Visitors 4

"Here you go. Two tops, three skirts and one costume." The man who worked at the dry cleaners handed over the plastic wrapped clothing. "Sure is some costume..." He let the sentence trail off, as if inviting a comment.

"Uh, yeah.. My friend’s a Star Trek buff. Go figure." I half shrugged and handed him my claim stub.

"I must say, I’ve never seen material like that. Where.. uh.. Where’d you get it?" He pressed further.

"Like I said, its my friends costume. No clue where she bought it." I turned for the door. Maybe I could get outside before he could figure another question.

"I’d sure be interested in finding out where. I ain’t never seen no material like that. No siree." He was shaking his head as I threw a quick smile over my shoulder and dashed for freedom.

Like I could explain that one. *Well, you see, its from another time and dimension. A TV show came to life in my girlfriends room. It was the damndest thing.*

After hanging the clothes off the hook in the back seat of my car, I jumped in front and headed back toward Buffy’s. All around me, children clustered the streets as night started to fall. It was Halloween, and the hunt for cavities was on.

As for my little group, Buffy’d told me that Halloween was actually the slowest day of the year, barring an incident or two. So, after much discussion, we decided that it would be safe to hit the Bronze with our houseguest. She was easily explained as an old friend of Buffy’s, who happened to look exactly like Seven of Nine and.. well, talk and act like her too. The best look-alike anyone had ever seen. Yeah, that’s likely.

I just hopped the Scooby Gang would let it pass that easily.

I pulled up in front of the house, grabbed the clothes and dashed up the walkway. I still had to get my costume on. Not like it would take much. Pushing open the door I hollered a quick hello.

"Seven, your uniform’s on the front table, Buffy, I’m going to get ready. I’ll be down as fast as I can." I started up the stairs, colliding hard with the body coming down that had totally missed my attention. Imagine that. Fortunately, she was stronger than I, and we didn’t fall forward or back, though it was a really close call in my case.

Seven quickly grabbed my shoulder pulling me back onto my feet, which happened to be the step below her. Which led to my face between her breasts. I quickly stepped down, but that made it worse. Now I was level with her.. I pulled my eyes back up to her face, trying hard not to acknowledge the blush on my cheeks.

"Um, oops." I laughed. "Sorry, didn’t see you."

"The fault is mine, I thought you had." Seven tried a smile of her own. It wasn’t the most natural looking, but it was stunning in its honesty.

She was wearing one of Buffy’s white shirts, barely, and a pair of her mom’s jeans while she was waiting for her uniform. She looked quite good in them, very.. well.. Normal. For a woman with implants on her face. But, oddly enough, those just enhanced her beauty, instead of taking away from it.

I eased past her on my way up the stairs, trying very hard not to focus on the body I brushed lightly against. "That’s ok. I think we’ll both live. Your uniform is on the table. You can change whenever you want."

She nodded. "Thank you. I think I shall wait a while. I find these clothes very acceptable. Less confining than my uniform."

I couldn’t stop my eyes from darting to her chest where material strove madly to cover flesh. Somehow I found that comment difficult to believe. ‘God Alex, must you turn everything to sex?’ I ignored the little voice and smiled again. "Hey, they’re yours. I, however, am going to need some time to get ready. Any idea where Buffy is?"

"I believe she’s upstairs as well. Getting into her… costume." Seven called up after me as I trotted up the stairs and went down the hall.

Pushing open the door to Buffy’s room, I was greeted by a very interesting sight. One Slayer, sans anything save a black pushup bra and a black g-string. And I had the rear view.

I snickered and wolf whistled. "Hey baby. You lookin for a good time?" I moved to the closet and hung up the rest of the dry cleaning.

Buffy laughed and turned around. "You offerin to give me one?" Her eyebrow quirked.

I sauntered over to her. "If you think you can handle it."

"Try me."

I bent to kiss her. "Gladly." I brushed a chaste kiss across her lips. "But not now." I darted out of the way as she swung at my arm. "Hey, gotta get myself ready for tonight. I start that good time, and who knows how late we’ll be."

I struggled out of my clothes to her own running commentary. "Yeah yeah, I know. Now where’s my.. Oh, there it is." I reached over and grabbed a matching bra and panty set off the bed, pulling them on quickly. And ducked as a pair of cut off shorts flew at my head. "Hey!"

"Sorry, couldn’t resist." She winked at me as she pulled on her pair. "One of those things, you know?"

"Yeah, I’ll show you one of those things...." I muttered as I pulled on a black tank top that didn’t do much to cover anything. I noticed one started wearing them the more you started to hang out with Buffy. It was like a dress code.

Buffy finished getting dressed and we stood side by side.

Dressed identically in shorts that barely served their purpose, black tank tops that continued that trend, soon to be followed by black boots and leather jackets. With no clue what the theme for our coordination effort was, we settled on "Hellmouth Sluts" if anyone asked.

All that we had left to do was apply our make-up. Which was basically red lipstick and black eye shadow. We believed in simplicity.

Finally, all the finishing touches were done and we trouped downstairs. Seven was waiting in the living room, her uniform on, watching TV. She was adapting well to living here, even in such a short time. I even thought she was becoming even more human, faster, than she ever had on ‘Voyager.’

"What do you think?" Buffy asked as we stopped in the doorway, posing for the full effect. My arm was draped around her shoulders, while hers looped around my waist, legs slightly parted.

"Very...

*

... interesting." Seven struggled to come up with the right phrase. The two girls in front of her were dressed, if you could call it that, in very provocative clothing. At least as far as she understood the term. A style that was meant to invoke feelings of lust and desire. And from her inner reactions, they succeeded. Once more she felt that flutter inside her stomach. But this time, she was able to identify it.

When the girls had finally come down the morning of the dream, she had her list of questions ready. She informed them that she had heard them once more, and gone downstairs so as not to disturb them. She also described the feelings that had arisen in her. The girls had gotten very red in the face, shifting uncomfortably in their seats, but answered her questions the best they could.

Now Seven knew that she had felt desire that morning. That she was attracted to them. And that she wished them to show her what it was they did in the bedroom. But she also understood that they were together. A couple. And as she understood the way that worked, they would mate with only each other. And on more levels than she thought, it disturbed her.

She wanted more than just the physical experience. Seeing how close they were, how much in love.. Seven felt a slight pain, an empty feeling inside her. Or.. did she? She frowned slightly. There was a feeling.. Something strange… Suddenly an image of Captain Janeway appeared in her mind. Now that was odd. Why had she thought of the Captain?

"Good. Works for me." Alex looked over at Buffy. "How about you?"

"Interesting is good." Buffy nodded. "Shall we go then?"

The girls grabbed their keys and headed out the door. Seven followed, still puzzled about her thoughts.

*

I walked into the Broze, Buffy at my side, Seven trailing behind us. I hoped she was prepared for the sights and sounds that greeted her. It was a madhouse. Pirates conversed with aliens. Ghosts capered with MiB. I turned to see how she was doing. Her eyes were wide, taking it all in. I didn’t see fear, merely.. Interest. As if she were filing it all away to examine later and apply to becoming more human.

The music was loud, my body starting to move to the beat on its own. I waved to a group of friends on the dance floor and followed Buffy over to the side of the large room. I continued to find the rhythm, brushing lightly against Buffy’s side. Seven stopped slightly behind us, her gaze darting around the room. The lights flashed off her implants and I could see the jaws dropped around us. People were trying to figure out if they knew who was what had to be a look a like, and why they had never noticed the resemblance before.

Buffy moved beside me as she looked for the rest of the group. Even without looking, I knew she was matching me sway for sway. We always seemed to be in perfect synch. I turned to Seven.

"You doing ok?"

She nodded. "I am…

*

…fine."

Her brain was working at peak efficiency. Every little nuance of behavior was being filed away for later examination. She would study them even as she tried to adapt them for her own working knowledge. Her companions appeared to be "dancing" together, though she had yet to notice them even look at each other. She also noticed the stares in her direction and suppressed an uncharacteristic grimace. Undoubtedly it was caused by her uniform and the fact that most of them had seen her on that "TV show." Normally such scrutiny would not bother her, but tonight she wished only to observe. Not be observed.

Most of the individuals in the room seemed to be dancing or talking. A few were consuming food and drinks. She set herself to studying how people danced. There were a wide variety of forms being performed. Most of them she dismissed as inefficient. The energy expenditure wasn’t worth it. But there were a few moves that she found herself watching closely. They were slow, deliberate. And seemed to involve a great deal of body contact with ones partner.

Alex spoke up. "Think you want anything to drink? I can go get something light for you…"

Seven shook her head. "No. I do not require substance at this time. I find this.. party.. interesting." She nodded toward the dance floor. "Is this the main activity at these functions?"

"Usually. But then, this is a dance club. Its where all the kids hang out."

"Oh!" Buffy started waving frantically. "Its the gang. Excuse me a second.." Without waiting for a response she eased through the crowd in front of her. Only Seven’s greater height allowed her to watch the blonde’s progress. She watched with interest as Buffy was greeted by a group of four people. Most of whom continued to stare at Seven in shock. She noticed a resigned look on Buffy’s face as she started to speak rapidly. Seven deducted that Buffy was telling of the past week. The group started moving closer.

"I believe.. ‘my cover is blown.’" Seven said to Alex. She hoped she used the phrase correctly. She had heard it on a late night movie about policemen.

Alex started to ask a question when the group reached them. The first one through the crowd was Buffy and she shrugged apologetically.

"Xander, Willow, Cordelia, Oz.. This is.. Seven." She pointed at each one as she spoke their names. "Seven, the gang."

The one called Xander was staring. Hard. Seven arched her brow at him, but directed her words to the entire group. "Hello… Pleasure to meet you." The words still did not fit well on her tongue. The Doctor would be pleased that she remembered, however.

Oz nodded his hello to her. "Cool."

Willow half started to reach out her hand for shaking before drawing it back. "Oh.. I suppose you don’t.. I mean.. Hi." She blushed faintly and Oz put an arm around her shoulder.

Cordelia merely looked her up and down before turning to Xander. "Stop drooling." She pinched his side.

"Ouch! I wasn’t drooling. Merely…"

"Whatever, Xander. Just 'merely' somewhere else."

Alex spoke up. "So, what’re the…

*

… plans for tonight?"

"I’m Dance Girl!" Buffy had yet to stop moving.

I chuckled. "Somehow that doesn’t surprise me."

The rest of the Scooby Gang shrugged. A general chorus of "dance" made the rounds and I nodded. "Works for me." I turned to Seven. "How about you. Ready to try dancing yet?"

She shook her head. "I wish to observe more of this event. I will stay here."

I glanced around and spotted a table in the process of being vacated. "Ooh. Better idea. Come here." I led her to the table. Everyone followed us and piled their various personals on the table. "Ok. Why don’t you sit here. We’ll be right over there if you need us."

Seven nodded and sat down on a stool. "Alright. Though I believe I will be fine."

I watched as everyone headed to the dance floor and started dancing together. "Oh, one last thing. If anyone comes up to you and starts getting pushy or asking a lot of questions, feel free to tell them you’re with us. That’ll give you some room to breathe."

She looked puzzled but nodded her understanding.

I turned and slipped through the crowd until I had come up behind Buffy. The current song had a slow, deliberate beat. My arms slid around her waist as I pressed against her back. Her hands came up and held mine where they crossed over her stomach, her head tilting back to rest on my shoulder.

I nuzzled her neck as our bodies moved from side to side. She ground herself back into me, causing me to move my hands to her waist and pull her tightly against me. Buffy spun in my grasp, her arms twining around my neck. Our foreheads touched as we danced. I was vaguely aware of the others around us. Cordy and Xander were almost as bad as Buffy and I, but Willow and Oz were rather chaste. I always found how they interacted very sweet. Always considerate and loving. Like Buffy and I without the overkill sex drive.

The song segued into a faster beat and we parted, arms and legs moving with the new rhythm. Almost choreographed we started to dance with the others. Moving through them one by one until we had danced with everyone and reunited once more.

Buffy slid one of her legs between mine and I moved my hips against her. Covered by the crowd, her hands slipped around and delved into the back pockets of my cutoffs, pulling me tight against her. I captured her lips in a kiss, tongues dueling for mastery until Willow interrupted us.

"Hey, get a room." Her eyes sparked with mirth.

Buffy mock growled, wrinkled her nose and started to laugh.

I craned my neck up and around to see how Seven was doing. So far, things seemed to be going well.

*

Seven had so far deflected six different attempts to engage her in conversation and ten attempts at dancing. She was polite, but firm when she explained that she was already here with someone else. Once she had to show brief force when an inebriated male had tried to insist on kissing her. She was quite certain his nose was not broken. After that people seemed to be leaving her alone.

Which left her free to watch and learn. Most of her attention was on Buffy and Alex, however. She found herself fascinated with them. As they danced, she wondered what it would be like to move with them. Against them.

Or the Captain.

There. She had done it again. Thought of the Captain in a sexual way. Why were these thoughts suddenly in her mind? The Captain was certainly attractive. And intelligent, strong… Seven pondered for a moment. Of all the people on Voyager there was no one else worthy of her. Certainly most were intimidated by her. Except for B’Ellana Torres. The half-Klingon woman certainly wasn’t afraid of Seven.

But.. The Captain had shown her more kindness, consideration and trust than Torres. She began to wonder if the Captain had ever considered what Seven was considering at this moment.

She was jolted from her thoughts by the return of her companions and their friends.

Cordelia and Willow split off towards the bar for refreshments while Xander dashed for the bathroom. Oz and Buffy settled themselves on a seat and Alex came up beside Seven.

"I need some air…

*

…want to come with me?"

As Seven nodded I turned and gave Buffy a quick kiss on the cheek. "We’ll be right back."

"Be careful." She called out after us as we moved toward the back door.

As I stepped outside I felt refreshed by the cool air that washed over me. I closed my eyes and breathed deep. The heat out on the floor was intense, and I needed a breather. I turned and looked at Seven.

"Things still going ok?"

"Everything is fine. I am learning much from being here. Thank you for bringing me along."

I smiled at her and was rewarded by one of her own. It was breathtaking. Her whole face lit up with that smile. "No problem. We’re glad to help you. What’re friends for?"

She hesitated. "Friends? We are.. friends…?"

"Of course!" I grinned.

She tilted her head as she processed that. "That is.. acceptable." And she smiled again.

My pulse shot up at that smile. I started to say something but it never finished.

"Well. If it isn’t the Slayer’s Whore and a friend."

I spun around, my breath freezing in my lungs.

He emerged from the shadows. A sardonic smile was on his lips. "Hello, Alexandria."

"Angel." My voice was almost a growl.

Seven looked back and forth from the two of us. "Alex. What is going on?"

I forced myself to stay where I was. "This is Angel. And if he’s as smart as he thinks he is, he’ll leave now."

He chuckled. "Alex. You wound me." He put his hand to his chest. "I was just walking by."

"Then you can keep on walking." I forced my hands to unclench.

"But.. Since I’m here. How about a dance?" His head tilted to the side.

"No thanks, Angel. I prefer my dates to have a pulse." I saw shadows moving behind him.

"Oh, I’m afraid I must insist." He made a small motion with his head and the shadows burst into view. Five vamps in game face. I ducked as one hurtled at me, hearing him land in the dumpster behind me. The second was right behind him and I barely had time to throw a hand up to block the punch he swung at me. My arm numbed from the blow and I stepped back to gain some time.

The other three went for Seven. They never knew what hit them.

She waited until the first had reached her before she moved. She quickly punched the first in the stomach, turned and kicked the second in the face before flipping the third over her back.

I looked around quickly and moved to one of the inevitable crates that lined the ally, kicking it into several manageable pieces. Seven turned when I called her name and deftly caught the stake I tossed at her. She spun full circle and dusted two of the vamps as they rushed her.

I heard a growl behind me and jabbed backward, hoping I was on target. A shower of dust coated me and I knew that for once my training had paid off. I looked up as Seven staked the vampire circling her warily. And then I was rushed from the side.

I slammed painfully into the ground, having forgotten the vampire in the dumpster. My stake skittered across the ground out of my reach. I felt his breath on my neck, heard him growl and braced myself for the pain.

Suddenly the weight was gone and I looked up to see Seven standing over me, holding the vamp in her left hand. His feet twisted several feet off the ground as he tried to get free. With an easy move she staked him and dust settled on me.

Clapping drew my eyes back over to Angel. He hadn’t moved. I climbed my way to my feet and eyed him.

"Nicely done. You’ve gotten better since we last met." He smiled at me.

"Yeah, well I’ve had one hell of an incentive." I dusted off my clothes. "What do you want, Angel."

"What I always want. Murder and mayhem. Chaos and misery. Ahhh. The things that make a demon happy." He took a step closer.

Seven stepped up beside me. "I advise you to stop." She wasn’t even breathing hard.

He looked at her. "And who the hell are you?"

"I am Seven of Nine. And I advise you to stay where you are."

He laughed. "Oh now that’s good. Where’d you find her, Alex?"

I shrugged. "My secret. Why don’t you leave, Angel. You’re not getting anything tonight."

He took another step forward just as the door opened behind us. I didn’t need to turn to see who it was. Her presence was a comfort at my back.

Angel looked behind me. "Hello, Buff."

"Oh gee, why am I not surprised." Buffy stepped to my other side. "You heard her, Angel. Leave. Now."

He shook his head. "You women always did stick together. Until next time, Lover." He gave Seven one last glance before fading away into the night.

I gave a sigh, then a groan as various aches and pains made themselves known. "So much for Halloween being quiet."

Buffy put her arms around me. "Yeah. They always have to do things differently around here." She stepped back and looked me over, then glanced at Seven. "You guys ok?"

Seven nodded. "I am fine. These.. Vampires.. Were no match for Borg strength and speed."

Buffy chuckled. "I wouldn’t think so." She noticed my limp. "Alright, what happened?"

I grimaced. "I let one of them tackle me." I held up my hand as she started to speak. "I know.. But, can we save the lecture for tomorrow? I’d like to enjoy the rest of the night."

She sighed. "Fine. But you’re hearing it tomorrow."

I nodded. "Ok. Now, I have more energy to burn off. Fighting always leaves me.. pumped up." I pulled Buffy close for a kiss. "Lets dance, shall we?"

"Party Girls ‘R Us." She grabbed Seven with one hand, me with the other and led us back inside the Bronze.