"Are you sure, Seven? You don't have to do this if you don't want to." The Doctor's pleading eyes, however, told a different story. She found them impossible to resist.

"I want to make you happy," she said. "Only … please be careful."

"I will. It'll be nothing like last time, I promise."

"I trust you."

"My darling." He stroked her hand. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

She pulled him close, looked deep into his eyes … and sank her assimilation tubules into his mobile emitter to upload his program.

"Computer? One slice of Black Forest Cherry Cake."