DISCLAIMER: It's Paramount's galaxy.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: C/7. AU where Seven makes an unexpected change as to the choice for her proposed first date during the episode "Someone to Watch Over Me" with interesting repercussions.

I've decided to try something different for me and write the five AUs from "Possibilities" simultaneously. I'll post the first chapter "teaser" for each over the next few days and then go from there (expanded from what was in the original). Reviews are always welcome.

#

SURPRISE DATE

Stardate 52649.3

"Seven, I need the data from those last two Astrometric scans," Ensign Kim said as he entered Astrometrics holding a data PADD. Instead of stopping where Seven stood, however, he walked right past to examine what was displayed on the Astrometrics main visual.

Ensign Kim's curiosity was a constant of the universe, Seven mused. "In a moment," she replied crisply not looking up. She was entering commands and examining something else on one of the rear consoles.

"That looks like the crew manifest," Kim remarked staring up at the main visual. A dozen or so names were displayed and scrolling.

Seven nodded and glanced over her shoulder at the screen. She was just completing the task. "The Doctor asked me to pick a suitable candidate."

Ensign Kim appeared confused and turned to face Seven. "For what?"

"Lesson ten. The first date."

"Your first date?" Kim responded. He appeared bemused and his incredulous tone irritated Seven. She decided to ignore this initial reaction. Her social lessons with the Doctor were proceeding adequately and she felt ready for this next step. In fact, perhaps Ensign Kim could be of assistance.

"I've narrowed the list to two crewmen, based on work performance and compatible interests."

"I didn't know you had any interests."

"Neither did I, but apparently they include astronomy, quantum mechanics and music."

"I play the clarinet, you know," Kim replied. Seven smiled inwardly. Ensign Kim had made his desires plain since soon after she first arrived. She had never reciprocated his interest. Although she felt she had a good working relationship with the ensign, she never considered it desirable to pursue anything further.

"You are not one of the candidates, Ensign," Seven replied. She picked up a PADD to control the main screen and stepped up onto the platform in front of Astrometrics.

"Oh," Kim said with obvious disappointment and then followed her in front of the main screen. "Well, maybe I could help you pick Mister Right," he suggested.

Given his responses so far, Seven was more dubious about the veracity of his assistance, but decided obtaining his opinion couldn't hurt. She tapped in the correct commands on the PADD and the first candidate's image appeared on the Astrometrics main screen. "Ensign Bronowski, assigned to the Airponics bay. His work record is flawless and he plays the accordion."

Kim grimaced. "Badly, very badly. He's got no sense of humor."

What does humor have to do with playing the accordion? Seven wondered. Besides, she was unconvinced about the need for her match to play a musical instrument. Seven nodded anyway and cycled the image to the next candidate. "Lieutenant Chapman, Structural Engineering."

"Chapman's a nice guy," Kim said noncommittal. He didn't sound particularly convinced, although appeared more amenable to this match over Ensign Bronowski.

"We worked together on an away mission. He seemed efficient." That was easy enough. Seven was about to make the final decision when she noticed the continued unsettled look on Ensign Kim's face. Was there something he disapproved of with Lieutenant Chapman? The selection had taken no time at all, perhaps there was time to show some other candidates.

"There was one other I considered having as a finalist," Seven offered and tapped in the commands to call up the image.

"Commander Chakotay?" Kim said with surprise.

"Yes," Seven replied, uncertain why the Commander would elicit such a strong response as compared to the other two.

"He has no musical talent," Kim protested. "The two of you have nothing in common."

"That is not true," Seven responded. "He also has an interest in astronomy." She looked back at the image and added, "He is easy to interact with and comes to Astrometrics every afternoon for the daily report. We already have a rapport of sorts. I estimate his other attributes compensate for a lack of musical abilities."

Kim was shaking his head, and again Seven was irritated. What was wrong with Commander Chakotay as a choice for a date? "No…" was all Kim eventually said.

"Clarify," Seven asked. She couldn't quite hide the displeasure in her voice.

"He's… what twenty years older than you?"

"Chronologically, twenty-one years, two months and thirteen days," Seven stated. "If you take into account my accelerated growth in the Borg maturation chamber, it is only an eleven year biological difference in age. That is irrelevant. There are countless examples in Federation and pre-Federation records of human couples with even larger age differences."

Kim shifted uncomfortably. "But… He's your commanding officer."

"Also irrelevant. I am not in Star Fleet, and technically neither is Commander Chakotay. Besides, Star Fleet regulations do allow for fraternization under certain circumstances, and I believe a relationship between myself and the Commander would fit within the allowable parameters." Seven looked back to Kim. "Is there anything else?"

Kim shrugged. "I don't know Seven. You and the Commander? I just don't see it."

For whatever reason, Ensign Kim's objections had the opposite effect. It solidified in Seven's mind even more the choice for her first date. Commander Chakotay was an intriguing individual. She touched the controls and the screen went blank. "Thank you Ensign. I've made my decision."

#

Commander Chakotay entered Astrometrics at his usual time. He liked to make the rounds to the various sections near the end of the day shift instead of receiving the reports via the comm. It was a daily ritual and he rarely deviated from his set schedule. Seven turned crisply, the PADD with her Astrometrics report already extended towards his outstretched hand.

"Anything unusual?" he asked with a smile. It was one of three greetings he typically used when nothing specific was going on, but not the most common. He would usually first ask a variant of how Seven was doing, and Seven would respond she was fine, and then he would follow with a more specific question or direction. With today's variant, he would eventually ask about her well-being. He was thoughtful in that way. Seven was prepared for any contingency.

"We are still monitoring the category two nebula discovered last week and did detect the possibility of a class-M planet orbiting one of the stars."

"That is unusual," Chakotay agreed.

"I thought so as well," Seven replied. She smiled to herself. They did share an interest in astronomy, after all. "My analysis, however, indicates a diversion from our course back to the Alpha Quadrant once we are finished with the Kadi trade agreement is unwarranted at this time. It's all covered in today's report."

"Is there something else we could do on our present projected course that would facilitate confirming your analysis?"

"Continued monitoring during the next week once we get back underway should clear things up."

Chakotay was glancing at the PADD and nodded. "I'll take a look and show your findings to the Captain when she gets back." He then looked up and added, "Everything else going okay with you?"

"I am doing fine, Commander. Thank you."

"Very good. Inform me immediately if there's a change in your analysis about that planet."

He was turning to leave when Seven interrupted him. She had decided their daily routine would offer the perfect opportunity to address the matter of arranging a mutual engagement. "Commander. A moment if you please."

Chakotay turned back. "Of course."

Seven stepped closer to Chakotay. "Your presence is … requested, tonight. Nineteen hundred hours. Holodeck two."

A mixture of curiosity and confusion crossed Chakotay's face. "What's going on? Is there another engineering simulation I wasn't told about?"

"Dinner," Seven replied.

Chakotay's expression changed subtly from uncertainty to one more of interest. "Are you asking me to join you for dinner?"

"That is correct. Specify your response."

Now Chakotay was smiling, but he seemed at a loss for something to say. Seven became alarmed he might raise similar objections as Ensign Kim about their difference in age or feel his position as First Officer would preclude such a relationship.

"Our relative age does not concern me," Seven stated.

"Oh?" That appeared to catch him by surprise. Seven pressed on.

"I have also consulted the appropriate Star Fleet regulations," she continued. "Fraternization is permissible when the superior officer in question has no direct influence on promotion and there is no actual or perceived opportunities for special treatment as compared to others in the chain of command. In our circumstances here on Voyager, that is clearly the case."

This elicited a broader smile and perhaps even a subdued laugh. Seven decided she successfully defused the impasse or possibly misinterpreted Commander Chakotay's original expression all together. "Sounds like fun," he finally said.

"So your answer is in the affirmative?"

"See you in holodeck two."

"Very good," Seven replied, and then added, "Please be punctual."

Chakotay nodded. "See you then," he said and turned again to leave.

Seven nodded back satisfied as the doors slid shut behind him. That wasn't so bad. The Doctor's instructions and her own research indicated that asking someone out on a first date was often difficult and uncomfortable, but that seemed to go very efficiently. She returned to her Astrometrics station confident the upcoming dinner would go just as smoothly.