Part VII
Rated: M

By: AW

Disclaimer: I don't own the people or the episodes but the story is mine.

Seven and Doctor Crusher made their way to Starfleet medical at the crack of dawn. It was now 5 am and they had finished their coffee while Seven answered all of Dr. Crusher's questions, the one's she had answers to anyway.

When they arrived at her office, Admiral Janeway and Captain Chakotay were there, looking more frightened then she had ever seen anyone look. She took a close look at Janeway and she looked as if she had gained weight over the last five hours. Beverly walked up to the former command couple and gave a questioning look to Kathryn. She slowly lifted her top and showed a very distended abdomen compared to what she had seen not a day ago, filled with faint blue lines, reminiscent of the Borg assimilation work.

Crusher opened her tricorder and started the scans. "Kathryn, we have some serious issues here..."

Kathryn looked to the woman, "I don't want this thing inside me anymore. I know that there are laws against abortions past the first trimester but..."

Crusher shook her head. "Kathryn, I wouldn't do it even if you wanted me to. This child has intertwined herself into your system so badly, that to remove it might kill you." She paused, "I don't even know what will happen when its time for you to give birth, and considering the current changes, I'm not sure when that will be. According to these scans, you're showing a development of six months."

Kathryn's whole body began to shake as a chill enveloped her and fear took her over. "What is the chance that this child poses a real risk to the Federation?"

Seven of Nine chose that moment to make her presence known. "This is the new 'Borg Queen'. She is Brenna Covington's replacement. After I refused the 'honor' she must have scanned for another willing host. Unfortunately, you're previous 'pseudo-assimilation' and the fact that you were with child, made that baby the perfect choice."

All the color drained out of Janeway's face as she tried to comprehend what Seven was telling her. "Do you mean that this child I carry, my daughter, is the new Borg Queen?"

Seven nodded. "Yes, Admiral."

It was at that moment that Janeway lost control. "I want it out, I can't give birth to that. I was having a hard enough time accepting the fact that this child was created without my consent, in a world I didn't know, but to know that this would be the outcome...it's unacceptable. I want it out NOW."

Crusher shook her head. This woman was nearing hysterics. Not that she blamed her. "I told you, I can't. I have no idea what trying to remove this embryo prematurely will do to you."

Chakotay watched in slow motion as Kathryn collapsed. He rushed to her side as he watched the blue-green veins of the Borg collective begin to snake their way across Kathryn's pale flesh. He looked to Dr. Crusher. "You have to save her."

Beverly shook her head. "I'm not sure how, I'll have to investigate..."

Chakotay shook with rage. "I want you to get our doctor involved. He may only be an EMH, but he has had the most experience with the Borg, if that's the only chance Kathryn has, I want to take it."

Beverly opened her mouth to protest the Captain's orders, when Chakotay once again took control of the conversation with a passion he hadn't realized he held any longer.

Chakotay was yelling at this point. "I don't think you understand Doctor. I'm not making a request." He drew in a deep breath, "I love her and finally have her, willingly and I need you to find an answer."

Crusher looked at Chakoty. "Captain, if you continue to interrupt my treatment options, I will have to ask you to leave. If you wish to stay I suggest you calm down."

Beverly looked down at Kathryn. She had begun to convulse as the lines across her skin grew darker. "I need to get her into surgery now, Commander. I'm sorry. I'll keep you appraised of her condition."

And with that, Chakotay lost sight of Kathryn for the second time since their return to Earth. He looked to Seven of Nine. "I thought I loved you, but your people, or the people who were 'your people' make me sick." He paused and turned around, "Please go, I can't look at you right now."

Seven turned to leave. She thought that joining the Voyager crew would help her re-gain her humanity, but in reality it had possibly led to their demise. This had to end.

She went to the quarters they had assigned her at Starfleet medical. She went to the medical cabinet and took out a lethal dose of a sedative. She began to feel sleep overcome her. Before she left the world forever though, she left a note for the EMH and a command to activate him in exactly two hours. She felt her breath begin to slow, and her mind begin to quiet.

Maybe in the next life, she would finally find the peace and humanity she had spent her whole mortal existence searching for.

At least she hoped so...

TBC in part VIII

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