and we on Voyager will take good care of you."

She sat back and rubbed at her eyes sleepily.  "Will you be my daddy?" she asked, yawning and taking shaky breaths as tears still fell down her cheeks.

The Doctor shrugged.  "Well, in a way I suppose.  We haven't decided yet who will take care of you."

She sniffled and yawned again.  "I want you to," she said.

He smiled softly watching her rub at her eyes and yawn.  "I'll be taking care of you for now, Annika.  You've had a busy day.  Let's get you something to wear to bed."

She nodded and he picked her up, taking her to a terminal to look at different sleep wear.  Annika picked a pretty little nightgown in pink and all changed into it, she sat on a biobed as the Doctor fixed a different one for her to sleep on.  He smiled.  "Look comfortable?" he asked as she yawned yet again.

"Uh-huh," she said simply and he picked her up, laying her down and covering her with the blanket.  "Where's my teddy bear?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Hmm," he said.  "Well we'll have to replicate you one.  How does that sound?"  She nodded and waited as he went to the replicator and created a brown stuffed bear with a big pink bow around his neck, matching the child's nightgown.  She smiled when he returned and made the bear kiss her on the nose.  "What do you think?" he asked.

"I love him!" she said, taking the bear and hugging him.  "What's his name?"

The Doctor smiled.  "Well, I think since you're his mommy you should name him."

She bit her little lip in thought and looked at the bear.  "Tommy.  Tommy the teddy bear."  She looked up at the Doctor.

He nodded his approval.  "Tommy is a fine name for a teddy bear.  You and Tommy sleep good now.  If you need me I'll be in my office right over there.  If I'm not there then all you have to do is say, "Activate EMH," and I'll be right there.  Got that?"

She nodded and yawned.  "Activate EMH," she repeated.  "I miss Mommy and Daddy," she said softly, cuddling into the covers and holding Tommy.

The Doctor sighed.  "I know.  It'll be ok.  Goodnight," he said softly.

"Goodnight."

The Doctor stood there for a moment just watching her as she squirmed around.  "Computer," he said softly.  "Decreased illumination to ten percent."  He smiled as she settled and went into his office, deciding that for tonight it would be best to stay up just in case she needed him.

They were laughing and having their lunch there aboard their little ship.  "What do you think, Muffin?" her daddy was saying.  "In a few days you're going to be six years old!"  She giggled as he picked her up and set her on his lap.  "My little baby is growing up.  You know, Erin.  She's almost a big girl."

Her mommy smiled.  "Almost."

Magnus Hansen smiled at his daughter.  "Pretty soon we'll have to start watching for little boys, making sure they don't come and kiss my baby girl."

"Oh, Daddy" she said, giggling.

Erin sighed.  "I don't want to even think about her being a big girl."

Magnus smiled.  "Me either.  What do you say, Princess?  Will you stay a little girl for Mommy and me?"

Annika smiled and nodded.  "Ok, Daddy.  I will."  She giggled and reached for her juice.

He smiled and handed it to her.  "Here, Muffin."

She grasped it in her tiny hands and took a drink, spilling a little as her daddy poked her in the side.  Erin grabbed a napkin and stood to wipe her daughter's dress off.  "Oh, Magnus," she chided, wiping Annika off.  "Now she'll have to change."

Magnus smiled at his little girl.  "That's ok.  Isn't it, Sweetie?"

Annika smiled at him as her mommy pulled her off his lap and took her to her room to get changed.

His eyebrows furrowed as he read through the logs that the Hansens had made.  It was quite fascinating, reading their remarks and discoveries about the Borg.  It was a wonderful insight into life as a drone.  He didn't even notice her standing there, teddy bear in hand, watching him.  "Doctor," she said into the silence causing him to jump.

He turned.  "Annika, what are you doing up?"

She sleepily walked to where he sat.  "Tommy couldn't sleep."

He smiled and looked into her eyes.  "And why couldn't Tommy sleep?"

She rubbed her eyes.  "He was dreaming.  He said he wanted to come and make sure you were still here."

He looked at the teddy bear.  "Well, Tommy.  I'm here and always will be."

Annika put the bear up to her ear.  "He said he wants to know if you promise."

The Doctor looked at her sympathetically.  "I promise."

Annika climbed onto his lap and settled into a semi-laying position as he held his arms up, looking at her.  "Don't you think you should be in bed?" he said gently.

"Mm hmm," she murmured, snuggling down.

He smiled and let her rest there and kept reading through some of the Hansen's logs.  It was strange having little Annika, little Seven of Nine in his arms like this.  He had fallen in love with Seven and they had even started dating, but now it looked like that wasn't going to happen.  It was hard for him to equate Seven with Annika.  Seven was the woman he loved and Annika, of course, was different.  He found he cared for this child like he would if she were his own.  And yet these two people were one and the same.  As Annika grew into a woman what would he feel?  True, she would never be the woman he'd fallen for, but that face would always remind him of Seven.  He softly ran his fingers through a lock of her blonde hair as he absently read through her parents' logs.  It wasn't until someone else entered sickbay that he knew it was morning.  "How sweet," Tom said.  "Doc and Daughter.  What a nice picture that would make.  Did you want me for morning shift or later?"

The Doctor stood, holding little Annika gently.  "You can do morning shift.  I'm going to have to talk with Samantha Wildman and Neelix about how to care for little girls and I am supposed to talk to Ensign Wildman this morning if you wouldn't mind...um.."

"Whoa..whoa, Doc.  Babysitting this little kid?  I don't know anything about children."

The Doctor sighed.  "Just for a little while.  She might even be asleep until I get back."

Tom sighed and nodded.  "Fine.  Give me today's agenda and tuck her in."

The Doctor smiled and took Annika to her bed, laying her down.  "I won't be long.  If she wakes up just replicate her something to eat and let her eat it at my desk."

"On whose rations?" Tom said smartly.

The Doctor smirked.  "On Seven's of course."

Tom shook his head.  "And just how am I supposed to access Seven's rations?"

"Access code 7A Beta."  The Doctor took another look at Annika before handing a data padd to Tom.  "I'll return shortly."

Tom nodded and said, "Right," as the Doctor left.  He turned and looked at the little girl that slept soundly.  "Just don't panic on me here, Annie."  He sighed and went about his morning tasks.

Samantha smiled, sipping her coffee.  "Well, Naomi is normally a good natured little girl as I can tell Annika is, but like all kids, she can be a handful.  Annika is at an age where she's just now understanding things differently than she used to when she was a toddler and she'll question you alot.  Children go through two stages when they think they know everything.  First stage is the transition from toddler to child.  At this time they are being educated more and more.  The next stage is in the late stages of puberty.  Again their way of thinking changes.  All in all, I don't believe Annika will give you alot of trouble.  She's a sweet natured girl.  I think she and Naomi will be good friends."

The Doctor sat back.  This was alot to soak in.  Sure he knew about the biological changes a child goes through, but to know first hand what it was like to raise a child...he never really considered knowing what that was like until Annika.  "What should I do about teaching her?" he asked.

Samantha smiled.  "I think she and Naomi should be able to do their studies together.  I wouldn't mind teaching them both.  Do you know if the Hansen's started schooling her?"

The Doctor nodded.  "They have records of it in the files we downloaded from the Raven.  I'll transfer them to you as soon as I return to sickbay.  What time will her studies begin?"

Samantha took another sip.  "Either Neelix or I usually wake Naomi up at about 0800 hours.  This gives her time to eat, shower if she needs to, get dressed and do whatever she needs to do to get ready for her day.  Then at about 0900 we begin her lessons.  Could you see Annika here by 0900?"

He nodded.  "Yes.  I'll see her here by that time.  Thank you, Samantha."

She smiled.  "Well, I look forward to seeing her today."

"What are you doing?" she asked and Tom jumped.  He turned to see the six year old standing there in her pretty pink nightgown, teddy bear in hand as she rubbed her eyes.

"I'm studying these lab results for a crew member.  Good morning.  Are you hungry?"  He crouched down.

She nodded, yawning, then asked, "Where is the Doctor?"

Tom stood.  "He's talking to Ensign Wildman.  He said he would be back very soon though," he answered, hoping she wouldn't panic and start crying.  "What would you like to eat?"

Annika grinned.  "Ice cream and cake," she answered excitedly.

Tom froze for a moment, thinking.  Oh no.  What do I do?  Is she gonna throw a fit if I don't give it to her?  Come on, Doc.  He sighed.  "Well, don't you think something a little more nutritious might be better?  What about oat meal?"

She wrinkled her little nose.  "Nooooo," she moaned, rubbing at her eyes sleepily.

Tom winced and went to the replicator, saying, "Go and sit at the Doctor's desk."

She complied and went into the office, sitting herself in the Doctor's chair.  When Tom came in her eyes went wide and a grin from ear to ear spread across her face.  "Yea!" she cried.  She waited excitedly as Tom set the bowl of chocolate ice cream and cake before her.

"Here you are, Annika.  Enjoy."  He smiled at her and slipped out, hoping she wouldn't finish before the Doctor came back.
Tom winced when the Doctor made it back a little after she began to eat.

"Hello, Tom," the Doctor said good-humoredly.  "Did Annika awaken?"

Tom smirked.  ""Yeah.  She just woke up.  She's in your office eating."  The Doctor smiled and went directly to his office.  Upon seeing Annika, he called Tom over.  "What?" Tom said, looking at her.

The Doctor eyed him.  "Isn't there something a little wrong with this picture?"

Tom shook his head.  "Not that I see."

"Do you eat chocolate cake and ice cream for breakfast?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

Tom grinned.  "Sometimes," he admitted.  "When B'Elanna isn't there to stop me."

The Doctor shook his head.  "That is a six year old child in there.  She needs something healthy for breakfast.  Look how much she's already eaten.  There's no way she'll be hungry enough for something healthy now.  If she gets sick I'm going to have Ensign Wildman call you to clean it up and you'll be the one to explain to Annika why she is sick."

Tom rolled his eyes and smirked.  "She won't get sick.  It's just cake."

"Wildman to sickbay," the voice said over the comm.

The Doctor stopped scanning Crewman Talbot's arm.  "Yes?" he answered, absently grabbing a dermal regenerator.

"Doctor," Ensign Wildman said, slightly distraught.  "Could I ask what Annika had for breakfast?"

The Doctor sighed and eyed Tom.  "She had ice cream and chocolate cake and you have Mr. Paris to thank for that," he said, healing the cut across the crewman's arm.

Samantha sighed.  "Well, she got sick on it and it's all over my bathroom."

"I'll be right there to clean it, Samantha," Tom said, mentally kicking himself.

As Tom left the Doctor shook his head.  "Is she still not feeling well?" he asked.

"No," Samantha answered.  "She's feeling quite better now.  I think she'll be fine for the rest of the day.  I'll take the girls to lunch in the mess hall and when lunch shift ends Neelix will take them back to my quarters and let them play a little."

The Doctor nodded the 'all healed' to Crewman Talbot and said, "Ok.  When should I get Annika?"

"Well, I could have Neelix return her to sickbay in time for dinner, if you would like."

The Doctor considered.  He hadn't had the pleasure of enjoying a meal with the girl who would possibly be his 'daughter'.  "Thank you, Samantha.  That sounds good to me.  Sickbay out."

He smiled as Talbot left and went back into his office to work on his next project, a dress for Annika.  He planned on sitting with her tonight and creating a suitable wardrobe, but he wanted her to have one specially made from him.  He was starting to miss Seven a great deal, but having Annika took alot of his concentration.  Things like dresses and outings, her mental and social growth on Voyager, these things all swirled around in the back of his mind.  He even idly wondered when other crew members would start having children, just so she could make friends and when she grew up maybe start dating.  He smiled and found himself already dreading that.  No one would be good enough for her.  At least in his eyes.  He bit his lip and gazed at the screen, looking at a particular design in different colors.  Selecting pale yellow he decided that with a few more changes he would head to the replicator.

"You two better be good," Neelix said as Naomi and Annika sat on Naomi's bed with dolls.  He smiled and slipped from the room.

"Is it fun on Voyager?" Annika asked, brushing her doll's hair back with her hand.

Naomi smiled.  "Yes.  You have got to come with me and Neelix to the holodeck.  It's sooo fun there.  I'm studying to be the captain's assitant.  Maybe you could be Commader Chakotay's assistant and then when we get older I'll be Captain Wildman and you can be Commander Hansen."

"Captain Wildman and Commander Hansen," Annika said, testing it out.  She nodded.  "I hope so!"

Naomi grinned.  "Well, you gotta study really hard.  I'll help you."

Annika nodded, smiling.  "Then we can have fun all the time."

"Yeah, and I just know we'll be best friends just like Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay!"  Naomi said excitedly.  "And Starfleet will even commend us for our brave and good work."

Annika smiled, looking at the blonde doll she held that wore a red command uniform.  "And we can wear these uniforms?"

Naomi nodded, looking at her own doll.  "Yeah and maybe we can even make new uniforms."

"Coool," Annika said.

"Annika," Naomi said.  "Did you ever play Kadis-kot?"

Annika shook her head, blonde hair flying from side to side.  "No."

Namoi smiled brightly.  "Come on.  I'll teach you!"

It was almost time for her to come home.  The Doctor smiled, holding her yellow dress.  Sickbay was now her home.  He leaned on a biobed and waited.  When the doors to sickbay whooshed open he smiled as Annika ran to him and hugged him.  "Did you like school, Annika?" he asked.

She nodded.  "Yeah it was fun.  Until I got sick.  But after that it was fun too."

Neelix smiled and left sickbay with a nod to the Doc.  He smiled at Neelix and looked back to Annika.  "Well, I have a surprise for you."

Her little smile got even bigger.  "What is it!?  What is it!?" she begged.

He held it out.  "What do you think?" he asked softly.

She smiled.  "It's so pretty," she said, taking it and looking.  "Can I wear it to dinner?"

He nodded.  "You sure can."

After a nice dinner together in the mess hall the Doctor had returned to sickbay with Annika with the promise that they would make her 10 new outfits for starters.  She had been enthusiastic about the idea and even more enthusiastic when she asked if she could make a new doll and was answered with a 'yes.'  The time they had spent together made him decide beyond a shadow of doubt that for the rest of her life he wanted that special place in her life, that role that her natural father was no longer able to fill.  He regretted that for Annika's sake, but he had to admit that a day without her now would be unbearable.  Now she was fast asleep on her biobed as he folded her shirt and lay it on his desk.  He looked around.  Sickbay facilities were just no place to raise a child.  He'd have to talk to Captain Janeway about getting some quarters.  Plan after plan manifested itself into his databanks and he watched her sleep.  "I love you," he whispered, tucking her teddy bear in with her.  With one last smile he deactivated himself.

"Change her back, Q" said Q.

Q frowned.  "Look at that.  She's happy.  He's happy.  Why not just let things develope?"

The elder Q shook his head.  "No, Q.  You knew it was wrong to begin with.  Just change her back."

Q rolled his eyes.  "But..."

"No but's.  Do it."

Q sighed and waved his hand and the little child flashed, changing into a fully grown woman with Borg implants, emotional scars and holding a teddy bear to her.  Q smiled at the sight and disappeared.

She winced and sat up, looking around.  Something was different, that much was certain.  She looked around and then down at herself.  The nightgown was the same and Tommy was still there, but her body had changed.  Somehow, though, it was correct.  And her thoughts had changed as well.  More memories, though she couldn't exactly say they were new.  "Computer, activate EMH."

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency," the Doctor said, appearing.  He turned and gaped.  "Seven?" he said.

She nodded and looked around.  "I feel strange.  I have memories that weren't there before.  I remember being a little girl, on Voyager."  She looked down.  "I was wearing this nightgown and you...you were caring for me."

The Doctor sighed and explained the whole story to her.  "Remember when Q appeared to us in the holodeck?"  She nodded.   "Well, he turned you into a child.  That was his gift to you."  Seven nodded, assimilating the information.  "How do you...how do you feel?" he said, wondering if she still cared romantically.

"I feel funtional," she stated, sliding off the biobed.

He gazed at her softly, the old feelings still there and strong as ever.  "You look beautiful," he said softly.

She looked at her attire and back to the Doctor.  "Do you wish to copulate?" she asked.  She had a habit of asking that.

He grinned.  "No.  I think we should wait for a while longer.  I was just saying you looked beautiful."  His tone was still soft.

She gazed for a moment, wondering what he was feeling, puzzling through her feelings.  "I must regenerate," she said just as softly.  "Thank you for your willingness to care for me, Doctor.  That means a great deal to me."

He nodded, still gazing.  "I'll inform Captain Janeway of your status today," he said.  "I'm glad to have you back, Seven."

She nodded, about to leave, but turned.  Backtracking to the biobed, she picked up Tommy.  "It was a gift from you," she said.  She stood before him and kissed his cheek, then left.  All he could do was stare after her.  She was definately starting to get the hang of romance.  He sighed, picking up the yellow dress he'd made for Annika.  I'll miss you, Annika, he thought.