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[She's content to work around him in silence. Eventually, though, it occurs to her that failing to greet him might be considered rude.]

Do you require assistance, Captain?

[Phil has come regularly since the accident. Each time it's different. Sometimes he just sits with his friend. Sometimes he shares the latest news. Sometimes he interacts with the medical staff. Each time, an undercurrent of sadness is kept carefully at bay.]

I understand Number One visited recently.

[His days are long and monotonous since the accident. His mind trapped in this useless vegetative body. Only his eyes follow to her face at the question. He had been wondering idly what the implant over her eye was and knowing he couldn't ask about it.

The light on the front of his chair beeps once....twice....

That would be no, he didn't need help right now.]

[At first, he didn't want to see anyone. The recovery had been painful and long with hardly any improvement. The chair had been something but it still reminded him that he was never going to walk again.

He would have kept Boyce out if he had the ability. Yet, he wouldn't even admit it to himself...it was good to see him. He did try to keep eye contact at least, it was the only thing he could do on his own.

The light beeps once. Yes. And it had been awkward. Not for her, she was all business as usual but he did feel just as useless sitting here listening to her tell him about her current assignment as if he was still her Captain.]

I'm sorry I missed her. Our paths rarely cross these days. She said in her last letter she was up for promotion. But that was nine months ago. Did she finally make captain?

[He knows she's been passed over at least twice before. Another of life's injustices.]

[She was one of the smartest people he knew....and still hadn't been given her own command. Another reason Pike felt helpless sitting here. He would be writing her a recommendation in a heartbeat.

His light beeps twice for no. Frustration and anger over the situation simmers inside of him, but none of it can show on his face.]

[The same feelings are reflected in Phil's expression.]

That's a damn shame. And Starfleet's lose. Although, knowing Number One, she took it completely in stride.

[His light flashes once. Yes, she was always so level headed. Though, Pike knew it was difficult for her to come visit, despite how much she did try to hide it. He knew her too well to not notice.

Boyce looked older too to Pike's eyes. He certainly hoped the good doctor was looking after himself, he wouldn't have him breaking down and ending up in the next bed over.]

[He's not at all surprised to see the single flash. It seems to darken his features further. A great weight seems to be resting on his shoulders, one that reaches far beyond their current discussion. It's grown progressively worse over the past few months, months coinciding with Pike's recovery. He glances past Pike, casting his gaze toward the window. For a moment, he's quiet.]

[Was there something else bothering his former CMO? Pike wants to ask but how to go about it? He couldn't just will his eyes to say what he wanted to say.

Reduced to yes and no questions, it was unnerving.

The wheelchair turns away for a moment, driving in a slow circle to park right in front of Boyce, inches away from his feet. As if Pike was trying to say, Lay it on me, you want to say something say it.]

[Seven is not the most attuned to social cues, and he's limited in the cues he can provide. She would explain her occipital implant, if he were effectively able to express curiosity. Staring might work. It might not.]

A negative response.

[She confirms that she understands his answer, such as it is. It seems to her that any human would find this means of communication limiting.]

Is this the most advanced technology available to you?

[His chair was attuned to his own brain activity, he could make it move and blink but apart from that, there wasn't anything else he could use. His face was burned beyond recognition or expression. His eyes were the only alive part of him. Even his heart had been replaced with an artificial one.

Pike looks back but the light stays quiet in front of him. He honestly didn't know. It was the most advanced at the time. Without the chair, he wouldn't be able to move anywhere.

His eyes do seem to be drawn to just above her left eye where the metal was visible.]

[She waits, anticipating a flash and beep or two. When it isn't forthcoming, she assumes he's unable to answer in such binary terms. She tips her head, placing him under more direct scrutiny. He is looking at, potentially, the most prominent of her visible implants. There's also a starburst of metal under her right ear and exoskeletal plating on left hand.]

You are unfamiliar with the Borg Collective.

[This is presented as a fact, rather than a question. She knows who he is (at least in dry historically-documented terms), and feels confident making an assumption about his temporal point of origin.]

The Collective is comprised of many species, cybernetically augmented. They attempt to assimilate all sufficiently developed life and technology they encounter. They share a hive mind, a single intelligence from which I was severed. My humanity has been restored. The remaining 12% of my cybernetic implants are necessary to maintain my vital functions.

[Her tone is impassive throughout. She's still unsure how this should make her feel, or at least not particularly self-aware. In view of his present condition, Pike might actually benefit from assimilation. At least communication would no longer present a problem.]

Was that information adequate?

[His usually dull expressionless eyes do brighten somewhat with the information. It's rare he receives anything new from the outside world and it's a relief that she did guess what he was thinking.

The Borg sound awful to his frame of mind, invasive to other species. However he can appreciate the irony that they are both slaves to their mechanical parts. They would both be dead without them.

His light beeps once for yes, that was very adequate. She reminds him somewhat of his first officer with her clinical relation of the facts. It was almost comforting, like the good old days of being back on the bridge.]

[In this instance, she finds the single beep strangely satisfying. Her clinical relation of the facts—as he observed it—isn't often well received. She nods acknowledgement.

Human beings are social creatures. In her experience, they require regular interaction in order to be comfortable. Seven herself is not an adept conversationalist, but after eighteen years within a collective consciousness, she finds it uncomfortable to be alone. She wonders whether it would be psychologically damaging to be restricted to yes or no answers, as he is. At the very least, she thinks it would be frustrating.]

I am curious... Have you attempted communication with a member of a telepathic species?

[It's not immediately obvious, but he's disturbed by the question. It brings back a few unpleasant memories of being trapped in a cage, aliens probing his memories...punishment for wrong thinking.

A faint layer of sweat breaks out on his brow as he tries to put the memories back, tries not to think about them. It was a fair question perhaps with the Vulcans being telepathic but they abhorred emotion and physical contact if they could prevent it.

He's finally able to concentrate enough to get his light to blink twice.]

[Seven herself is capable of establishing a neutal link with other cybernetic lifeforms, though she's unsure whether linking to Captain Pike would be viable. It would depend entirely on the technology sustaining him. Even if it did prove viable, she wouldn't assume he'd want to pursue that possibility. As limited as he is currently, she cannot be sure that quasi-telepathic communication with her would be worthwhile. She's confident to the point of arrogance about most things (as is "natural" to the Borg Collective) but certain of her shortcomings are apparent even to her. Regardless, the last thing she would want is to make him feel less human. There are non-invasive improvements she could attempt first.

His expression hasn't changed; nor would she expect it to, under the circumstances. She observes some mild perspiration. There may or may not have been some irregularity in his artificial heartbeat. Mostly, she notes the delay in his response. She then has to spend a few seconds interpreting what these things might mean, taken together. For a time, she lapses into silence, pursing her lips slightly. A thoughtful crease appears between her human eyebrow and the implant.

Abruptly, she ventures:]

I wish to examine your life support unit. Do you object?

[The maneuver is effective in both recapturing Phil's attention and delivering the desired message. Phil's never been one to beat around the bush, especially with Chris. So speaks his mind.]

Your quality of life isn't expected to improve. Unless there are unprecedented advancements in medical technology, you'll be confined to that chair for as long as you live. Has the staff here been upfront with that information?

[He doesn't expect any of this is news to his former commander. In case it hasn't been conveyed, it needs to be said.]

[His gaze drops away from Boyce, looking down at nothing. One slow beep from the light. He knew.

He hated it. The final verdict. Sorry, but you're going to live in the chair till the batteries give out. It was a hard pill to swallow.

Pike's eyes go back to Boyce, giving him as hard of a look as he could. The chair moving forward to bounce against his feet. Can't he do something? Surely the good doctor had an ace up his sleeve somewhere, they couldn't just give up now.]

[The chair slides back away from her, almost a reflex before he can stop himself. Granted the thing was limited but it was the only chair he had. The only life support he had.

However...he was miserable in it. Pike would admit that to himself. After a moment, he slowly slides forward again.

Two beeps for no, he does not object. But he's going to be watching what she does. Even if this ended badly, anything was better than doing nothing.]

[The technology that saved his friend's life will also artificially extend his years. A double curse. Trapped with no end in sight. It isn't any way to live, especially for a purpose driven individual like Pike.]

I've exhausted all my resources but there's someone else who might be able to help. We've discussed the basics of your case over subspace.

[Another doctor? That had to be it. Some sort of specialist. Figured that Boyce wouldn't give up on him.

His light beeps yes, sounds like a plan.]

Good. He'll be passing through this sector in a few days and said he'd make time to see you. I should warn you though. His methods might seem unconventional at first. Will you promise to keep an open mind?