Disclaimer:  Star Trek: Voyager and its characters* belong to Paramount/Viacom, and we make not profit--except your feedback-- from writing this Fan Fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended.  This piece of Fan Fiction may not be sold but copied for personal use and must include all notices of copyright
 

*Allison and Amber are our characters.  Paramount has no rights to them.
 

This story has been written by me.  But the ideas are a mixture of mine and Nicole_15's so both of us get equal credit.  We would appreciate all feedback from you.  Enjoy!

The Borg collective voice: "A vessel has been detected.  Activate.  Alter course to intercept."  A borg drone emerges from its alcove.  The drone is Seven of Nine.  She walks through the cube, passing drone, after drone, until she reaches the console.  She enters a few commands.  Then the borg voice begins again "Vessel identified:  Federation Star fleet:  Intrepid Class:  283 life forms.  Prepare for assimilation."  the powerful voice echoed throughout the cube.
 

In the living quarters of the one of the star ships crew, a little girl--no more then 5 earth years of age--is pounding on her bedroom wall trying to escape, the door is locked making the child trapped.  She cries for her mother to come help.  But no one comes to the child's rescue.  Then behind her three drones beam onto the ship.  She tries to run away, and cries for someone to help.  It is no use, the drones corner the child.
 

The vision ends and another begins.
 

On the borg cube in the queen's 'chambers' the drones walk toward the central alcove.  Seven Of Nine is holding the child, but sets her down to the floor.  The little girl looks around.  "Where am I?"  she asks in a soft sweet voice.
 

The borg queen walks out from behind the central alcove.  "You are on a borg cube" the queen walks towards the child
extending her hand to the semi frighten girl.  "Don't worry child, we won't hurt you."
 

The girl hesitates, then takes the queen's hand.  "Where's my mommy?"
 

The queen answers with a smile then leads the child towards a computer console.
 

****
 

Back on Voyager in Captain Kathryn Janeways quarters, Kathryn walks out from the bathroom after taking her morning shower.  She walks out the door, heading towards the Mess Hall.  Walking through the empty quiet halls of her ship, she passes no one.  It won't be another few hours until the ship is full of life.  The only people who are awake are those who have night-shifts, and those who enjoying roaming the ship when they can't sleep, like Kathryn.
 

She arrives at her destination, and enters.  She walks directly to the replicator, replicating her usual coffee.  The weary captain turns to find a seat, but realizes she is not alone.  Sitting in the corner is Seven Of Nine; knees under her chin and starring out the window.  Kathryn sets across the room, quietly calling the young woman's name.  When the captain doesn't receive a response she calls the dazed Seven again, louder.  Still no response.  Finally she cries "SEVEN!" loud and sharp.
 

Seven jumps.
 

"Captain, I didn't hear you enter."
 

"I'm not surprised.  You looked a thousand light years away.  Deep in thought?"
 

"Correct"
 

"What were you thinking about?" Kathryn had an idea of what Seven was thinking about, it was obvious when Seven was reluctant to talk.  Kathryn knew Seven's past as a drone haunted her, and made her feel guilty.  This kept Seven at a distance from most of the Voyager crew, including Kathryn.  She could see Seven wanted to talk about it, not with Kathryn of course, but with someone who Seven knew didn't judge her, but understood her feelings.  Only another drone could be that person.
 

Kathryn noticed something strange; in Seven's hands was a glass.  The curious captain leaned forward to take a peek at the
glass' contents.  "Coffee?  When did you start drinking coffee?"
 

Seven looked down at the glass she had in her hands, she had forgotten all about it.  "You suggested I try it."
 

Kathryn was surprised.  "Glad you still take my advice. "she said with a grin.  "Now tell me Seven, what brings you to the Mess Hall at this hour?"
 

"I could ask you the same question."  It was a small attempt to deflect the question.
 

"I asked you first.  Trouble regenerating?"
 

Knowing that the captain was persistent, Seven knew it was best to answer the captain's questions, rather then be annoy by the constant repeating of questions.  She answered "I discontinued regenerating after an...unpleasant dream.  I came here as an attempt to forget the dream."
 

"Did it work?"  Kathryn of course knew the answer to the question but asked it any ways.
 

Seven sighed in response along with a quiet "no..."
 

"Want to talk about it?" again Kathryn asking a question she knew the answer to.
 

"No!" Seven used the tone in her voice that all crew members knew, the tone which met it was impossible to get her to  open up.  But Kathryn's experiences on Voyager--and Seven even said it once before--made her believe nothing was impossible.
 

So the determined captain went after answers.  "Seven, it sometimes help when you talk about these things."
 

"No, it does not.  Verbal communication will not change it!"
 

With that statement Kathryn knew Seven was speaking of a borg experience.  Kathryn, unsure what to do placed her hand on Seven's shoulder as a sign of compassion.  But when her hand came in contact with Seven it sent visions through Seven's mind once again.
 

Images of drones, borg cubes, planets, and the child she had seen in her previous visions.  The vision of the girl became clear, as if the incident had just occurred the day before.  Only this time the vision didn't end after picking up the girl; after having hold of the little girl, the doors to the room opened.  Kathryn Janeway--about 12 years younger--runs in the room!  Seeing the borg she pulls out a phaser, and fires it at the drone Seven holding the child.  The phaser shot is blocked by borg shielding.  Kathryn runs after the drones, calling the child's name "Allison!!"

The child reaches out crying to Kathryn "Mommy!"  But the borg are transported off the ship, and the young Kathryn is left alone.
 

****
 

Back in the Mess Hall; Kathryn is trying to wake Seven from her dazed state.  She yells Seven's name several times.  Finally Seven blinks, and brings her hand to her head.  Realizing where she is, and who is with her, she sharply, turns her head to look at Kathryn.  Face filled with fear and misunderstanding, she stares at Kathryn.
 

"Seven, don't ever do that again!  You scared me half to death!"  the relief on Kathryn's face was washed away after noticing the look in Seven's eyes.  "Seven, what's wrong?"
 

Seven, shocked at what she had seen, couldn't answer.  Overwhelmed with the thought that she assimilated the captain's daughter.  Kathryn was the best friend Seven had, she cared about Seven, she was Seven's mentor.  The thought that Seven assimilated her friend's child, physically put Seven in pain.  As for mentally 'What have I done?' was all Seven could think.  The guilt took her over paralyzing her.
 

"That's it I'm calling The Doctor."  but before Kathryn could do so Seven spoke.
 

"Allison" she said softly.
 

Kathryn's eyes opened wide, and she almost fell from the seat in which she sat.  "Wha...what did you say?"
 

"Your daughter, her name was Allison, correct?"
 

"Seven...how do you know that?"  Kathryn was now standing over Seven.  Unknowing how to react she grabbed the younger woman's shoulders and began shaking her.  "How did you know that?"
 

Again, the contact with Kathryn sent flash-backs through Seven's mind.  This time they took her over, the young woman started to sway back, then she fell to the floor unconscious.   Kathryn immediately called The Doctor and Seven was taken to sick bay.
 
 

****
 
 

"Her condition isn't life threatening, but it is serious."  The Doctor explained to Kathryn and Chakotay, after he scanned Seven.
 

"How serious, Doctor?" Chakotay asked in a concerned tone.
 

"Well, there is too much going on in her mind, too much activity to be let her function, so her body shut down.  Like I said it isn't life threatening, but she will remain unconscious like while such activity takes place."  The Doctor told as he punched in a few commands on the computer console beside the bed which Seven was lying on.
 

"What can we do to help."  asked the ever so worried captain.
 

"Nothing....nothing but wait Captain."  he answered with little enthusiasm.
 

Kathryn turned to her first officer, "can you take the bridge?  I'd really like to stay with Seven."  Chakotay nodded then exited sick bay.
 

****
 

For the next few days Kathryn stayed by Seven's bed side, acting as a worried mother.  She read book after book, until she could no longer read.  She found herself talking to Seven on many occasions; regarding what Chaoktay reported to Kathryn.  Kathryn also found herself asking how Seven could know about Allison.  Although constantly on her mind Kathryn never spoke of the child she lost so many years ago.  There was only one person on the ship that even knew about her daughter and that was Tuvok, but she knew he would never have spoken to anyone about it.
 

On Kathryn's sixth day of Seven sitting, (as the crew called it) Kathryn found herself thinking about Allison.  She remembered how she had found out she was pregnant 18 years ago, after her sister had pulled Kathryn from the depression she was in after the loss of her father and her fiancée, Justin Tighe, who was also Allison's father.  The news brought the young Kathryn a happiness she thought she would never feel again.  She believed that a child would help fill the gaps in her heart left by the death of two people who ment so much to her.  And so the little girl did.  Allison had traces of both her father and grandfather in her, she had Justin's eyes and her grandfathers warm smile.  She looked a great deal like Kathryn did when she was a child, and acted much the same way.
 

Kathryn would take her daughter to the parks on Earth, Allison's favorite was one that was just a few blocks from their home.  Allison was paticualry fond of the swings; Kathryn would push her on the swing set at the park for hours on end.  Until one day Allison figured if she swung her legs with the swing, she could control how high she went.  After her daughter no longer needed her to push the swing, Kathryn would swing on the swing beside Allison, they would have competitions to see who could go highest.  Kathryn never won of course.
 

When the two weren't at the playground, they were doing other activities together.  Kathryn was never to busy for her daughter, she would leave any work she had until after she read a story to Allison and tucked her into bed.  That all changed when Kathryn got her fist assignment as a star ship captain; she tried desperately to be home for her daughter, but she was finding it more and more difficult to do.  She was always needed on the bridge, and rarely could make it home before Allison did.  So Kathryn felt forced to hire a nanny, to be in the living quarters with Allison until Kathryn got off her shift.  Kathryn had difficulty finding someone who would take the job but eventually she found a relatively young human woman who would take on the task.  Her name was Amber, she was strict, mean, and her rules were unfair.  Despite Allison's objections Kathryn had no choice but to stick with Amber.
 

Thoughts of Amber lead Kathryn to thinking of the day she lost her daughter.  Kathryn found she had suppressed the memories of that day for a long while, not to say she couldn't remember it, it was actually burned into Kathryn's memory, she couldn't not bring herself to think of it.  It was difficult, but she let go and started remembering it:
 

It commenced like any other day.  Kathryn and Allison sat at the breakfast table, enjoying the others company and the meal.  Actually Allison wasn't eating--she rarely did--she was always caught up telling her mother stories of what happened the day before.  After they finished breakfast they would get dressed.  On this particular morning Allison insisted that she be able to dress herself, with no help from her mother.  Kathryn naturally didn't argue with her, Allison was as--if not, more-- stubborn, than her mother.  The young star ship captain came out from her room, in her uniform, then sat in a chair, with a coffee and a PADD in her hands.  While reading over the report she heard a thump coming from her daughter's room.
 

"Ally?  Everything all right?" Kathryn asked as she walked to the door to Allison's room.
 

"Fine, Mommy!" she called back.
 

Kathryn opened the door to see her daughter on the floor, struggling with her shirt.  Allison had managed to get her head stuck in the shirt sleeve.  Kathryn smiled at such a sight.
 

"Need a hand?" Kathryn asked as she watched the poor girl squirm.
 

"No...I can do it!"
 

Allison squirmed and squirmed but she couldn't get that shirt over her heard.  Kathryn offered to help.  Again she refused.  After while she finally got it right.  She sat up and gave her mother a proud smile.
 

"See told you I could do it!"
 

"I knew you could."  Kathryn walked over the where her daughter was standing, she knelt down to Allison's eye level and whispered in her ear "your pants are on backwards."
 

Shocked and embarrassed Allison quickly looked down to her pants.  Then she looked back at her mother "No they're not!"
 

"I know, just teasing you." Kathryn flashed a warm smile to show how proud she was of her growing girl.  "Uh oh, time to get you off to school"  she said leading Allison out of her room.
 

"Aww can't we spend the day together mommy?" she whinnied.
 

"Now, Ally you know I am captain of a ship, I can's just not show up.  I have a lot of responsibilities"
 

"But we never get to spend time together anymore!"  Allison said as she gave her sad, pathetic face that she knew her mother would give into.
 

Kathryn stood for a moment, she hated it when Allison used that face, it was so hard to say no to Allison at anytime, and when she gave that look to Kathryn, it was almost certain Allison would get her way.  "Look, I have a short duty shift this afternoon, I should get back before you get home from school, so how about we try out that playground program I had made?"
 

Allison's face lit up with delight "Really?!?"
 

"Yeah, and you better watch out or I'll be taking the 'Champion of the Swings' title from you!"
 

"In your dreams!"  Allison answer giggling.
 

"Oh ya?"  Kathryn turned and began tickling the young girl.  Allison burst out with laughter, and she tried to get away.
 

Kathryn stopped, took Allison's hand and lead her to the door.  "Have a good day at school, I'll see you tonight"  she said.
 

Allison jumped up into Kathryn's arms, wrapped her small arms around Kathryn, giving the biggest hug, "I love you Mommy." she said.
 

"Love you too, dear" Kathryn replied as she put her daughter on the ground.  "Now get to school before you're late."
 

Allison ran down to the end of the hall.  She then stopped, turned around and yelled "see you on the holodeck after school Mommy!"
 

Kathryn nodded in response and watched as Allison disappeared around the corner.  Kathryn walked back into her living quarters and she picked up the PADD she had before and began reading it again.
 

****
 

The memories began to fade and Kathryn found herself in Voyager's sick bay.
 

"If I had known that was the last time I would ever get to hold you I wouldn't have let go"  Kathryn said out loud to the empty sick bay.
 

Her thoughts were interrupted by Chakotay's voice over the COMM.  "Captain to the bridge."
 

"On my way Commander"  she said then walked quickly out of sickbay knowing there must be some emergency for she told Chakotay not to disturb her unless it was absolutely necessary.
 

****
 

As Kathryn emerged onto the bridge Voyager shook.
 

"Report"  she called.
 

"5 Hirogen ships are converging on our position.  They came out of nowhere!"  Tom cried out from the helm.
 

"Hail them!"  Kathryn ordered.
 

Harry punched in commands on his console, "no response, Captain."  he reported.
 

"Why doesn't that surprise me?  Return fire, evasive maneuvers"  she managed to call out as she held onto her captains chair, while Voyager continued to rock.
 

Voyager and the Hirogen ships continued firing on each other for several minutes more, but it was a useless battle for Voyager, they were out numbered.  Voyager's shields failed, they managed to destroy one of the hirogen's ships, before they were boarded.

 
The battle was over and Voyager lost.