The BLTS Archive- Another Time
by LesaL. (Azlisa001@aol.com)

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Harry sat still dazed by the message to him from him.  Thoughts of the
past and the future swirled through his mind in confusion.  He was
brought back to the present by the swish of the Messhall doors.
Looking up he saw Seven of Nine stride toward him.

"Ensign Kim I have come to apologize."

His eyes widened in surprise, "Excuse me?"

She stood tall before him, studying him intently before replying, "I
said that I have come to apologize to you."

Craning his neck to look up at her Harry said, "Seven, before you tell
what your apologizing for, could you please sit down?"

The former drone appeared ready to argue her need to stand, but
thought better of it, gracefully sliding into a chair across from him.

"That's much better," Harry said, as they finally faced each other
across the table.  "Now tell me what your apologizing for."

Seven glanced down, unable to meet his eyes for a moment.  Finally,
she said, "While in the process of downloading your message to
yourself, I saw it.  I realize that it was a breach of protocol, but "

"That's all right Seven," Harry hastened to say.  "Your right, usually
your not supposed to see other people's messages, but the
circumstances were unusual."

"To say the least," Seven agreed.

Lean back in his chair, he asked cautiously, "So what did you think of
the future me?"

"He was damaged," his companion replied succinctly.

"What?"

"He was damaged," she replied again.  "His countenance and bearing
indicated to me that he had suffered a great deal in his last fifteen
years."

Harry nodded at her, surprised that she had seen that so clearly.  "I
hadn't realized that you've made such a study of human expression."

"I have not studied all humans," she replied, looking squarely into
his eyes.  "But I have spent enough time with you in the past year to
know when you are troubled, or happy, or embarrassed or "

"I get the point Seven, thanks," Harry said, holding up his hand.

"There was one other impression I received from the message," Seven
added.  "I detected a note of triumph.  Despite all that he had
obviously suffered, that he could go back and change what he had done
gave him great satisfaction."

"Yeah," Harry agreed.  "He seemed to have gone through so much, but
that he could finally erase his mistake, seemed to make it all worth
it."  He shook his head, and grinned at her, "I can't believe that I
saved Voyager."

"Why?" his companion asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked bewildered.

A look of determination came over her face as she said, "Why do you
doubt yourself?  You have proven your worth to this vessel on numerous
occasions.  If we had the time I could recite every instance.  And yet
you seem to be unable to believe that you are an asset."  Seven took a
breath, then continued, "It is a primarily human failing I have
observed among the crew to devalue a persons accomplishments.  I have
often been accused of arrogance when I am simply pointing out what I
am capable of doing.  Humans say that you should be modest about your
achievements.  Humility is considered a virtue."

Shaking her head slightly she continued, "Fifteen years in the future
you saved Voyager, that is a fact.  To use an idiomatic expression,
you should be tooting your own horn."

Harry faced her frozen in surprise.  "Thank you Seven," he finally
managed to say.  "I have been trying in the last few months to come
forward more."

"I have noticed the change in your demeanor," she observed.  "After
the celebratory party for the Slip Stream Drive, when you put forth
your ideas, your conviction was impressive.  I was moved."

"You were moved?"  Leaning forward Harry said wryly, "Are you sure it
just wasn't the champagne?"

Her lips curved delightfully as she leaned closer and replied, "Due to
the Doctor's diligence most of the side effects of the Synthahol were
removed by the time you put forth your arguments."

His wry smile turned into a devilish grin, "Most of the side effects?"

Seven studied him, they were separated by only inches.  She looked
into his eyes so different from the other Harry's.  The deep brown
eyes that regarded her were mischievous, yet at the same time were
tender and loving.  She came to a decision, standing up quickly she
walked away.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked in confusion.

"We require several items," she replied over her shoulder as she stood
at the replicator.  As quickly as she had left she returned carrying
two fluted glasses of champagne.  Handing one to him she returned to
her chair.

Grinning at her, he looked at the glass in surprise.  "Thank you
Seven, but what?"

"You saved Voyager," she pointed out again.  "I believe that is
sufficient cause for celebration?"

"I guess," he admitted, "But it wasn't really me," he winced as she
arched an eyebrow.  "Okay, it was me but,,," he faltered for a moment.
"Never mind.  Your right lets celebrate, I'd like to make a toast."
Raising his glass he tapped hers enjoying the musical ping.  "To the
future."

"That is appropriate," she nodded, sipping the bubbling, golden
liquid.  Looking over her glass into his eyes she smiled.

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The End