Hero by H.W.

Seven sighed. "This is getting quite annoying."

B'Elanna swallowed the last of her food. "What is?"

As answer Seven merely handed B'Elanna the PADD with personal messages that she had been reading.

Not above some snooping around, now that it was allowed, B'Elanna eagerly took the PADD. After a moment she looked at the blonde a little surprised, not really sure what the problem was. "This is a message from McMinn, asking you if he may escort you to the party tonight. What's the annoying part? Is he bothering you? He is one of my Engineers, and he seems like a good man."

"No, he is not bothering me, that is not the annoying part."

"Then what is?" B'Elanna asked.

Seven merely sighed once more. "Look at the last twenty-eight messages."

B'Elanna did so, and message after message her eyebrows traveled a little higher. "They are all asking you to the party?!"

B'Elanna wasn't sure what to make of the fact that at least half of the twenty-eight men had asked her to the party as well. Should she be insulted since the date stamps told her that they asked Seven before they had asked her, and therefore she could consider them asking her as them seeing her as the second choice. Or should she feel flattered to be asked right after such a beautiful woman as Seven was. Eventually she decided to ignore it and concentrate on her conversation with Seven.

"Why don't you just pick one of them? That way you can tell the rest you already got someone and they'll back off," B'Elanna said before grinning. "I'm glad you showed me this list though, now I can tease Tom, Harry and Chakotay about the fact that they asked you before they asked me."

"Under different circumstances your suggestion would resolve the problem. For any other party it would. But as you know, this is a valentine's party. I have researched the custom and if I were to take one of those people to the party, it would be seen as me showing an interest in that person. That even though we are not involved, I favor him above others."

"You got a point," B'Elanna had to agree. "Which means that you should just go alone. That would show that you are not interested in any of them."

"Once again, that would have worked if the situation was different." Seven shook her head slightly. "The problem is that now that they have asked me, several of them will think that since they have already shown an interest in me, they might as well continue to try to get closer to me."

"Then tell them to piss off," B'Elanna suggested with a grin. "After all, as you like to say; 'you are Borg.' You have being blunt down to an art form."

"I could have done that several months ago, but not now. After I almost died, a lot of those people realized that they had almost missed a chance to get to know me as a friend. Most have rectified that problem. I now call most of those people friends, be it on different levels of closeness. I do not want to be rude to my friends."

"Are you done with that?" B'Elanna asked, pointing to Seven's half eaten plate of food.

"Yes. And yes, you may have it."

B'Elanna happily took the plate. "Thanks, I really love this stuff. I got to tell you, this replicator pattern is one of the only two good things that came from Duron 6."

"Indeed," Seven agree. She knew only too well what the second part was; the close friendship between her and the Klingon.

They had gone on that mission together hating each other's guts, and they had left the planet being as close as friends as they could be. Buron 6 had been a hard place. Their shuttle had crashed in a place ruled by rebels, and it had taken Voyager over a week to find them. The rebels, knowing that the knowledge these two strangers possessed could turn the fight in their favor, had hunted Seven and B'Elanna down ruthlessly. Seven had been wounded in the shuttle crash, and it had been B'Elanna who had ended up protecting the blonde. Fighting off bands of rebels... killing to keep Seven safe.

When Voyager had finally found them, Seven had been mere hours from death due to her injuries. The Doctor had told them that he didn't think that she would have survived another day. But the constant fighting with the rebels had not been easy on B'Elanna either. Though not critically wounded, she too had to spend several days in sickbay to recover.

But despite the hardship they had faced, neither of the women would take it away if they could. They had found a friend so close that they seemed a part of the other.

"You could make some kind of statement," B'Elanna offered, once the second plate was empty as well.

"Statement?" Seven asked confused. "You mean like a ship wide announcement that I do not want to be romantically involved with any of the men that asked me to the party?"

B'Elanna laughed, just imagining hearing that message coming over the speakers. "Well, that would do the trick too. But no, I didn't mean that. What I meant is that you do something. Something that will make it clear to these men that they don't stand a chance with you. Knowing them, they will stand down then and leave you alone... even Tom... I think."

Seven nodded her head slightly, apparently liking the idea. "I thank you for your advice. I will take it under consideration. Who will you be accompanying to this valentine's day party?"

"No one. I didn't ask anyone, and declined the offers I got," B'Elanna said softly.

In fact, there was only one person who she would like to take to the party, and that person was sitting right across from her. But B'Elanna knew that this could never be. She like the friendship she had with Seven, and didn't want to risk anything that could mess that up. Besides, it would be on no use. Seven was very clearly only interested in men. The blonde had dated Harry for several months after all. Of course, B'Elanna was totally forgetting that she herself had dated Tom several months and still was sitting there harboring visions of showing up at the party with Seven on her arm.

B'Elanna was finally brought out of her musing by Seven's voice. "We should get back to work."

"Yeah, you're right. So, Seven, what kind of statement are you thinking of making. I saw how you liked that suggestion, you got an idea already?"

"I have," Seven agreed. "But you will find out with the rest."

"Spoil sport," B'Elanna fake pouted.

"Yes, but I am good at it."

Now B'Elanna laughed. "That you are, that you are."

***

Neelix was satisfied with how the party was going. Except for the needed skeletal crew, the entire crew had shown up. More importantly, almost everyone had showed up in pares. Even Captain Janeway had showed together with Commander Chakotay. Neelix wondered if that was a pairing of convenience, or if there was something brewing between those two. There were only three people that hadn't shown up with a partner. Tuvok, since he was married and felt it wrong to show up with anyone that wasn't his wife, and Seven and B'Elanna.

Neelix was a little surprised about those last two, since he knew for a fact that more than enough men had asked them. Thinking about it for a moment he mentally shrugged his shoulders. To be honest with himself, he was surprised that so many people had shown up as a couple, and he was even more surprised that Seven and B'Elanna had showed up at all.

When he saw Seven coming his way a small smile creped onto his lips, the blonde always had that effect on him. "Hey, Seven. Great party, don't you think?"

Seven decided not to voice her first reaction to that question. Instead she opted for a neutral, "It is acceptable."

From anyone else, Neelix would have been a little disappointed with that answer, but coming from Seven, he took it as a compliment. "So, can I do something for you? Need a drink?"

"Yes and no. No, I do not need a drink, yes there is something you can do for me."

***

B'Elanna had followed Seven when she went to Neelix, and now she was glad she had. She had heard what Seven was about to do, and she made sure to get a front row seat.

"Excuse me," Neelix said loudly, trying to get everyone's attention. "EXCUSE ME!" Hearing the shout, everyone turned to him and he had the silence he was looking for. "Um, right, thank you. Now, we got a little unplanned treat for you. With much delight I give the floor to Seven. Seven?"

Seven took a step forward, taking position not more than a body length away from B'Elanna."

Seven nodded to Neelix. "Thank you, mister Neelix." Then Seven turned to the rest of the crowd, her eyes finding those of B'Elanna for a moment before she moved her eyes over the rest of the people. "When we had a party last month to celebrate the captain's birthday..."

"I still maintain that it was not my birthday," Janeway interrupted jokingly.

"Your objection has been noted," Seven said with a smile. "At that party, I was... persuaded to sing after the Doctor had told about my singing voice. Some people asked for more after that one song. I promised to sing another song at the next party. Today I am keeping that promise. But this is more than that. Lately I have had a little problem, and I did not want to be rude to people I call my friends. A friend of mine suggested making some kind of statement. Something to get my point across but that would not hurt my friends. So I choose the following song. I know that thanks to Mister Neelix's... enthusiasm for this song, you all know the lyrics by heart. However, I would ask you to listen to the words anyway, I made some changes."

Seven nodded her head to Neelix who started the music. The soft sounds of a slowly playing piano filled the room, only to be drowned out for a moment by the audible groans coming from the crew. They knew the song alright. Neelix had found it in the database and liked it so much that he kept playing it over and over again at the captain's birthday. In the end some of the crew had threatened Neelix with the total deletion of the file if he played it one more time.

But then Seven began to sing, and when she reached the sixth worth, they all knew that Seven sure was making a statement alright. Because they all knew that in the original text, the words had clearly been 'good men.'

B'Elanna had been the only one that hadn't groaned. She absolutely loved to hear Seven's voice. Seven could have chosen to sing a Klingon drinking song and B'Elanna would have loved it. She simply loved everything about the woman.

Where have all the good girls gone
and where are all the gods?

Seven's voice sounded absolutely sensual to B'Elanna. The smoky quality gave such a deep feeling to the words. It sounded as is Seven truly had been wondering over that question for years. Then the changes in the text registered with B'Elanna. 'Good Girls?' B'Elanna could almost hear the breaking hearts of Seven's would be suitors. She could 'almost' hear the breaking hearts because her own hearts were howling with joy too loud to actually hear the breaking hearts.

Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?

Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?

Late at night I toss
and I turn
and I dream of what I need.

The other instruments joined in and the music got louder and faster, just like Seven's voice got stronger and louder.

I need a hero.
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night.

She's gotta be strong
and she's gotta be fast
And she's gotta be fresh from the fight.

I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light.

She's gotta be sure
and it's gotta be soon
And she's gotta be larger than life!

larger than life.

Now it was no longer possible to brush off the first words by it simply being a mistake. It was clear to all that Seven wasn't singing about wanting a man, like the original words of the song did. She was singing clearly about wanting a woman. Seven had clearly changed the gender of the hero she was looking for to that of a woman.

Seven was quiet for a moment while the music built even more and got yet a little faster. She looked across the room, making eye contact with several people.

Somewhere after midnight
in my wildest fantasy

Somewhere just beyond my reach
there's someone reaching back for me.

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat

Now Seven's eyes once more found those of B'Elanna.

It's gonna take a Supergirl to sweep me off my feet.

Seven used the instrumental break to move across the room a little, ending up in front of B'Elanna, looking down into her eyes.

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I could swear there is someone
somewhere
watching me.

B'Elanna felt a guilty twinkle in her gut when she heard those words because that had been exactly what she's been doing for the last couple of months; watching Seven while she regenerated. On the nights that Seven had to regenerate, B'Elanna slipped into the cargo bay to just look at the blonde for an hour or two. B'Elanna saw that little twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes. That little twinkle she loved to see there, and the Klingon wondered if Seven knew about her nightly visits. A little, hardly visible, wink told B'Elanna that Seven indeed knew. Then B'Elanna remembered that Seven had once told her that she had set up the sensor to log all people that had visited the cargo bay while she regenerated. Seven had been onboard for only a few months then and once B'Elanna knew that the Borg's changes weren't going to mess with her systems again, B'Elanna had promptly forgotten about it.

Seven turned away slightly, but kept looking at B'Elanna while she continued her song.

Through the wind
and the chill
and the rain

And the storm
and the flood

I can feel her approach like a fire in my blood.

B'Elanna could certainly relate to that. Right now, looking at the wonderful blonde, the fire was burning in B'Elanna's blood as well.

Seven used the next instrumental break to finally move away a little from B'Elanna and focus more on the rest of the crew... for the moment.

I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night.

She's gotta be strong
and she's gotta be fast
And she's gotta be fresh from the fight.

I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light.

She's gotta be sure
and it's gotta be soon
And she's gotta be larger than life.

I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night.

She's gotta be strong
and she's gotta be fast
And she's gotta be fresh from the fight.

The music slowed down again to the level in which the song started. Seven moved back to the spot where she had stood when the song began, once more singing softly, sensual, and in a voice filled with emotion.

I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light.

She's gotta be sure
and it's gotta be soon
And she's gotta love me for the rest of my life.

Seven's eyes once more found those of B'Elanna before she sang the last line of the song in nothing more then a whisper.

The rest of my life.

The room was quiet for a long moment before finally a defining applause and cheering filled the room.

Seven took a slight bow of thanks before giving them a smile. "Thank you."

"Alright," Neelix spoke up to get the attention off Seven, "Now it is time for a little snack, step right up to the counter for my latest mystery creation."

"Wow. That was just... wow Seven," B'Elanna said when the blonde joined her. She just couldn't find the word to express how she felt.

"Does that suffice as making a statement?" Seven asked with a smile.

"I'd say," B'Elanna agreed. "I doubt that any of those men will still try to court you. But you do realize that now you'll have every single woman on Voyager running after you?"

"Than I will have to decline their offers until the right woman comes along."

"So are you saying that you won't take any offer, male of female, until the right person asks you?"

"That is correct. I would not agree to be involved with anyone, unless the person with whom I want to be involved with asks me if I would want to be involved with her."

B'Elanna smiled and took hold of Seven's arm, steering her to the area where the drink were set up. "You know, you could make it a lot easier on yourself if you simply stepped up to the woman you want."

"I could," Seven agreed while taking the drink B'Elanna handed her. "But the problem is that the woman I am really interested in, the woman I love, is also a very good friend of mine. I do not want to loose that friendship, and that could happen if I am mistaking about how she feels for me."

"Seven, you can't always take the safe road. Sometimes you need to take a risk to find happiness in your life." B'Elanna drained her glass in a few nervous gulps and decided to take her own advice. "And talking about taking the plunge... Seven, I know this is kinda late since we are already at the party, but still. Would you give me the honor of being my date to the Valentine's party?"

"Are you asking me if you could be my escort to the party?" Seven asked, hoping that B'Elanna's answer would be no.

"No, I am asking if you would want to be my date, as in the first step in getting seriously involved."

"B'Elanna, I just told you that I would only get involved with the woman I love, and now you are asking me to get involved with you."

"I know," B'Elanna agreed, getting slightly nervous. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. But she wasn't about to beck down now. "You see, Seven, just like you, I would really like to get involved with the woman I love."

"And you want to get involved with me?"

"Yes." B'Elanna said softly.

"You love me?"

"Yes," B'Elanna breathed.

"Yes."

"Yes?" B'Elanna asked.

"Yes," Seven said. "Yes, I will be your date to the party."

B'Elanna gave Seven a wonderful smile. "Thank you." B'Elanna heard a soft slow song starting and she offered her hand to Seven. "Dance with me?"

"I... I do not know how to dance," Seven admitted, giving her hand to B'Elanna never the less.

"That's alright," B'Elanna grinned while she took hold of Seven's hand. "You see, with slow songs like this, dancing is really nothing more than standing close to each other and swaying a little to the music."

"In that case, I would love to dance with you."

When they reached the part of the room set out for dancing they were the only ones that actually were there to dance, so the rest gave them some respectable space.

"Hey Seven?" B'Elanna asked while she finally did what she wanted to do for months; take Seven into her arms.

"Yes?"

"You have a great singing voice, can I request a song from you every now and then?"

"Whenever you want," Seven assured while she put her head onto B'Elanna's shoulder.

"That was a great song, I think it fit us very well."

Seven smiled. "I saw how your eyes got wider when I was singing about someone watching me."

"Um, right, that. I think I have to explain that to you." When B'Elanna felt Seven taking a little tighter hold on her, she got a feeling that the explaining wouldn't be too hard.

"No you do not. It... makes me feel good to know that you watch over me while I regenerate. Promise me that you will never stop doing that."

B'Elanna was only too happy to do that. "I promise."

"You know, B'Elanna," Seven said softly, "I think I was the only one who did not object to Neelix playing that song so often with the last party. As soon as I heard it, it reminded me of you, one only had to change the gender and then the song fits you perfectly."

"It does?" B'Elanna asked surprised.

"Yes. You are strong, you can be fast, and you thrive on a fight. You are always sure of what you do, and you can be larger than life."

"So all I got to do is work on the being your hero part, huh?" B'Elanna asked with a smile, also putting her head on Seven's shoulder.

"B'Elanna, you already are my hero. You have been ever since you saved my life, many times over, on Duron 6."

B'Elanna wanted to reply, but all words left her when she felt soft lips placing an even softer kiss on her neck.

The slow song ended, end Seven's eyes searched out Neelix. Though they hadn't spoken about this, she hoped that she could convey her whishes to him. Apparently he got the hint and didn't start a new song.

Seven put her head back on B'Elanna's shoulder and a moment later the soft sounds of a clear voice could be heard through the room. Everyone knew that they were allowed to hear the tender love song, but they also knew that Seven was only singing for the person she was holding in her arms.

The end.

The original lyrics of the song as it was performed by Bonnie Tyler are:

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night toss and turn and dream of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
Larger than life

Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There's someone reaching back for me
Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
It's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I would swear that there's someone somewhere
Watching me

Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like the fire in my blood

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life