Song quotes and chapter/song titles are from the Jars of Clay album Much Afraid.

She looked so beautiful against the backdrop of stars as she stared out the window.  He could see why the Doctor loved her so much.  Sure, she had a tough exterior.  She was still learning about herself...about what she was becoming apart from the collective.  But inside her there was someone else...someone innocent of the evils of humanity.  Someone who was a passionate and caring individual who had needs and desires.  "Hey," he said softly from behind her.

She turned with a start and regarded him.  "Hello, Ensign Paris," she said simply.

"Come here often?"  Tom smiled, looking around the mess hall.  "It's pretty late.  What are you doing up?"

She sighed irritably.  "I could not regenerate."

Tom nodded, stepping beside her and looking out at the stars.  "Something's on your mind.  I come here to think too."

She exhaled forcefully and said, "I will leave you to think."

"No," Tom said, gripping her shoulder.  "Stay.  We'll talk.  Come on.  Who better to talk to at night than me?"

She pursed her lips.  "Very well."  She took up her previous position and began to stare out the window again.

Tom shook his head slightly.  Not even gonna volunteer any information as to what's wrong, are you Sev?  Well, I'll ask, he thought.  "So what's on your mind, Sev?  I'll bet your not seeing stars out there."

She turned, annoyance written on her features, and was about to reply with a witty remark, but stopped and sighed.  "It's my development as a human that has disturbed me."

He waited.  She said nothing.  Taking a breath he said, "Care to elaborate?"

She seemed lost.  "Romance has got me puzzled, Ensign Paris.  I still don't understand all of what romantic feelings entail."  She knitted her brows, thinking.  Quite suddenly she asked, "How does one know when they have fallen in love?"

Tom smiled.  So that's it, he thought.  "Well, you start wanting to be around that person more.  When they smile you find yourself smiling too.  You find that you think you couldn't possibly live without that person.  Have you fallen in love, Seven?"

"I don't know," she said irritably.  "Love should be irrelevant."

Tom shook his head.  "I can't agree with you there, Sev."

She eyed him with her calculating blue eyes.  "Love is inefficient and crude," she said stubbornly.

Tom shook his head.  "No, I don't think so.  Love is strong.  It wins battles and strengthens defeat.  I don't think I could have accomplished half of what I have without B'Elanna's support.  Who is this person that you may or may not have fallen in love with?"

Her eyes went a little wide and her cheeks reddened.  "That is irrelevant."

Tom sighed.  "Aw, come on, Sev.  How can I help you if I don't have all the details?"

Her eyebrow rose.  "It is your intent to help me?"

He nodded.  "Of course."

She regarded him for a moment.  Finally she said, "The Doctor."  Tom grinned with a mental, Yes!  "I believe I have developed romantic feelings for the Doctor.  I find that I feel a need to see him more often.  When I see him I feel happy.  Can you tell me how I can purge these feelings?"

Tom shook his head.  "Purge?  Why would you want to do that?"

"Because," she said.  "I cannot allow myself to become dependent upon these feelings and their continuation."

"Seven, Seven, Seven," Tom said almost wearily.  "This is what humanity is all about.  Are you going to run from every man you have remote feelings for until the day you die?"

She focussed her gaze again out the window.  "I do not expect you to understand my reasons," she said flatly.

Tom sighed.  "And I guess you don't understand mine, either.  What, do you think I am so 'crude' as you would put it, that I wouldn't understand why you would think love is irrelevant.  Seven, I'm no fool.  I know that love was unheard of in the Borg collective, much less any emotion.  But I'm trying to get you to understand.  Your emotions aren't going to stop when you snap your fingers..."

"What if he doesn't reciprocate?" she cut in angrily.  "What if he does and we start a relationship and then his program is erased or I die?  What if I grow to be too old and he finds another?  I will continue to grow older as he stays renewed and then one day I will die and his program will remain.  There are too many factors..."

"That may or may not happen, Seven," he said gently.  "Look, I'm not trying to push you into something you aren't ready for or don't want.  I'm just trying to help you understand that these feelings will come up from time to time.  We all take risks.  When we form a friendship we take a risk that we'll one day lose that friend.  Don't shut out all of life's experiences, Seven.  Live life to it's fullest.  You've only got so many years before it's over."

She sighed and thought about it.  "I realize you're correct, Ensign.  I apologize for my temper.  These feelings are new to me.  I'm under a lot of stress in this situation."

He put his hand on her shoulder.  "I know.  It's a scary thing to love someone, Seven.  Always is and always will be.  If it helps any, I think that Doc'd be a match for you.  He's just perfect for you to explore these feelings with.  And who knows?  Maybe you might find yourself the happiest ex-Borg in the universe when you're in his arms."  He smiled, running his fingers through his blonde hair.  "I have to go.  Sickbay shift early in the morning.  Think about it, Sev?"

She nodded.  "I will consider all you have said.  Thank you, Ensign Paris.  I would appreciate it if you did not inform the Doctor of this."

Tom nodded.  "My lips are sealed."

"Guess who loves the EMH?" Paris said teasingly as he scanned the tissue sample.

The Doctor rolled his eyes.  "Please, Mister Paris, I am not up for one of your pranks."

Paris grinned.  "My, aren't we testy this morning?  What's the matter, get up on the wrong side of the holo-emitter?"

The Doctor sighed.  "If you are so inclined to believe," he answered.

Paris shook his head and laughed.  "Come on, guess who loves you."

"You?  Captain Janeway?  Naomi?  Please, I am just dying to hear who it is so that you can laugh and tell me that you were joking."  The EMH sighed and shook his head.

Tom took on a look of smug amusement.  "Well fine.  If you think I'm joking about Seven loving you then..."

The Doctor snapped to attention.  "Seven?  Are you serious?"

Tom made a show of thinking about.  "If I was, would you believe me?"

"How did you find out?" the Doctor asked.

Tom shook his head, feigning hurt.  "Oh no.  You insisted I was kidding."

The Doctor frowned.  "Okay.  I'm sorry, Tom.  Now would you tell me what I know you are dying to say?"

"Dying, eh?"

"Yes, dying.  Otherwise you wouldn't be making such a fine production of it."

Tom laughed.  "Okay.  Seven was awake the other night, staring out the mess hall window at the stars.  I went there to get some munchies and saw her so I asked her what was troubling her.  She said she had believed she developed romantic feelings for someone, so I asked who.  She said it was you."

The Doctor smiled.  "Me?  Really?  Well, I can't...believe this."

Tom laughed.  "You've been dying to get her and now that she's interested you can't believe it?  Look Doc, before you go swooping in and asking her to marry you, I've got to warn you.  She seemed a little apprehensive about the whole idea."

The Doctor frowned.  "Why?"

Tom bit the inside of his cheek.  "Well, it's not you.  It's love all together.  She's been considering every scenario out there and I think she's afraid."

The Doctor sighed.  "What do you suggest I do?"

Tom considered.  "I think you should wait a while, then tell her how you feel.  She kind of told me not to tell you, so it would look better for me if you didn't tell her you knew she loved you first."

The Doctor smiled slyly.  "And if I want you to take extra sickbay shifts?"

Tom grinned.  "Tell her.  I can withstand her fury if it keeps me out of here."

The Doctor laughed and continued his testing, mood shifting from the brooding silence of a man who didn't know what to do, to a man who now knew what course to follow.  He was going to tell her.  He felt almost weak with anticipation...he needed her more than ever.

Seven stood in her alcove irritably.  She was to meet the Doctor in the holodeck in seventeen minutes and the thought of it made her slightly nervous.  Two weeks had gone by since she's talked to Ensign Paris that night, and she was still undecided as to what to do.  One thing did change, however.   Her need for the Doctor.  She had begun to realise how lonely she was.  Borg were never lonely.  It felt almost like when she was first liberated from the collective...so alone...one.  Shw wanted to let herself love him, but the residual Borg in her reminded her of the inefficient things that love would bring.  Borg lived in a world of black and white, and the Doctor brought shades of grey into her existance.  She stepped from her alcove and looked into her mirror.  Her cheeks were wet.  She sniffled and wiped her eyes.  This was no way to go and see him.  Smoothing her hair back into it's twist and wiping the wetness from her face she departed the cargo bay and headed to her 'date' with the Doctor.  When she stepped into the holodeck immediately she was in another world, created of him.  It was a boat within the night waters of some alien ocean.  She sighed.  There was something about the stars and moonlight that told her this was not the place to be purging her feelings.  She steeled herself and walked the deck, looking for him.  "Doctor?"

"Here, Seven," he called from his spot not far ahead of her.  He smiled and turned.  "I thought this would be a nice setting for a change."

She sighed.  This was not easy.  "Your purpose for asking me here?"

He knitted his brows and smiled.  "I just thought we could socialize.  We are friends, are we not?"  She nodded once.  "Well, I was bored and didn't feel like stuffing myself into that tiny little buffer.  It gets cramped in there sometimes."

"Cramped?  You shouldn't notice any change in size..." she said, too unfocused to notice his attempt at humor.

He smiled and shook his head.  "It was a joke, Seven.  What's wrong?  You don't seem your usual self."

She pursed her lips.  "Nothing is wrong.  It's been a long day.  What recreational activity have you planned for this evening?"

He took her hands and she tensed.  "Seven, if you don't feel like socializing tonight we don't have to.  I just thought you might want to have a little fun.  Maybe I could get Paris and some of the others in here for pool if you don't feel up to anything."

She shook her head.  "No, Doctor.  I will be fine as the night progresses."  She didn't want to be away from him.  "What shall we do?"

He smiled.  "Nothing big.  Just thought we could have dinner by the stars.  Have you eaten dinner?"

She shook her head and shivered, a slight breeze cascading around her.  "I have not."

"Well," he said.  "Lets see what we can get for you."

All through dinner she had been quiet.  Something was on her mind.  Maybe he shouldn't tell her...put it off.  But looking at her with the moonlight shining down from behind her took his breath away. If only things were simpler, he thought to himself.  He had to remember that she was still afraid of these feelings and might not want to rush into his arms.  Still though, the subject had to be brought up sometime.  No time like the present.  But how?  "Seven," he said softly.

"Yes," she said equally as soft.

"You look beautiful tonight."  He smiled.

Her eyebrow rose.  "I have not altered my appearance.  Unless you are suggesting that the change of days affects my beauty, then I look no more beautiful than yesterday."

For a moment he felt like a shuttlecraft on red alert, crashing to the surface of the planet Defeat.  But he didn't let her analysis bother him for long.  Instead he smiled.  "You're welcome, Seven."

She sighed and looked at the table.  "I apologize.  I didn't mean for it to sound that way.  Thank you for your compliment."

He smiled softly and looked out over the dark waters.  "What's bothering you?"

He looked up and her blue eyes met his.  "I...nothing."

"Seven," he said, knowing something was wrong, wondering if it was what he thought it was.  He reached across the table and took her hand softly.  "You know you can talk to me about anything.  I...care for you a great deal."  He hoped that his eyes would tell her what he was having trouble saying.

She stared intently into his brown eyes and could see there the same uncertainty and need that must have been reflecting through her own eyes.  "I..." she started.  Suddenly she stood and went to the rail to stare out over the ocean.

He got up and joined her.  "Don't be afraid to talk to me.  I'm here for you."  He leaned against the rail and watched her.  She turned and stared into his eyes, wondering what to do.  Then, for some reason it seemed right, and he leaned forward holding her face softly and pressed his lips gently against her own.  He could feel her shaking as he kissed her.  Suddenly she pulled away, holding him back with her hands.  "I'm sorry, Seven," he breathed.

She sighed.  "No.  Don't be sorry."  A few tears fell from her eyes.  "I cannot allow this to continue."

He sighed.  "You don't love me," he stated, looking at the water.

She wiped her cheeks.  "I do, but I can't let myself become dependant upon love.  It is imperfect."

"We have to work for that, Seven," he said.  "Nothing is perfect."

How could she explain these fears to him?  She must resist and strive for protection.  "I must resist!  Please, understand," she said and then fled the holodeck.

The next morning Tom cheerily walked into sickbay and said, "How'd dinner go?"

The Doctor sighed.  "She didn't want to talk about it too much.  She basically said that she loved me but couldn't let herself become dependant on that love.  It's 'imperfect'."

Tom frowned.  "Well, at least she didn't run away from you."  The Doctor rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "She ran away?" Tom asked.

The Doctor nodded sadly.  "She said that she had to resist and asked me to understand and then ran right out of the holodeck.  You know, this wouldn't bother me so much if she didn't love me.  I mean I understand being afraid of these new feelings.  I just wish this wasn't as complicated as it's turned out to be."

Tom shrugged.  "Maybe all she needs is time."

The Doctor pursed his lips.  "Yeah, maybe.  But I'm not going to push it.  I want her friendship if nothing else."

Tom nodded.  "Well, I wish you all the best of luck, Doc.  It can't be an easy situation.  You wanna come to the holodeck tonight and play some pool with me, Harry and Chakotay?  A fourth would make everything even."  Maybe this would help get Seven off his friends mind. Poor Doc, Tom thought.

The Doctor sighed sadly.  "Yeah.  That sounds like fun."

Seven sighed as she stood alone in Astrometrics.  She had no wish to see anyone today.  All she wanted to do was sit on the floor, curl up in a ball and cry.  It wasn't like she wanted to hurt the Doctor.  He'd been of great assistance to her and was virtually her best friend.  And she was so lonely.  Observing the crew these past few weeks had made her see something she had never seen before.  It was like a spark of something special.  Their days were not like most of hers were.  Many of her days were waking up to her work and the consumption of nutrients and back to regeneration.  There was nothing neither special about it, nor terrible.  It simply was.  But the others, she noticed, were seemingly filled with something she'd only glimpsed of.  Joy.  She had never seen that spark of something more than mere existance until now and she wasn't sure how to get it or if she even wanted it.  There were so many reasons she could find that should prove to her that letting these people into her heart would be a mistake, but the yearning was still there.  And then there was the Doctor.  There was something different about her needs concerning him...something special.  And it was what scared her the most.  She sighed and stared absently at the controls.  Her mind wasn't made for working today.  Even now she wanted to be with him.  Just to see him...watch him.  She loved to watch his face.  His emotional expressions fascinated her.  His eyes would light up so bright when he smiled...at her especially.  She closed her eyes as that nervous feeling she'd been having went through her again. I must resist!  I will resist!  She felt her eyes begin to water a little.  I cannot, she thought defeatedly. What would be so bad?  I have romantic feelings for him.  He returns those feelings.  But what if I lose him...

"Hey, Seven," Harry said as he walked into Astrometrics.  "What are you up to?"

She hastilly wiped her eyes.  "I am working.  Do you not have a shift on the bridge that you must attend to?" she asked irritably.

He nodded.  "Yeah, in a few minutes.  I just got done with lunch and wanted to stop by and ask you to come to a surprise party in two days.  We're gonna celebrate the Doc's 'birthday'."
 

She turned a questioning gaze toward him.  "Birthday?"

He nodded.  "Yeah.  In two days it will be six years to the date that he was turned on.  We've never really celebrated his 'birth' so we figured it would be a good idea to get his mind off...things."  He looked away.

Her eyebrow went up.  "To what things are you referring?"

He shook his head.  "Are you wanting to come to the party?  What would a celebration for the Doc be without his singing companion?"

She sighed...wanting to go..not wanting to.  Something...anything to make her decide to go...ah.  How would it look if she didn't go?  "I will be there, Ensign Kim."

He smiled.  "Hey and maybe you could sing Happy Birthday to him?"

She gave him a gaze that firmly said no and said, "I will attend the party."

He grinned and shook his head, leaving her to her thoughts.  She sighed, wondering if there was wisdom in choosing to go.  She would be there with him...knowing that he loved her...trying to resist her desires.  Then the realization hit her.  She had to give him a gift.

The Doctor sighed as he and Tom walked down the corridor.  "She's been avoiding me ever since," he was saying sadly.  "I just don't know if she'll even want to be friends anymore."

Tom sighed.  "You can't think like that.  I'm sure with time she'll come around.  She just has to piece through all this."  He looked at the Doctor as they walked, leading him to the mess hall where the crew waited to celebrate his brithday.  "These things always just blow over.  I mean we're all gonna be on Voyager together for a long time...we've got to all get along with each other.  Just give it time and don't give up.  Say "Hi," and let her know there's no hard feelings, you know?"

The Doctor nodded.  "Yeah, I spose your right.  Is she going to be at the party tonight?"

Tom nodded.  "Yeah.  At least that's what Harry said."

"I wonder what she's feeling."  The Doctor sighed.

Tom pet his back and they veered into the mess hall.  Captain Janeway was the first to step forward, her characteristic smile painted on her face.  "Happy Birthday, Doctor."

"Thank you," he said to her and to the others as they stepped forward to wish him a happy birthday.  He glanced around and saw her sitting in the back near the windows.  She didn't smile, but only nodded her acknowledgement of him.  He gave her a wan smile and went to where his cake was.  The frosting was white and written in teal where the words, "Happy Birthday Doc," and six candles adorned the top, three on each side.  "This is a beautiful cake," he said.  "I wish I could enjoy it with you."  Everyone laughed.

Harry smiled.  "Make a wish, Doc and blow out the candles."

The Doctor smiled and closed his eyes, wishing that things wish Seven would get better.  "Okay," he said, opening them.  He took a breath and readied to blow them out when Seven stepped forward.

She looked down at the cake with the six candles and then produced a seventh.  Lighting it with the fire of the other candles she said, "One to grow on."  She pushed the candle into the icing.

He smiled.  "Thank you, Seven."

She looked away and said, "I must regenerate.  Have a pleasant party."  And with that she departed.

He sighed and looked after her, then drew in a breath and unenthusiastically blew out the seven candles.  Everyone clapped as he grapped a knife and sliced into the cake, revealing it's flavor beneath the icing to be chocolate.  Tom grinned.  "B'Elanna chose the flavor."

The Doctor smiled and hefted a piece of the cake onto a plate, handing it to the Chief of Engineering.  "Here," he said.  "Since you chose the flavor, you get the first piece."

She grinned, scraping some of the icing off with her finger and eating it.  "Thanks, Doc."

She nodded and sliced more of the cake, dishing out servings to the crew.  When everyone was satisfied and chattering, he slipped over the gift table and looked through everything.  Finally he found what he was seeking.  It was an envelope that had "To The Doctor, From Seven of Nine," written on it.  Looking around to make sure no one was paying attention, he opened the envelope and took the card out.  On the front was a photograph of a little white kitten with a gray gotee and little gray paws.  He smiled and opened the card.

Doctor,
We wish you a happy birthday and hope your next year will be better than the last.  Your gift is waiting for you in sickbay.  We hope you enjoy it.
Mezoti, Icheb, Azan, Rebi and Seven.

He smiled and read the message again.  "It's a kitten," said the voice of a female child.

He jumped, then turned.  "What, Mezoti?"

She blinked.  "We created a holographic kitten for you.  Seven suggested you might desire company in sickbay.  The photograph on the front of your card is of the kitten.  Do you like her?"

The Doctor closed the card and looked again at the front.  He smiled.  "She's very cute.  Have you named her?"

The small ex-Borg shook her head.  "We thought you should have that decision.  What do you wish her designation to be?"

The Doctor thought about it.  "Well, this is tough.  I haven't even had luck in choosing my own name.  Muffin.  That sounds like a cat name, doesn't it?"

She shrugged.  "It will serve it's function."

He smiled at the child.  "Well, thank you, Mezoti.  Tell the other's I am happy with Muffin."

She nodded and headed over to the cake table.  The Doctor stuffed the card back into the envelope and gazed at the door where Seven had exited. Oh, Seven, he thought.

"Seven," Mezoti said as she entered the cargobay.  "Why are you not regenerating?"  The other's were behind her.

Seven sighed.  "It is irrelevant.  Did the Doctor have a pleasant party?"

Icheb nodded.  "It was an enjoyable function."

Mezoti nodded.  "The cake was good."

"Did he enjoy his gifts?" Seven asked, wondering about her own gift to him.

Mezoti nodded.  "He seemed to have a pleasant time opening them.  I told him of the holographic kitten.  He reported that he was happy with it and elected to name the kitten Muffin."

"Muffin," Seven said softly.  "I am glad he enjoyed himself.  You must regenerate."

The children complied wordlessly and within moments Seven was 'alone' again.  She sighed, looking the children over.  Each of them had a long life ahead of them...each of them young enough to grow into their humanity.  And where was she?  Sitting in a cargo bay, hurting and afraid.  And never more than now, so terribly alone.  She thought these feelings would pass her by.  She thought that if she stayed away from him then the hurt, longing and fear wouldn't last, but she was wrong.  It only got worse.  He was in the back of her mind all the time now as she contantly wondered what he was doing, how he was feeling.  She bit her lip and looked at her reflection in her mirror.  Her eyes were a little red and the more she looked at herself, Seven of Nine, One, the more she wanted to cry.  Finally she pushed the mirror away and stared at the cargo bay wall, trying not to miss his smile.  And then she couldn't hold it in anymore.  She folded her arms and laid her head down and let herself cry.

The next morning Muffin sat on her daddy's leg as he absently ran his fingers through her fur.  She looked up at him and inquired as to what was bothing him with a short, "Mrow?"  He smiled down at her and then returned to distantly gazing at his office walls.  This was no way for him to be behaving with her.  After all, she was cute and loving and in need of attention.  Gazing with her little green eyes she meowed again, this time drawing it out.  She would not be ignored.

"It's all right, Muffin," he said, stroking the fur under his fingers.  "No need to complain."

Muffin laid her head down on his leg in frustration.  She looked back up at him as he stared off sadly.  If she were human she would have shaken her head and sighed.  But instead she decided to clean her paws, so with a spread of the toes she began licking.  Then it came to her.  She turned her head and began nipping at his fingers.  This would surely get his attention.  "Ow," he said playfully.  "What are you doing to me?"  He picked the kitten up and scratched her belly.  "Are you getting mad at me, moping around?  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to not give you the attention due you.  It's just Seven.  I don't think she even wants to be my friend...and that hurts.  I miss her so much.  I should never have let her know how I felt.  But then again, she would still have had her feelings, and would probably be avoiding me anyway.  I don't know what to do, Muffin.  Maybe you could make her smile again."

"Do you really think that kitten will answer?" Torres said from the door.

The Doctor blushed.  "I didn't realise you were here.  Sorry."

She smiled.  "That's fine.  I've just got a bruise that I'd like healed.  Nothing life threatening."

He smiled and handed her the cat, walking past her into sickbay and grabbing a hypospray.  "This won't take long," he said.

She rubbed the kitten and joined him, holding her bruised arm.  "Are you ok?" she asked, holding little Muffin.

He nodded, scanning.  "I'll be all right.  I suppose Mister Paris told you of my unfortunate situation.  This is a nasty bruise.  How did you get it?"

She nuzzled the cat's soft fur.  "Tom and I were...having fun.  Things got...exciting.  Yes, he did tell me.  I think she just needs time, Doc.  I don't think she dislikes you.  She's just afraid.  She'll work it out with herself and everything will be back to normal.  You'll see."

The Doctor sighed and said, "I hope so," and he ran the dermal regenerator over her skin...even though it was already healed.

"Ow," she said, pulling away.  "You better be careful, Doc," she said, concerned.

He took her arm and looked at it to make sure everything was ok.  "Sorry," he said.  "I wasn't paying attention."

She nodded.  "It's ok.  Just remember a slip up like that during an emergency might not be so easily dismissed."

He nodded.  "I know.  I'm sorry."

Torres handed him the kitten.  "Thanks, Doc.  She's a cute little thing."

He smiled and as Torres left, he said softly, "A gift from Seven."
 

The next morning in Astrometrics Seven stared at the terminal, about to write.  She turned away and frowned.  She wanted to resist the urge, but sighing, she turned back to the terminal and put her hands on the controls.  She shook slightly.  The decision she had made wasn't very solidified...in fact she almost descided against it.  But things couldn't continue this way.  She missed him so much she could cry again, just thinking about him.  No matter what she did these feelings weren't going away.  Then, taking a breath, she decided to do it.

Doctor,
I know things have been...less than optimal between us.  I apologize for that.  I have let my fears nearly destroy a friendship that I consider to be very important to me...if I haven't already destroyed it.  I tried to purge these feelings I have for you.  They frighten me.  But as far as I run, they are still there.  So, instead, if you still would wish it, I have decided to explore them with you.  Please, do not abandon me.
Seven of Nine

After another long breath she sent the message to sickbay.  Now she had to wait for him to respond...if he was going to.  This wasn't going to be easy.  She closed her eyes as that nervous feeling came again.

The Doctor re-read the message.  It was the fourth time he'd read over the words that Seven had written to him.  He sighed, the nervousness he'd programmed into himself making him shiver.  Muffin jumped up onto the coutner and meowed, pawing the screen.  "What should I do, Muff?" he asked, petting the kitten.  "I love her.  I can't abandon her."  Muffin only meowed, rubbing her face into his hand.  Taking a deep breath he knew what to do.  So he stood and went to see her.  As he entered Astrometrics he noted that she didn't turn right away.  He gazed for a moment as she stood there working.  "Seven," he finally said.  "I got your message."

She still didn't turn.  "Thank you for responding," she said in a tightly guarded voice.  "I hope you aren't too angry with me."

He leaned against the wall.  "I was never really angry with you.  Just hurt and confused."  He could see her stop working.

"I," she said, the control in her voice crumbling.  "I am sorry I caused you to hurt.  That was never my intent."

He rubbed his hands together nervously and said in a soft voice, "It's ok.  We all do things we don't mean at some point.  The important thing is that this is over.  I only want to be friends again.  Maybe things won't be the same anymore, but I would like to try...if you want."

"Is this all you want of me?" she asked, voice quivering.

The Doctor sighed.  "Seven, I can't stop my feelings.  I still love you.  With time I'll get over you if that will mean I can keep you as my friend.  I'll take you any way I can get you, Seven."

She turned now, tears running down her cheeks.  "Will you teach me about the love I feel for you?"

For a moment all he could do was stare at her.  Finally he got his voice back and said, "Is this what you really want?"

She slowly walked to him, staring into his brown eyes.  "This is what I want."

He looked at the floor, then looking back to her blue eyes he opened his arms and took her to him.  "We'll explore and teach each other then, Seven," he said gently, rubbing her back as she shivered in his arms.  "I love you."

"I love you," she said into his shoulder, letting her tears fall.

"I enjoyed your gift," he informed her.  "I call her Muffin."

Seven raised up and smiled through her tears.  "I'm happy."

He gently touched her cheek, looking into her eyes.  "So am I."  And with that he kissed her.

"So I hear you and Seven are together," Paris said as he studied the results of a test.

The Doctor smiled.  "Yes.  We worked through it yesterday."  He sighed.

"What's the sigh for?"  Tom looked up.  "Aren't things going well?"

The Doctor nodded.  "Things are going fine so far.  I guess now I'm the one who's afraid.  I want to help her explore these feelings and I love her so much.  What if she decided that her first course of action was correct?  What if she gets scared of me again or decides that she doesn't like romantic relationships? What if..."

Tom sighed.  "Doc, Doc.  You sound like she did the first night she and I talked.  Before we know it you'll be the one avoiding her.  Just take your time, Doc.  You both have wounds that need healing and you can't let this fear get in the way.  Don't put yourselves into this situation again."

The Doctor nodded.  "I suppose you're right.  I guess now I know what Seven felt like.  I just love her so much.  I want everything to be perfect between us."

Ensign Paris nodded.  "We all want things to be perfect, Doc.  Unfortunately things seldom are.  Me and B'Lanna have our little fights and our fears and hopes.  But it's our love for each other that keeps us fighting to make things perfect.  Maybe some day we'll reach that perfection, but the important thing is that we made it through the bad times and had great times."

The Doctor smiled.  "Thank you, Tom.  You've been a great help to me through this whole mess."

Tom grinned.  "Hey, what are friends for?"

The Doctor smiled contentedly.

Seven walked through the nighttime corridors of Voyager, making her way to sickbay.  All was quiet while most of the crew slept.  The fears were still there...the insecurity and worry about the many factors that could keep her and her Doctor apart, but her determination and love for him made her press forward.  She wanted to spend time with him...she had missed him so much this past week.  And she needed to heal the hurt inside her, and she knew he needed that too.  The doors to sickbay opened and she said calmly into the air, "Computer, activate EMH."

Suddenly before her the Doctor appeared.  "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."  He turned and smiled.  "Seven, what a pleasant surprise.  Is anything wrong?"

She nodded.  "Yes.  I have a strange symptom.  It seems every time I think of you I have an almost uncontrolable need to have your arms encircle me.  It makes my stomach flutter and my pulse race.  What is your precription?"

He smiled and looked at the floor modestly.  "We could try treating the problem with a hug."

She nodded.  "That is logical.  But first," she said, handing him a bundle of roses.

He was surprised to say the least.  He took them.  "Why Seven, roses?"

She smiled..  "A customary token of love and affection."

He smiled and took them to his office.  "I'll replicate a vase for them."

"That would be prudent," she said.  Then, "My treatment?"

With a grin he opened his arms and she wrapped herself into him.

Muffin stared from her spot on the floor as she licked her paws.  What on Voyager was her daddy doing?  With a yawn she stretched and laid her head on her paws, watching.  This new 'big thing' and her daddy seemed to really like each other, which was fine with her.  Just as long as she still got the attention that any respectable, affectionate and very cute kitten deserved.  Contentedly she closed her eyes and lay there, tail swishing back and forth as her daddy and the 'big thing' left the office meowing something about, "The holodeck."  Well, thought alone, at least sickbay was warm and comfortable.  And seeing her daddy made her feel warm and fuzzy and within a few minutes Muffin was sound asleep on the floor of sickbay, dreaming happily of her scratching post.