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The Ice
Queen
A J/7 Advent
Calendar Story 2008 by Gun Brooke
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Gun
Door 18
Seven felt as out of place, and bewildered, as she had that
day in the brig three years ago when Kathryn had severed her
from the Borg Collective. She had stood there, gasping for
air and so angry, so afraid, she couldn’t think straight.
She had missed the other Borg voices, and she’d lost the
only home she remembered…and Kathryn had more or less forced
her to face her lost humanity, and regain it.
Now Seven was outwardly more composed, she was a little
breathless, but she carefully hid the rampaging emotions and
clasped her hands behind her back.
“Aren’t you cold?” Kathryn asked, hands on her hips. Seven
wondered if Kathryn knew what a telltale sign that was. She
usually assumed that stance when she was either defiant, or
unsure.
“No. My core temperature is thirty-seven point six degrees
Celsius, as always.”
“I’m a bit cold.” Kathryn shrugged. “That darn human
frailty.”
“It is only normal for a human without a cortical implant to
freeze in subzero temperatures.” Seven wanted to offer the
comfort of shared bodily warmth, but was uncertain if that
was within the boundaries between her and her captain…her
Kathryn? Feeling her cheeks warm, Seven decided she could
not witness this woman being cold, or in pain, or any such
discomfort, without acting. “Kathryn. I can help you elevate
your temperature.”
“What?” Kathryn blinked and her hands slid off her slight
hips.
“I do not wish for you to be cold.”
“Oh, Seven, I’m not that cold.” Kathryn smiled and
tucked her hair behind her left ear. “Just a little.”
“I see.”
“But we might as well get ready for bed. I think this place
has everything sorted for us, it’s quite luxurious despite
its unusual business idea.”
“Indeed.”
“So…” Kathryn gestured toward the bed. “We better get some
sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, with
repairs.”
“And I have obligations toward Tilde and Lars.”
“I realize you made promises when you thought you may be
stuck in this century…”
“A promise is still valid, no matter why it’s given.” Seven
frowned, not wanting Kathryn to misunderstand. “They took me
in, almost like family.”
“We’re your family.” It was Kathryn’s turn to frown. “You
belong with us.”
“I do.” Seven thought she heard a mix of panic and pain in
Kathryn’s voice. Had she been as fearful of never seeing
Seven again as she had been of losing Kathryn forever? “I
belong with you,” Seven said softly. “I am fully aware where
my duties lie and to whom my heart belongs.”
Kathryn stared at her with darkening eyes. “You do?”
“And so do you, I think.” Seven held her breath as Kathryn
stepped well within her personal space.
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