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| "Good Night" by Beth Newell |
"I do not know to ask for
it," a flat voice stated.
"You don't have to be afraid, Seven. All you have to do is
tell the Commander that you need your own quarters now,"
Ensign Samantha Wildman said as they walked thought the halls of
Voyager.
Samantha had recently begun to spend time with ex-Borg, when she
began to realize that Seven was one lonely person.
"I am not afraid, Ensign Wildman. I just believe that I will
not receive what I want," Seven said as she turned to look
at the young mother.
Of all the people on Voyager, Samantha was the one of the most
forgiving about her past. She is trying to be my friend, Seven
thought in amazement.
"Seven you are a member of the crew and should have your own
quarters." Samantha said.
Everyone thought that Seven was cold and unfeeling, but Samantha
knew the truth. Seven just didn't understand the crew, so she
retreated into the Astrometrics lab and herself. So after
watching this go on for a few months, Samantha decided that the
only way that the crew would warm up to Seven, if they saw
someone be her friend. At first, Seven did not know what to make
of Samantha's overtures. But after some time, Seven and Samantha
had begun to form tentative relationship. Soon the two women
arrived at their destination, Commander Chakotay's office.
Samantha turned and looked at the ex-Borg. If the crew could
looked past the implants on her face, they would see a lonely
child, she thought.
Seven slowly touched the door alarm. A muffled voice came from
the other side of the door.
"Come in."
Samantha turned and gave Seven a warm smile of encouragement. The
two women walked to the Commander's office. They found Chakotay
sitting behind his desk reviewing data padds. When he looked up,
the surprise could be seen on his face. So the talk that Wildman
was spending time with Seven are true, Chakotay thought as he
watch the two the women walk to the front of his desk. Putting
down the padds about current food stocks, he waited to see what
they wanted. Seven turned and looked at Samantha. Samantha gave
Seven a smile of encouragement. Taking a deep breath, Seven told
Chakotay of her needs.
"Commander, I now need to sleep for no less than 7 hours
each day. I have found that sleeping standing up is very
uncomfortable. I am in need of some quarters."
Chakotay was surprised in the request that was made of him. Of
all of the things that Seven could ask for, he did not expect
that it would be for quarters of her own.
"We may have a problem with getting you some quarters. We
are limited on space, so it might be awhile before I can do
anything for you."
An impassive expression came across Seven's face.
"Thank you for trying to help me, Commander," Seven
said and started towards the door.
Chakotay watched Samantha walked towards Seven. When Sam reached
Seven, she started to talk to her in hushed tones. After a few
moments, Seven turned and left the room. Samantha turned and
looked at Chakotay.
"I guess I did not do a very good job," Chakotay said
as came from behind his desk.
Samantha joined her XO in sitting on the couch.
It's not you Commander. Everyone on Voyager is treating Seven
like she is adult. But Commander she has the mental understanding
of a six-year-old. She really does not understand how to act in
basic social situations. Another problem is that by using the
Borg alcove she different from the of us. The quarters represent
more than a room to sleep, it would mean that she be more like of
us," Samantha said as she looked at Chakotay.
"Since she is like a child she does not understand things
that we learn as children. She becomes confused and in confusion
withdrawn in to herself," Chakotay said, beginning to
understand how the newest crewmember thinks. "So by having
quarters of her own, she could be begin to be more like us,"
Chakotay said, clearly understanding more about Seven than he
ever did.
"Right, Commander. Those quarters represent more that just a
place to sleep, It would mean that Seven is more like us,"
Samantha said, glad that someone else understood what was going
on with Seven.
I'll try to figure something out, but Samantha it may take me a
few days to get some quarters for Seven," Chakotay said as
he rose from the couch.
Well please try, Commander. If nothing else, Seven can always
bunk with Naomi and I...Well I have to get to holodeck two. I
left Naomi with Charlene and I sure that she has had enough of
Naomi by now."
Samantha turned and walked towards the door.
"Commander, thanks for any help that you can give
Seven," Samantha said as she left the Commander's office.
As Samantha made her way to holodeck two, the problems of Seven
continued to worry her. Samantha knew that something positive had
to happen in Seven's life and soon. The Doctor was concerned that
Seven could be heading for a emotional breakdown. As the Doctor
pointed out to Samantha just yesterday, Seven was a person with a
very limited emotional foundation and anything could send her
over the edge. Arriving at holodeck two, Samantha checked to make
sure that the Doctor's family program was running. Samantha
walked on to the holodeck. The program was one of a nice family
home. Looking around the house, Samantha did not see Naomi or
Charlene. Walking out to the garden, Samantha saw Charlene and
Naomi sitting on the grass looking closely at some flowers in the
flowerbed. Although Samantha did not want take Naomi away from
the holodeck, it was time for lunch.
"Naomi, its time to go," Samantha called out to her
daughter. Naomi and Charlene turned to look at Samantha.
"Okay, Mommy. Just let me get my stuff," Naomi said as
she got up.
As Naomi started to gather up her stuff that she had brought to
the holodeck with her, the Doctor's wife came over to talk to
Samantha.
"How are you doing today Ensign?" Charlene asked as she
stood next to Samantha.
"I am doing well, Charlene. How are you doing?"
Samantha said.
"Better...I still miss Belle, but having Naomi visit really
helps. Thank you for letting here Samantha," Charlene said.
"Well back in really soon Charlene," Samantha said as
her daughter came to stand next to her.
As mother and daughter walked across the holodeck, Samantha
called out "Exit."
The doors appear and then Samantha said "End and save
program."
Mother and daughter walked out of the holodeck and into in the
real world. When Samantha and Naomi walked into the mess hall,
Samantha looked for Seven. As she, expected Seven was not there.
As Samantha and Naomi sat down to eat their meal, Seven walked
into the room. As Seven went to get her food, Samantha could see
the other crewmembers in the room were reacting to the ex-Borg
being in the room. Most of the people in the room just ignored
Seven. Those who did pay her any attention, it seem to run
towards disgust.
Deciding that it was the time to make a public stand for Seven,
Samantha stood up and called out. "Seven, we're over
here."
Several of the crew turns to look at Wildman. Samantha just
ignored them. Seven walked over to them and sat with them. After
setting down her tray, Seven looked at mother and daughter.
"Thank you for letting me eat with today, Ensign. I found
eating alone is not very pleasant," Seven said as she to
figure out what she was eating.
"Just eat it, Seven. You really don't want to know what it
is," Sam said as she watched Naomi eat her food.
The three women ate in silence. As they finished up their lunch,
Commander Chakotay came over to their table.
"Seven I am glad that I found you. I've got some news for
you. After you left my office this morning I had another visitor.
It seems that Ensign Fitzpatrick and Ensign Jarvis has been
seeing a lot of each other off duty. In fact, Nancy Jarvis wants
to move in with Fitzpatrick today," Chakotay said, waiting
to see the reaction of the two women.
"Commander, that wonderful!" Samantha said. "Nancy
Jarvis's quarters are right next ours. Seven we are going to be
neighbors. Isn't that great!" Samantha said she looked at
Seven.
The ex-Borg had been quiet up to this point. Samantha and
Chakotay looked at Seven and what they shocked them. Seven of
Nine, the person that rarely showed any emotion was crying! Seven
quickly jumped out her seat and ran out of the mess hall. As
Seven ran out, several crewmembers watch her in shock. Samantha
quickly followed Seven out into the hall where she found Seven
leaning against a doorframe. Samantha touched Seven on the
shoulder to gain her attention. When Seven turned around,
Samantha could see tears gathering in Seven's eyes.
"Seven are you all right?" Samantha asked, very
concerned about Seven's emotional well-being.
I am fine, Samantha. I am not used to someone being nice to
me," Seven said, using Wildman's first name for the first
time.
"I should return to the Astrometics lab. We will meet at
Ensign Jarvis's, I mean my new quarters at 1900 hours."
Seven turned and headed down the hallway.
Samantha spent the rest of her day off with her daughter, since
Naomi was currently the only child on Voyager; Samantha had
enlisted Lt. Commander Tuvok's help to create a educational
system for her daughter. At this current point, it seemed to be
working well. Mother and daughter spent the day in their
quarters. As 1900 hour approached, Samantha began to think that
Seven was not going to take over Nancy Jarvis's old quarters.
After Samantha had put her Naomi to bed, she sat down and began
to read Jane Austin's "Emma." She wasn't into the
second chapter, when her door chimed. When she open the door, she
found Seven standing in her doorway, holding her few personal
belongings.
"Would you like to help me move into my new quarters?"
Seven asked as she looked at Samantha.
"Sure I would love to help," Samantha replied.
After checking to make sure that Naomi was asleep, Samantha went
with Seven to her new quarters. As Samantha looked around the
room, she realized that it was a little bare.
"The next time we get some shore leave, you should get some
things to make your new quarters more your own."
"More my own?" Seven asked, clearly puzzled.
"We can work on that later. Is there anything else
Seven?" Samantha asked, starting to feel tired. "It's
getting later and I do have an early day in sickbay."
"No, Samantha. Thank you for all of your help today,"
Seven said looked around her new quarters.
"You're welcome, Seven. If you need any more help, I am just
next door. Well, see you in the morning," Samantha said as
she walked towards the door.
"Good night, Seven."
"Good night, Samantha," Seven said as she stood in her
quarters looking at her new home.