Chapter 21 added on 31 May 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: NC17
"Her heart rate has increased by 27 percent, the rate of breathing 18 percent," announced the EMH.
"Yeah, but are you detecting any cortical activity?" asked the engineer.
"Yes," he replied excitedly.
B'Elanna continued on to the next stage of the procedure, blocking out all other distractions, focusing totally on her task. She furiously rerouted pathways, careful not to intersect the synaptic relays, mindful of her need to hurry but not rush. She finished the procedure at the 40 minute mark, and the cortical node never shutdown. Seven's idea had given the engineer the six extra minutes she needed to complete the task.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, B'Elanna waited for the Doctor's prognosis.
"Lieutenant," he began, barely keeping the excitement out of his voice, "it appears the procedure was a success. Congratulations!"
B'Elanna's smile was huge. Her relief palpable. Looking over at Seven, though, her smile faltered. Tears were streaming down the former Borg's face. "Soch, baby? What's wrong? I thought this would make you happy," she whispered as she approached.
Seven swiped at her tears. "It does, tIq'wI', it does." A furious buzzing accompanied her words.
"Uh oh," said the Doctor and B'Elanna at the same time, as the half-Klingon reached out to steady the swaying drone.
"Let's get you to your alcove, bang'wI'," whispered B'Elanna tenderly, holding Seven up. She initiated a site-to-site transport to the Cargo Bay and helped Seven into her alcove. Caressing her face gently, she said, "yIQongchu', Soch. Can't have you missing your date with Naomi."
Seven responded shakily, "Indeed. Thank you, B'Elanna. I love you."
B'Elanna moved to the console to activate the regeneration sequence. Just as the cycle engaged, she whispered, "I love you, too." A smile formed on Seven's lips as she drifted off into cybernetic slumber.
B'Elanna was about to leave the Cargo Bay when the Captain entered.
"Lieutenant, is everything all right? Tuvok alerted me when he noticed a site to site transport in progress." The Captain gave Torres a concerned look and glanced up at Seven in her alcove.
"Actually, Captain, things couldn't be better." B'Elanna explained about the progress on the holodeck and what precipitated Seven's need for regeneration.
Janeway gave an understanding nod and asked, "When do you think you'll actually perform the surgery?"
Leaving the Cargo Bay together, B'Elanna responded, "If it were up to me, tomorrow. But I think the Doctor wants to wait a few days. I know Seven will need to regenerate for about 24 hours prior to the surgery and for at least 216 hours after."
"216! But that's-"
"Nine days, I know," replied the diminutive Klingon morosely. "The Doc seems to think it will take that long for her cortical node to adapt to the changes."
"B'Elanna, I've been meaning to sit down and talk with you about this. I wanted to make sure you were really okay with performing this procedure," the Captain gently inquired.
As the two headed back toward the holodeck, B'Elanna thought about her answer. "The Doctor gave me some good advice last night. He told me to focus on my love for Seven, rather than on my fear of what might happen. It worked. I felt very comfortable during today's simulations. I can do this, Captain. And at this point, I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it."
Janeway reached out to rest a hand on Torres' shoulder. "Somehow I don't think Seven would, either," she chuckled.
B'Elanna smiled in response, nodding her agreement.
"I understand you all had an emotional evening yesterday," stated the Captain.
B'Elanna flashed Janeway a smug grin. "Yep. We bonded. All of us." Then in a voice soft with wonder, she continued, "I was already in love with all of them, Kathryn. Seven, Icheb, Azan, Rebi, and Mizoti. I mean, hat over boots in love. Then I walked into Astrometrics, and they were all on the floor searching for constellations in some strange starfield, learning how to use their imaginations. Jesus, Kathryn! How could I NOT fall in love all over again? Then we talked about how much I loved Seven, how much I loved them, how much Seven loved them, but couldn't show it, and vice versa. You know what I mean? They're just so damn beautiful. All of them. And they're mine," she finished in a whisper.
Janeway pulled B'Elanna into a big hug. "I'm so happy for you, B'Elanna. You deserve this. And they deserve you. So let's get this 'inhibitor' stuff out of the way, so you can go get yourself a family. Deal?" When B'Elanna gave a watery chuckle and nodded her head, they went off to discuss the surgery with the Doctor.
It was two hours later when B'Elanna ended her duty shift. As she was walking to her quarters, rubbing her swollen stomach, she stopped. Realizing that she had a date with four Borg children in less than two hours, B'Elanna began to panic. What am I gonna do with four children? Four Borg children? Aloud she said, "I am in so much trouble." Slapping her forehead, she entered her quarters.
NOTE: yIQongchu' is Klingon for "sleep well"
To be continued....