Seven of Nine - Christie Golden [47]
She carefully considered the question. "I am well," she said finally.
It was true enough. She hadn't felt this calm since the whole ordeal began. Now, if the fifteen black birds would only go away, she thought she could safely say that she was cured. The memories were floating back. Now she remembered that she had never had a particular fondness for Neelix's version of nutritional supplements and sat down at the table with a sense of trepidation.
"Seven," said Harry, still standing, "I've got to get back to my post.
Are you-will you be okay?"
"Yes," she stated. "I will report to the Doctor after I have ingested my nutritional supplements. He has indicated that my brain has recovered sufficiently for him to attempt neural stimuli without risk of damage."
He smiled a little. "Yeah, you're going to be okay."
He hesitated, seemed about to say something else, then left abruptly.
Neelix returned, his whiskers drooping with dismay. "Ensign Kim had to leave? What a pity. I've quite the gustatory experience lined up here today! All righty, we have tekkaberry muffins, fresh hot vegetable soup just loaded with nutrients," and here he winked at her, "and for dessert-your favorite. Chocolate cake!"
He lifted the napkin off the plate with a flourish.
Seven noted the food items he had mentioned and something else-a small bowl of what looked to be seeds. She raised a questioning eyebrow.
"The birdseed is for your little friends," said Neelix.
Heat rushed over her and she felt the blood rise in her cheeks. "You are mocking me," she accused, her voice icy with indignation.
"Oh, no!" Neelix sat down in the chair beside her.
"Not at all."
"Then you are humoring me. The birds do not exist," Seven continued.
"Do not pretend that they do."
"But they do exist-in your mind," replied Neelix, tapping his mottled temple. "If you can see them, then they do have a reality-of a sort.
The Doctor has said that he thinks these birds are an aspect of your subconscious trying to reassert itself, to tell you something. Have they told you anything yet, Seven?"
"No," she admitted.
"Maybe you need to be nice to them. Take care of them. Let them know they're important and that whatever they have to say, you're ready to listen. You know and I know that imaginary birds can't eat birdseed."
"Ravens need more than seeds for a balanced diet.
They feed on small mammals, fruits, carrion-" "Seven, Seven," interrupted Neelix, lifting his hands in gentle protest, "you're missing the point.
Offer the birdseed as a gesture. That's all. You don't have to worry about feeding them a balanced diet."
She stared at the seeds in annoyance. "You sound like Commander Chakotay."
"Do I?" The little Talaxian sat up straighter. "Well!
That's qxte a compliment. Thank you!" He rose, beaming at her. "If you don't want to take me up on my suggestions, then just leave the seeds. I won't be offended." He bounced off, whistling cheerily.
Seven watched him go. Various emotions warred within her. The seed idea was childish. Foolish. And yet, she had to admit it made a certain amount of sense. But she was angry about it nonetheless.
She dove into her food with more duty than enthusiasm, chewing the muffins with their too-tart berries and spooning up soup crowded with unidentifiable vegetables. She saved the cake for last. The innocuous slice of pastry made her nervous. Chocolate cake was Annika's treat, not Seven's. She was tempted to just leave it and the birdseed, to let Neelix know what she, Seven of Nine, thought of his gestures.
But then she remembered the sweetness of the cake, the wonderful hit of chocolate on her tongue. Her heart beating rapidly, she carefully cut a piece with her fork and brought it to her lips. The sweet, sugary