A/N: I'm not entirely sure where all of these stories are coming from, beyond my wounded feelings following Picard, but I'm not going to complain while they give me something to do in isolation. The name for Naomi's roommate comes from the Voyager episode "Someone To Watch Over Me" and the title for this work comes from the song 'Something's Gotta Give' - some of which is quoted at the start of this chapter. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Something's Gotta Give

…
When an irresistible force such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give

When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no, because I insist
Somewhere, somehow, someone's gotta be kissed
…

"Aren't you afraid to be alone with him?"

"No," Naomi replied absently without turning from the mirror, intent on pinning her hair up, "why should I be?"

Her Academy roommate, a Bolian named Alandra, shrugged a shoulder, "He's Borg."

"He used to be Borg," Naomi corrected her.

"He was still one of them, Naomi," Alandra countered, "just…be careful."

Naomi rolled her eyes, "I don't have to be careful," she informed her, turning around, "Icheb is one of my oldest friends, I've always felt safe with him."

Alandra still looked doubtful, "I don't trust him."

"Why?" Naomi demanded, "Yes, he was Borg, but that was a long time ago. He's been an individual for much longer and he's also one of the best men I know, possibly even the best."

"Oh no," Alandra said, horrified, "please don't tell me that you have feelings for him."

"Of course I have feelings for him," Naomi scoffed, ignoring the blush creeping into her cheeks, "he's my best friend."

Alandra shook her head, "No, it's more than that. You're far too protective for it to just be platonic."

Naomi rolled her eyes again, "I'm only 'protective' because people are so judgemental," she countered, "you don't even know him and, worse than that, you don't even want to get to know him."

"The Borg hurt a lot of people, Naomi," Alandra replied evenly, "you can't expect people to accept those liberated from the collective with open arms."

"They're still people," Naomi insisted.

Alandra sighed, as she picked up her bag, "Naomi, you're sweet, but you're so naïve," she told her, heading towards the door, "and one day that Borg of yours is going to show his true nature."

"He's not Borg, he's Brunali," Naomi insisted just as Alandra opened the door, revealing Icheb.

"Hello," he greeted them politely. Alandra gave him a tight smile and, leaving as much distance between them as possible, left the room without further comment.

"Well, she seems lovely," he commented after a moment, moving to lie on Naomi's bed.

"I'm sorry," Naomi told him ruefully, "she was horribly rude and said the most awful things."

Icheb shrugged as he shifted into a more comfortable position, "Everyone does, why should she be any different?"

"I'm so sorry," Naomi repeated, coming to sit on the end of the bed.

"It doesn't matter," Icheb assured her.

Naomi crossed her arms, "Yes it does," she retorted, "people shouldn't treat you like that."

"Their opinions are irrelevant," he told her, "the only opinions that matter are those of the former Voyager crew." He paused, "And, even then, there's only a handful that truly count," he added with a significant look, Naomi blushed and looked away.

"I still don't like it," she said after a moment.

"It's fine, ma petite," he assured her, "truly. It's not like I haven't made any friends here and I still have you," he continued, giving her a playful shove with his foot, "and Seven and the others, I don't need anything else."

"You'll always have me," she assured him, "Itchy," she added with a grin.

Icheb regarded her for a long moment, "Always?"

"Always."

Naomi cocked her head to the side as Icheb continued to regard her, "What is it?"

Icheb cleared his throat, "I have been wrong about this before," he began, sitting up, "and, this time, there's much more at stake…but…you said always and, well, there's really only one certain way that could happen…well, maybe not…but-"

"Icheb," Naomi interrupted him with a teasing smile, "why don't you just say whatever it is you're trying so hard not to?"

"Is there any possibility that we could change the parameters of our relationship?" Icheb asked in a rush.

Naomi blinked, "Change the parameters?"

Icheb pulled himself up, "I was in error," he said apologetically, "it doesn't matter. Shall we go for dinner?"

"Icheb, wait!" Naomi ordered, grabbing onto his sleeve before he could stand. "Did-did you just ask me out?"

Icheb raised an eyebrow, "We already have plans for dinner."

"Don't be obtuse," Naomi retorted, "did you mean changing the parameters to be…romantic?"

Icheb looked away, "Yes," he said shortly, "you have been very outspoken in your defence of me and seemed to enjoy my company more than that of others. I thought…" he shrugged a shoulder, "I thought that might mean you had a romantic interest in me. If it's merely platonic, then I am happy to continue as before. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You surprised me, but you didn't make me uncomfortable," Naomi assured him, "I had no idea you felt that way."

"My feelings are irrelevant," Icheb told her stiffly.

"Not to me," she told him softly, "Icheb…you weren't in error." She swallowed as his eyes snapped to her face, "I would like to change the parameters of our relationship."

"You would?"

"Yes."

They smiled warmly at each other, before Icheb's face clouded and he frowned. "This won't be easy for you," he cautioned, "I'd hate for people to treat you differently or even harshly because of me."

"I don't care," Naomi assured him, "besides, I thought their opinions were irrelevant?"

"Not if they hurt you."

"The only thing that hurts me is what they say about you," she told him, reaching out tentatively to squeeze his hand.

Icheb turned his hand over to interlace their fingers, "I have your good opinion, that's enough for me."

Naomi's stomach growling broke the moment, "Perhaps we should discuss this further over dinner," Icheb suggested.

"I guess, Alandra was right about one thing," Naomi said conversationally as they stood and Icheb reclaimed her hand. "You are my Borg after all," she informed him with a teasing smile as they headed towards the door.

"Always," Icheb assured her with an answering grin as they left the room together.