Appreciating Paris
By RalSt

Part 10

A data pad went sailing through the air, its acrobatics prematurely halted when it impacted the bulkhead on one side of B'Elanna Torres' quarters. The delicate circuitry and electronics that had allowed the instrument to function for over four years aboard the USS Voyager were now misaligned and useless. The detailed report from engineering on the deflector manifold adjustments was now lost. Thankfully the original copy was still in existence in the main computer, and if one rather nervous half Klingon Chief Engineer could keep from assaulting that as well, then the data should remain safe.

For the past hour and forty-eight minutes, ever since being escorted back from the Captain's ready room, B'Elanna had tried to get on with some work. Or at least that was what she tried to convince herself she was doing, in reality she was just waiting, waiting for a certain ex-Borg to contact her. When after all that time there was still no word from Seven, and the data pad had the temerity to take zero point five seconds too long to load a schematic, B'Elanna's temper began to fray, and the data pad to fly.

Cursing under her breath she went to retrieve the damaged pad, its muted black display screen a testimony to its demise. 'Great, another thing I've managed to ruin today,' she chastised herself, 'no wonder Seven doesn't want anything to do with me, I can't even control my temper around an inanimate piece of equipment.' Carefully placing the pad back on the small coffee table, B'Elanna began to pace around the confines of her room, or as she was beginning to think of it, 'her gaol'.

If it wasn't for this stupid restriction to quarters she could have gone out and found Seven, tried to explain or apologise for what she'd done to Paris, but now all she could do was wait. B'Elanna Torres was not good at waiting, at least not for important, life changing things like this. Several times she had contemplated contacting the Captain to ask for special permission to talk to Seven. She'd seen the sympathetic way Janeway had looked at her when she mentioned the fear that her budding relationship with the ex-Borg could be in jeopardy, but she knew that however much the Captain might privately sympathise with her she wouldn't curtail security protocols to help play matchmaker. So she was stuck in her room with no-way of contacting Seven.

As her pacing took her alongside the communications console B'Elanna contemplated, yet again, the idea of re-routing the security algorithms on the device to contact Seven that way. It wouldn't be a difficult thing to accomplish, working with the Maquis had taught her all she would ever need to know about evading security, but in doing so she'd be not only flouting Starfleet regulations but Janeway's direct orders and that was something she was loathed to do. Keeping to that high moral ground was made somewhat easier by the fact she was guaranteed to see Seven in engineering in less than nine hours anyway. Still nine hours was a long way away.

'Thud!'

Kicking the console had seemed like a good idea at the time, but then at the time B'Elanna hadn't recalled the pertinent fact that she'd already removed her shoes. "Oww!" Bringing up the damaged foot for inspection and a massage B'Elanna was forced to hop back towards her couch, all the while cursing under her breath in a very colourful manner. So when the door chimed her abrupt about turn almost had the effect of propelling her face down on the floor. Fortunately she managed to steady herself just in time, and smoothing out her uniform, gave the person permission to enter.

The door slid open to reveal the starched form of Seven of Nine, hands clasped behind her back, hair in its usual staid bun and an unreadable expression on her face. By Seven's side was the beefy security guard, his eyes wandering over her body once he was sure the blonde's attention was diverted. Glaring at the man B'Elanna felt the urge to rip his eyes out, but it wouldn't do to succumb to another bout of possessive anger so soon after the last incident, so she made do with a small prayer his private parts would whither up and drop off. Turning to ignore the man she put on an inviting but businesslike smile, "Come in Seven, what can I do for you?"

Seven made her way into the Lieutenant's quarters, grateful when the door shut cutting off the annoying stare of the man posted outside. Bringing her hand from behind her back she displayed a data pad for the other woman's attention. "I wished to discuss the latest developments in the holo-simulations for the sensor output modifications." Once B'Elanna had taken the pad the young ex-Borg retook her regulation stance, hands clasped firmly behind her back and eyes front.

"I see." B'Elanna felt as if a hand had reached down and engulfed her twin hearts in a vice like grip. She had been so anxious for Seven to arrive but here she was all business, as if the relationship that had been growing between them was non-existent. It was as if she was giving a report in front of the senior staff, at attention, no look of recognition, no sign of the tiny smile B'Elanna had begun to associate with their meetings. 'She's put the walls back up' was the half Klingon's sombre realisation as she only half listened to Seven's recital.

"The system modifications could be more efficiently executed with a by-pass relay installed in main engineering. The image enhancing sub-processor could..." Seven gave her report from memory, seeming unconcerned by anything around her.

"Hold on." Raising a hand to stop the onslaught of more information, B'Elanna took her first real glance at the data pad. The data stored on the pad was identical with the one she had smashed against the wall earlier, and had nothing to do with what Seven was now explaining. Not only that but she was sure they had already gone over the information Seven was reciting and come to satisfactory conclusions. So unless the blonde, ex-Borg with the eidetic memory had managed to forget a conversation they'd had only four or five hours ago, she wasn't here to discuss any modifications. B'Elanna allowed a small smile to grace her lips, if Seven wasn't there about work then she must be there about them. The smile slowly faded as she realised that could still be bad news. "Did you really come here to talk about this?" She waved the pad for emphasis.

"No." Admitting this Seven relaxed her stance somewhat and reached out to retrieve the data pad. "It was the only way to get passed the security guard. To pretend my visit was related to ship's business."

"Okay, I can understand telling muscle bound outside that you wanted to see me to talk about engineering but why'd you carry on the act when you got inside?"

"I am unsure." The admission appeared to disturb Seven, she disliked the idea of being a puppet to her illogical emotions. "I did not know how you would react to my visiting you for personal reasons. I am also unused to doing so."

"I was hoping you'd come by." B'Elanna reassured her. She decided to leave off the part about her nearly going out of her mind waiting for the other woman to show, or the dread she'd felt and was still feeling about whether or not Seven would decide to end things between them.

"You were?" The younger woman seemed surprised and pleased by the news.

"Yes." Taking hold of Seven's free hand B'Elanna led her towards the couch. "As this is a personal visit I say we get comfortable, okay?"

"I will comply." Seven sat rather primly at the edge of the couch.

B'Elanna had 'forgotten' to let go of Seven's hand, her fingers beginning a slow and gentle caress of the pale skin, marvelling at the contrast between them. Looking up she saw Seven too was watching their hands, the slight smile she had been searching for earlier now present. "Are you angry with me?"

"Angry?" Seven's smile dissolved into a look of confusion.

"For loosing my temper like that and hitting Paris." B'Elanna's eyes once more became fascinated with their joined hands.

"I am not angry with you." The sentence was accompanied by a renewed smile when B'Elanna brought her eyes up to meet Seven's. "Although I am unsure why you struck Mr Paris."

"He was hitting on you."

"He is insignificant."

"True, but he had his hands all over you." B'Elanna pulled a face of disgust. "And he tried to kiss you. Again."

Seven's ocular implant rose at the tone of B'Elanna's voice. "You are sounding somewhat possessive Lieutenant."

"What?" The half Klingon tried desperately to order her cheeks not to blush, but they did anyway. "I'm sorry, I know I have no right to say who can or cannot touch you. I.."

"Are we seeing each other Lieutenant?" Seven interrupted, then after reanalysing the sentence added. "That is a decidedly redundant term, we are sitting beside each other so of course we are seeing one another. The Federation standard form of language can be most imprecise, two diverse uses for the same set of words is potentially confusing."

"Yes."

"I suppose a more accurate form of enquiry might be if we are dating, but then as we have yet to go out on a date together I would presume the answer would have to be no." Seven took a second to consider. "There is also 'going out together', but I am unsure where it is we are meant to be going out to. Does it mean outside the ship or just out in public as a couple? Neither of which we have done, so again I presume the answer would have to be no."

"Seven." B'Elanna interrupted what she thought must be Borg babble mode.

"Yes Lieutenant."

"The answer to your question or questions is yes. We are seeing each other, dating and going out together, that is if it's what you want too?"

"It is." The two shared a smile, both glad that had been sorted out, even if Seven was still trying to unravel the intricacies of Federation language. "Lieutenant.."

"Seven don't you think it's time you started calling me by my name? I mean we are dating now, right?" B'Elanna interrupted.

"Sorry B'Elanna." Seven smiled as she said the name, it wasn't the first time but it still felt extremely intimate to use the name rather than the more familiar Lieutenant.

"That's okay, I love the way you say my name." The half Klingon's words were met by a blush from the young blonde. "What were you gonna ask?"

"Is our relationship going to be monogamous?"

"Yes!" The reply came with some force and without the need for thought. "I mean, well unless you have any objections, I know a lot of people think it's a bit outmoded and restraining. If you'd rather.." She let her sentence trail off.

"Logically monogamy is not the most ideal form of relationship for humans." Seven intoned, her words bringing an apparition of sleep deprived nights of jealousy for B'Elanna. "There have been studies that suggest polygamous relationships.." Seven stopped, logic or not she did not want to share B'Elanna with anyone. "Yes I want ours to be a monogamous relationship."

"Good."

"I believe in that case B'Elanna it was not overly presumptuous of you to say who could or could not touch me." Seven brought the conversation back to Paris and his wandering hands. "I do think striking the person was over protective though, as well as inefficient."

"Inefficient?" B'Elanna wasn't sure what efficiency had to do with it.

"You struck Mr Paris for touching me, but in so doing had your own freedom severely curtailed, which has resulted in a restriction on the time we can spend together." Seven's brow furrowed at this, not being able to spend as much time as she wanted with B'Elanna was not acceptable. "If you had simply ignored him, as I was doing, we could have seen each other freely."

"I guess." B'Elanna's acknowledgement was reluctant, she'd enjoyed thumping Tom. Hearing Seven talk about the restraint on their time together prompted the more tactile half Klingon to use their joint hands to pull the blonde more fully onto the couch, completing the manoeuvre by wrapping her arms around Seven's waist and encouraging the taller woman to lean back against her body. It was a move that brought the ex-Borg's neck into tantalising proximity with B'Elanna's lips, a closeness that she was unable to resist as she began planting tiny kisses on the pale skin.

"Hmm," The feel of the lips ghosting across her skin was extremely distracting, but there was just one other thing Seven wanted to know. "How is it that your punishment was so lenient?"

"How do you know what my punishment is?" A trail of kisses led to Seven's ear before the lips parted to suck on her earlobe.

"I.." The new sensations coursing through her body made it difficult for Seven to speak. "Looked.. in.. the...the... security... files."

B'Elanna broke off her kisses, "Those files are classified."

"I am aware of that." Seven didn't like the fact the kisses had stopped, and turned to look into the other woman's eyes to gauge if she was upset by her illegal activities. "The information was not heavily protected." She excused.

"But what if you'd been caught?"

"I was not." Seven was indignant at the very idea.

"Yeah but if you had we'd have even less time to spend with one another because you'd be in the brig." The scowl on B'Elanna's face displayed her feelings on that prospect.

"I am not the one who was caught breaking Federation regulations." Seven defended.

"Okay, but just be careful. I don't want you getting into trouble."

"I promise." Seven sealed her promise by planting a delicate kiss on B'Elanna's lips, the unusually forthright manoeuvre infusing her cheeks with red. "You still did not say why your sentence was so lenient. For striking another officer you should have been sent to the brig."

"I know." Bring up her hand B'Elanna released Seven's hair from the severe bun, before brushing her fingers through the golden strands. Her mind totally captivated by the way the light shone off the free flowing mane she failed to answer the question.

"Are you trying to avoid my question?" The young ex-Borg tried to ask in a direct and inquisitive manner, but the feel of the fingers running through her hair made the words come out on a near sigh.

"What?" B'Elanna lowered her hand to massage the base of Seven's skull, her mind only slowly recalling what they had been discussing. "Oh that, no. I think once Janeway knew why I'd punched him she sort of sympathised, well that and she needs me for the engineering modifications, so she decided to go easy on me."

"Did you tell her about us?"

"Yeah." Stopping her gentle caress B'Elanna checked Seven's reaction. "Was it all right that I told her?"

"Yes." The slight frown that quickly graced the pale brow was enough to set B'Elanna's fingers back to work. "I would have told her myself soon, I just wanted more first."

"More?"

"Hmm."

"More what?" B'Elanna tried to clarify.

"More of you." Seven explained before reaching forward to capture B'Elanna's lips with her own. This time the kiss was not fleeting or light, but full of barely withheld passion. Shifting slightly on the couch they ended up lying beside one another, arms encircling each other as lips danced across skin. Finding the amount of skin available for her touch restricted, Seven began pushing at the shoulders of B'Elanna's jacket, which had fortunately already been unfastened, managing to push the garment as far as her elbow before it refused to travel any further. Tugging at the material, while maintaining their kiss, she still couldn't get it to budge any further. The small growl that worked its way up from deep in her throat a testament to her frustration, a sign that wasn't missed by B'Elanna.

Breaking their kiss B'Elanna pushed herself up slightly, the movement being met with an unhappy frown from Seven before she saw the jacket being removed and thrown rather haphazardly over the back of the couch. "That's better." The half Klingon mumbled before descending to recapture full lips. Seven's moans of agreement were soon swallowed by the heated embrace.

Now that B'Elanna was laying more on top than next to her, Seven estimated the removal of her tank top would be easier to accomplish. Dropping both hands to the base of the garment she grasped its hem and began to lift the top free of the engineer's enticing body.

"Hold on." B'Elanna broke off, putting her hands over Seven's she lowered her top. "Let's take things slowly, okay?"

Without answering Seven resumed their kiss, the feel of B'Elanna's velvety tongue caressing her own was sending shock waves throughout her body. Heat and tension was settling into the pit of her stomach and radiating outwards, making her legs feel weak. The urge to be touched or to touch was growing maddeningly strong, the fingers that grazed the contours of her back propelling her to arch into the contact, desperate for more. As the kisses progressed the two bodies shifted and began to move against one another, a leg slipping in-between Seven's own and bringing with it a gasp of pure pleasure. The need for contact too strong, the pale fingers found their way under the material of the tank top, caressing the flat stomach and marvelling in the feel of the caramel skin, hands moved upwards to further explore the wonderful body.

Sitting up fully this time B'Elanna was left kneeling on either side of Seven's right leg, the edge of her top far from the enthusiastic blonde's reach. In response the young ex-Borg displayed what could only be called a pout, an expression that brought a smile to the over heated Klingon's face. "I think we should wait before taking things too far."

"Why?" The pout was in full force before being subdued by a worrying thought. "Do you not want to be with me?"

"Yes of course I do, more than anything." B'Elanna reassured, reaching down to deposit a brief but definitely erotic kiss on Seven's lips. "But I want your first time to be special."

"It will be." Seven promised as her fingers began searching the waistband of B'Elanna's trousers for the fastening.

"Seven, don't." The seriousness of the order stopped the wandering hands immediately. The young blonde lowering her head afraid she'd done something to truly displease her love. "I want things to be perfect for you, for us, our first time." Cupping Seven's chin, B'Elanna lifted her head until their eyes met. "When we make love I don't want it to be some rushed event out here on my couch, a security guard on the door ready to walk in at any moment if he thinks you've outstayed the time necessary to work on, well whatever it is we're meant to be working on." Closing the gap between them B'Elanna placed another kiss on swollen lips. "Do you understand?"

"Yes." Seven traced B'Elanna's face with her fingers. "I did want to take things slowly, but that was before."

"Before what?" B'Elanna couldn't stop her lips from opening up to suck on the roaming finger.

"Huh?" Thought again left Seven's head until her finger was released. "Oh, erm, before you started kissing me and my body began to experience all these new sensations."

"Did you like these new feelings?"

"Yes."

B'Elanna laughed at the certainty of the reply that was mixed with a happy slightly glazed look. "Good, because we will be doing this again, only next time in a more appropriate setting."

"Acceptable." Seven wiggled slightly in the seat. "Could we resume kissing now? I will remember to take things slow."

B'Elanna's laugh came more forcefully this time as she witnessed the eagerness on Seven's face, an eagerness that she admitted to herself that she shared. Looking to the door she acknowledged the fear that they might be interrupted, and even though she had no reservations about the crew finding out about her relationship with Seven, the idea that the Captain might prohibit Seven's further visits if she found out they were not work related was too much to risk. "I would love to resume kissing, but big and brawny might walk in at any minute and we don't want that."

"We have another 11.4 minutes until Ensign Acton checks up on us."

"How can you know that?"

"When illegally entering the security files I surveyed his work habits and work performance scores from Tuvok's simulated training sessions." Knowing from Seven's confident tone that they had time, B'Elanna lowered herself to once again lay partially on top of the blonde. "He consistently allows five minutes to elapse after the regulatory thirty minute contact time before disturbing a prisoner. If he happens to encounter and strike up a conversation with a pretty female while on duty the time that elapses before he checks increases to ten minutes."

Fluttering tiny kisses around Seven's starburst implant, B'Elanna stopped to whisper a question in her ear. "So how can you be certain of the time? He might get to talking with a pretty girl?"

"I know he will." The ex-Borg replied confidently.

"How can you know that?"

"I spoke with Claire Mortimer before I arrived here. She volunteered to turn up and talk to Ensign Acton on her way to her date with Ensign Kim." Seven began kissing the ridges along B'Elanna's forehead. "She said she would be wearing her most alluring garment, and that Ensign Acton used to have a crush on her, so we could have as much as twenty minutes."

"Boy Scouts and ex-Borg." B'Elanna captured Seven's mouth with her own, letting her tongue dance within the smooth confines of the delicate mouth.

"Boy Scouts?" Seven queried in-between kisses.

"Hmm." Lips hungrily sought out one another in a need to make the most of the time they still had. "You're both prepared." Deciding that was enough talk for one night B'Elanna put her mouth to more pleasurable use.

Ensign Acton arrived, 23.6 minutes later. Seven decided to buy Claire some flowers. B'Elanna decided to cook Claire and Harry a special dinner. She even contemplated getting Tuvok a little something for keeping such good records, before her thoughts were taken over by where to take Seven next time for the perfect date, and she hoped, their first time.

Part 11

Tom Paris made his way towards the Captain's ready room, his finger gingerly testing the side of his nose where he was sure the doctor had failed to properly mend his broken cartilage. The EMH had seemed positively sadistic as he applied unneeded pressure to the broken nose, and the helmsman wondered if perhaps B'Elanna had reprogrammed the hologram to inflict the most pain possible on him whenever the opportunity arose. He'd get someone to double check the Doc's program, maybe Harry, except the guy had been acting a little strangely the last couple of days. Alternately he could always ask Seven, as his brand new girlfriend she should be more than willing to help him out, but then again the ex-drone had been acting oddly too. Maybe she just wasn't familiar enough with human dating to know the proper actions when starting a relationship, or maybe his kiss had simply overpowered the young woman and left her too overcome with rampant desire to know how to approach him. After a second of thought Tom chose reason number two, and decided to seek out the love-struck blonde and initiate her more fully into the ways of a dating couple. His evenings activities now looking more interesting, Tom happily pressed the chime to request entry to the Captain's ready room.

"Enter," came Janeway's cold voice from within, the emotions held in the tone unnoticed by Tom who simply believed he had been called to discuss the actions taken against B'Elanna for her crime.

"Ma'am." Tom bestowed a happy but slightly pained smile on the Captain.

"Ensign, I trust your injury has been taken care of." Without waiting for Tom's reply she went on. "I've asked you here to inform you of the actions I have taken against Lieutenant Torres for the attack upon you last night."

"Yes ma'am." Thoughts of his ex-girlfriend wallowing in the brig started to run rampant in Tom's mind.

"I have put her under house arrest, she will be confined to her quarters when not in engineering or on any other ship's business. I have also spoken with her about her excessive anger and ways to curtail its eruptions."

"Is that it?" Tom asked in a tone of utter disbelief. After all B'Elanna had struck a junior officer, she should have been demoted at least.

"As I'm sure you are aware Ensign, we are currently in a vulnerable position as regards the three enemy ships. Therefore it would be counter productive to the safety of Voyager and her crew to incarcerate our best engineer at this time." Janeway bestowed on him a look that dared him to contradict. "Of course as the victim of Lieutenant Torres' assault it is within your rights to press formal charges." Tom's eyes lit up with those words. "I am sure that in making that decision you will take the welfare of the rest of the crew into account, and not use it as a way of venting your own personal vengeance."

With the last part of Janeway's statement Tom's heart fell. There was no way he could press charges now, not if he ever wanted to regain his rank. "I am sure the action you prescribed was more than adequate, Captain. Under the circumstances."

"Good." Believing the meeting finished Tom prepared to leave. "Ensign, there is one further matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Yes ma'am." At this Tom straightened his posture, thinking Janeway was either going to praise his work with the pilot trainees or even go so far as to reinstate his rank straight away.

"It has come to my attention that you have begun dating Seven of Nine." Kathryn was now on protective mother mode and as such more deadly than as a mere Starfleet Captain. "Is that true?"

"Er, yes Captain we've.."

"I see." She was taken aback by the gall of the man, to continue his lie in front of her showed a level of bravado that she had not thought him capable. It also altered her plans, which had been to give him the scolding of his life and frighten him away from ever exaggerating his success with women again. With a devilish smile she quickly masked, Kathryn decided on a second approach, one she hoped would scared him even more than being berated by a force ten glare. "As Seven's guardian I would like to know what your intentions are towards her?"

"Intentions?" Tom looked baffled.

"Yes." Kathryn stood to face him. "I trust you are not planning to play with her affection?"

"No ma'am."

"She is a vulnerable young woman and if I found out you were playing with her emotions I would not be pleased." Tom wasn't sure but her thought he could detect a growl emanating from the Captain's throat.

"I would never.."

"Although not a Federation law, I would see to it that punishment was dealt severely to anyone who took advantage of Seven in that way." Kathryn glared at the man, her look reaching a degree of severity far higher than force ten.

"Captain, I would never, I mean Seven is very important to me and.." Tom's babbling was cut off by a loud thump, as Janeway's hand connected with the table.

"Seven is practically my daughter, so don't give me any of this 'important to me' crap. If you aren't serious about her tell me now." Although she was quite enjoying playing the protective parent Kathryn thought it only right to offer the now trembling young man a way out.

"I.." Tom's brain was in freefall, he couldn't work out what answer would be to his advantage and so ended up saying the first thing that entered his head. "I love her Captain."

"What?" That had been unexpected.

"I erm, I mean I won't hurt her." He realised he'd just dug himself an even bigger hole. "I am taking my relationship with Seven very seriously and in due time I would like to make her my wife."

"Wife?"

"Yes ma'am." For all outward appearances Tom looked the picture of calm at that moment, inside he was in a dead faint. 'Oh my God I've just said I'm gonna marry Seven' he began screaming inside his own head.

"I see." In truth Kathryn didn't see anything. If what Tom was saying was true then he really was dating Seven, and however hard that had been to swallow the idea that he would claim to want to marry her otherwise was even more absurd. If he was telling the truth that would mean that B'Elanna had lied about her own relationship to Seven, which seemed unlikely. Again feeling confused, Kathryn decided the only way she could work out the truth was to speak with Seven personally. "In that case you are dismissed Ensign."

Slightly unsteady on his feet Thomas Eugene Paris left the Captain's ready room.

Having managed to get as far as the corridor leading to his quarters, Tom's legs betrayed him and he collapsed against a wall and slid down onto the floor. All he could think about was that he'd just told the Captain he wanted to marry Seven; the Borg ice-queen, the woman he hadn't even taken to bed yet, the woman the Captain would kill to protect. He was a dead man. If Janeway didn't kill him then B'Elanna probably would.

Thinking of B'Elanna, Tom began to brighten, he could just see her jealous anguish when she realised he was marrying her worst enemy. Not only that but also marrying the Captain's favourite, and the most desired woman on the ship. Tom's previous look of alarm turned to one of satisfaction and triumph. If he did marry Seven the whole crew would envy him and Janeway was bound to award him his promotion. With that thought Tom stood and once again began making his way towards his quarters. It might not have been his original plan, but marrying Seven would get him all the things he had been craving, and keep his libido happy for many years to come.

Now all he had to do was convince Seven to marry him.

Again Tom stopped, although this time he did manage to keep his footing. 'How am I gonna get Seven to marry me?' He mused. It wasn't an area he had much practice in, no he was more your get them into bed and out the next day kind of guy. Actually wanting one to stay indefinitely was not something he had experience with.

Standing there he let his mind wander back to what Janeway had said in the ready room, and he began to wonder how she had known about his relationship to Seven. She could have just heard it through the gossip mill, but then why would she be so interested in his intentions? He wasn't fooling himself that he would be the Captain's ideal choice for a future partner for her Borg pet. So why was she asking his intentions instead of warning him off? There could really be only one answer, that Seven herself had told Janeway about them, and not only that but also indicated her feelings towards him. A smile to rival any he'd ever performed crossed Tom's face as he came to his own personal conclusion, 'Seven's in love with me.'

Problem solved and mind made up Tom continued on his way, all the while trying to work out how best to propose to the former Borg.

Seven and B'Elanna were working side by side in engineering when Captain Janeway found them. They were both engrossed in their work but it didn't escape Kathryn's attention how closely they were standing or how at ease they seemed to be with one another. "Excuse me ladies," she interrupted.

"Captain?" Seven enquired, turning to look at her mentor. B'Elanna merely nodded her greeting although it was accompanied by a warm smile.

"I believe the Doctor has recommended you both take a break, and that so far you have refused his suggestions."

"We are busy and do not require nutritional supplements at this time." Seven countered.

"What she said," agreed B'Elanna, earning a tiny smile from Seven.

"Never the less I am now insisting you take a break." Seeing them both about to protest, Kathryn held up her hand to demand silence. "I will accompany you both and then you can use the time to update me on your progress."

"Acceptable."

"I can't." B'Elanna said, nodding towards the security guard posted at the side of main engineering to monitor her movements.

Following B'Elanna's gesture Kathryn was reminded of her order that the chief engineer be restricted to her quarters or main engineering. "This meal is part of an official briefing, therefore I think it falls within the boundaries I set for your punishment."

"Okay then, let's go." With a wink at her guard B'Elanna proceeded to lead the group towards the exit.

"The punishment you prescribed for Lieutenant Torres restricts our work." Seven accused Kathryn once they were in the corridor.

"She is perfectly free to engage in work related areas Seven."

"Not all of our work can be accomplished in designated engineering areas." The young ex-Borg protested.

"If B'Elanna needs to work in other areas all she need do is explain it is for engineering reasons." Kathryn countered, somewhat amused that it was Seven who was doing the protesting and not B'Elanna. Her amusement was doubled by the information she had received from Tuvok just prior to meeting the two women. "The same way that you were granted admission to Lieutenant Torres' quarters last night."

"I think under the circumstances the Captain's measures are quite fair." B'Elanna cut in, hoping to stop whatever retort Seven seemed to be concocting.

"If you say so Lieutenant." Seven reluctantly agreed, her mind still stuck on the idea that she couldn't visit her soon to be lover whenever she wanted.

"Well I'm glad that's all sorted," saying that Janeway made her way into the messhall, followed a second later by the others.

Once seated at a table with their various dishes, B'Elanna and Seven began taking it in turns to inform the Captain of their progress, which was considerable.

"So you mean it's ready to go?" Janeway tried to clarify, her excitement at finally getting away from this place and back towards the Alpha quadrant was mounting.

"No."

"Nearly." B'Elanna added to soften Seven's denial. "The equipment has all been set up and the modifications complete, we just have to finish a few more tests."

"So how long do you think that will take?"

B'Elanna looked at Seven for confirmation. "Two or three hours?"

Seven nodded. "Approximately two hours thirty eight minutes from when we arrive back in engineering."

"That's approximately?" B'Elanna queried, her indulgent smile met by an equally fond one from the usually unemotional ex-Borg.

"Did you want the seconds too?"

"Why yes Seven, I think I want every second." B'Elanna replied in a smoky voice, having temporarily forgotten the Captain's presence.

"I think your approximation was sufficient." Janeway inserted, she was beginning to feel like a third wheel, even if their behaviour was answering a few of her questions about their relationship.

"Yes Captain." A trace of red touching her pale cheeks, Seven bent her head to concentrate on the food.

Even with eyes averted Seven could feel the tension that descended the table as footsteps began to approached. Looking up she was met by the sight of Tom Paris standing in front of them, although he had wisely chosen to stand on the Captain's side of the table and not that occupied by B'Elanna or herself.

"Captain, ladies." Tom interrupted, bestowing a radiant smile on Seven and one of slightly lesser wattage on the Captain. "I hope you're having a pleasant meal?"

"Yes thank you, Ensign." Janeway answered for the group, her tone still verging on the arctic.

Taking a sideways look at B'Elanna, Seven noticed the distinct signs of tension and barely contained anger that radiated from her body at Tom's intrusion. Not wanting a repeat of yesterdays brawl or more importantly the repercussions, Seven surreptitiously slid her hand onto B'Elanna's thigh and began a slow caress of the heated skin. As she'd hoped her actions appeared to calm the other woman, and gradually the tension eased from her face.

"I trust everything is going well with the modifications?" Tom asked, his second question directed straight at Seven.

"Yes, thank you Ensign." Seven mimicked the Captain's response, but as she did so B'Elanna's hand covered her own as it caressed the Klingon's thigh. Then with a small squeeze B'Elanna dropped the contact and began to rise. For a second panic assailed the former drone as she thought a further fight was imminent, but with B'Elanna's first words her fears were checked.

"Ensign Paris, I wish to apologise for my behaviour yesterday. It was unbecoming for a Starfleet officer to act in such a manner." The words slightly forced, B'Elanna continued. "I just wanted to say that I was sorry."

Three pairs of eyes looked at her in shock and disbelief.

"I.." Tom didn't want to accept, but with both Janeway and Seven now looking at him he couldn't do much else, not that he would forget what she'd done. "I accept Lieutenant."

The formal manner and strained atmosphere might not have been all that she could have hoped for, but under the circumstances Kathryn was proud of her people for putting their personal resentments behind them. "I'm glad you could both come to a reasonable understanding, and I trust this sort of thing will never happen again?" The last part was directed solely at B'Elanna.

"No, it won't happen again." B'Elanna assured, while her mind supplied the addition 'as long as he keeps his grubby little mitts away from my girlfriend.'

"Good."

Throughout this little speech Seven's eyes hadn't strayed from B'Elanna. She couldn't understand what on earth had possessed the usually honour bound half Klingon to apologise to him. Moments before she'd been sure they were going to end up in another fight, but now they were all looking at one another with polite little smiles and vacant expressions. This just didn't make sense.

"Seven?" Tom called for the second time, the young woman appearing to be daydreaming or at least the Borg equivalent.

"Yes Ensign."

"Could I speak with you in private for a moment?" He asked in a most courteous manner.

Sparing a brief look at B'Elanna, who appeared once again to be consumed with tension, Seven nodded and rose to follow Tom to the other side of the messhall.

"What do you think that's about?" Kathryn questioned.

"I don't know, but I don't like it." B'Elanna spat out, her eyes trained on the two retreating forms, watching for any signs that Tom was taking advantage. Her muscles tense for action if he so much as touched Seven. "He better not try anything."

Looking at her chief engineer, Kathryn hoped for Tom's sake that he didn't either.

Part 12

Tom led Seven to the opposite side of the messhall from B'Elanna and the Captain. He may have been surprised by his ex's apology, but that didn't mean he was fooling himself into believing she wouldn't try something at the next opportunity. Seeing him in an intimate discussion with her replacement for his affections would be just what she needed to send her into a Klingon rage, possibly resulting in further damage to his precious face.

Seven was more interested in why B'Elanna had suddenly decided to apologise to the helmsman than in what the man wanted to discuss, although she did hope it wasn't a further attempt to engage her in a romantic affiliation. If that were the case she planned on setting him straight and informing him she was already involved with the fiery half Klingon, and that it would be advisable for him to refrain from further flirtatious behaviour, as B'Elanna was likely to cause him severe physical pain if he did not.

"I'm glad we've finally got this chance to talk alone." Tom began as soon as he judged they were out of earshot of the other messhall patrons. "Although I will admit the setting lack the ambience I would have preferred." Here he inserted his patented schoolboy grin.

"Our location is immaterial Ensign, what is it you wish to speak to me about?" Seven's voice was clinical, lacking any trace of emotion.

Tom incorrectly surmised Seven's lack of warmth was due to her nervousness about the future of their relationship, and he secretly found it quite charming that the young woman was so effected by the possibility of his rejection. Still he didn't want her to worry unnecessarily, especially as she might then go crying to the Captain, and land him in more trouble with the mother hen. "I spoke with Captain Janeway this morning."

"I see." Seven knew that the Captain had been made aware of her relationship with B'Elanna and so presumed she had informed Mr Paris.

"From what the Captain said I got the impression you were taking the relationship seriously, is that so?"

"I.." Seven wasn't sure if she should be discussing her feelings for B'Elanna with Paris, but human mating rituals were so complex she was unsure. The fact was she wanted to tell people how much she cared for the other woman, and even if Tom wasn't the ideal candidate for revealing such things, she still couldn't stop herself from telling the truth. "Yes I am taking this very seriously."

"Good." 'I knew she was in love with me' his inner voice cried, but seeing the unsure look that crossed the pale features at his response, he thought Seven might still be unsure of his feelings. "I'm really glad you're taking things seriously, love is a precious thing, not to be taken lightly."

"Indeed." A beautiful smile captures Seven's face, making her seem younger and more filled with life. "I would never take our love lightly." A rosy blush suffused her cheeks as she realised this was the first time she had admitted that it was indeed love she felt for B'Elanna, and that she'd ascribed the same feeling to the amazing half Klingon.

"I want you to know how happy that's made me." The endearing smile that accompanied the words was not totally fake, Tom had been surprisingly touched by the level of feeling the blonde expressed, and even began to wonder if in time he could share those feelings.

"It does?" Seven was still suspicious of his sudden support for her relationship with B'Elanna, she would have thought after being dumped he would hold some resentment against the person who took his place in the Klingon's affections.

"Yes, Seven, it does." Stepping slightly closer, Tom laid a hand on Seven's shoulder. "I don't want you to ever doubt how happy that has made me."

Seven just nodded, unsure how to answer and slightly worried that if Ensign Paris didn't soon withdraw his hand a rather tense looking half Klingon engineer would race across the messhall and remove it for him.

"I'm sorry but I have to go now, duty calls and all that." Tom withdrew his hand and plastered on an apologetic look. "Perhaps if you are free tonight we could continue our discussion?"

"I'm afraid that is impossible Ensign." Seven informed him, failing to mention she also didn't see the point of further contact. "If testing progresses as scheduled I will be required in engineering, to monitor the false visual data for our escape from the sun's corona."

"Of course." A gleam entered Tom's eye as he remembered the Captain's idea of a party to celebrate their eventual release from the sun's protection. "But then we do have the party Mr Neelix is organising to look forward to. The soft music and slow dancing is a perfect time for lovers, I am sure you will enjoy it."

For once Seven also thought she would enjoy a social function. The idea of dancing that close to B'Elanna was conjuring up some very pleasant feelings throughout the ex-Borg's body. "I am sure you are right."

"Err.." The look that for a moment crossed Seven's features was enough to steal the words from Tom's mouth, and make him anxious for the party's arrival and his chance to fulfil whatever fantasies the young blonde was currently imagining. "I really have to go."

"Goodbye Ensign."

"Bye Seven, and please call me Tom." Charming smile number three, and Tom headed for a cold shower before his scheduled piloting lesson.

Back at the table B'Elanna watched the two like a hawk, waiting for any sign that the helmsman was bothering Seven. Her watchfulness wasn't missed by Kathryn, who was keeping her own eye on the pair, but she did want to distract the young woman before she did something silly, like attacking Tom for standing too close.

"I was pleased to see you apologise to Ensign Paris, it shows a level of maturity more in keeping with your position as chief engineer." Kathryn hoped the reminder of B'Elanna's responsible post would also help to keep her temper under control.

"Thank you Captain." B'Elanna tore her eyes away from Seven and helmboy to concentrate on Janeway, not that she really wanted to but it would be impolite to do otherwise, and the last thing she needed was to anger the Captain. "I realise my striking him was wrong," 'but enjoyable', "and I will try to act more professionally in future."

"I'm glad to hear that." Kathryn reached out and placed a hand over B'Elanna's fist as it bunched on the table. "I know it must be hard, seeing the two of them together, and worrying that he might hurt her."

"Yes." Smiling at the Captain, B'Elanna felt some of her tension ease. It was unlikely Tom would try anything here, not with Janeway only a few metres away. "It's silly really, if there's one person on the ship who can protect themselves, it's Seven, but..." Her words trailed off as still fresh images of the weeping blonde replayed in her mind.

"Physically yes, but emotionally she's more vulnerable than anyone I know." Her own fears provoked, Kathryn looked over to satisfy herself that the young ex-drone was okay. "I don't think Tom kissed her to be cruel, he just doesn't think."

"His stupidity isn't much comfort when she's crying her eyes out." B'Elanna's voice rose, and her eyes once again sought out Seven, only to find the helmsman's hand on her. "The P'taq, he can't keep his hands to himself."

"Easy Lieutenant." A steel tone entered Kathryn's voice in an attempt to keep B'Elanna seated. "If the two of you are going to proceed with your relationship you will have to learn to control your temper."

"I know."

"B'Elanna, look at me!" Kathryn tugged at the younger woman's hand. "Seven is quite capable of telling him no. If she is as committed to your relationship as you maintain she won't let Tom near enough to upset her." Her confusion over exactly who Seven was dating had been calmed on seeing the two women together. Kathryn still intended to talk with the young blonde, but for now she was satisfied it was B'Elanna, and not Tom, Seven was interested in.

"Yeah, I guess." B'Elanna still found it difficult to control her instinct to protect the young woman, but even Seven had suggested she could more easily deal with Tom by the simple expedience of ignoring him. To clear her mind, and because the conversation between the other pair seemed to be coming to a close, she decided to mention something that had been on her mind for a while now. "Captain, there was something I wanted to discuss with you, in regards to Seven."

"What is that?"

"Well I know you've been helping Seven regain her humanity, but I believe there is one aspect of that which you have failed to address." B'Elanna made sure to soften her tone, she knew Janeway took her role as Seven's guardian seriously and wouldn't like being told she'd made a mistake.

"And what would that be Lieutenant?" A certain stiffness had entered her voice, but Kathryn tried to remain open.

"Seven's lack of quarters, of privacy."

"She has Cargo Bay 2." Her tone was slightly defensive.

"I know that Captain, but anyone can just walk in there while she's regenerating, and there's not a damn thing she can do about it." B'Elanna noticed Tom leaving and wanted to finish this before Seven returned to the table. "If she had her own quarters her privacy would be guaranteed, or at least as much as anyone else onboard."

"You have a point." Kathryn turned to see Seven approaching. "Once we're away from this sun I will talk with her about it, and accept any proposal you or Seven might have concerning the construction."

"Thank you Captain." B'Elanna smiled up as Seven arrived back at the table. "Hi."

"Hello." The two younger women shared a fond smile.

"If you're both finished with your meal I suggest we all get back to work." Janeway interrupted. "I don't know about you, but I'm anxious to have the testing finished and get out from behind this failing star."

"Yeah, we should get on." B'Elanna agreed.

"Yes." Seven added, her tone more animated than usual. "I am looking forward to being once again on our way to the Alpha quadrant."

Janeway smiled warmly at her young protégé, thinking she had finally grasped the crew's desire to return home. When in fact the only desire Seven had grasped was the one to dance with B'Elanna at Neelix's party. Without any further talk the three women departed for their various work stations, one on the Bridge and two down in Engineering.

Having calmed his libido thanks to the old fashioned remedy of an ice cold shower, Tom made his way to the Delta Flyer's hanger and his duty as piloting instructor. The fact that he was now twenty minutes late failing to register.

Unfortunately his tardiness had been registered by the four pilot trainees who, already dissatisfied with his teaching methods, had decided to confront him about his slipshod teaching. Once again Neelix was the one chosen to speak for the group, but unlike last time the Talaxian no longer felt awkward about approaching his friend. The hours spent following useless training regimes or waiting around for Tom to finally show up had gone a long way to souring his opinion of the helmsman, but what had proven the final straw was Tom's relationship with Seven. As half of a self appointed team of guardian angels, Neelix was very protective of the young former drone, and his feelings manifested themselves in uncharacteristic hostility towards Paris and his cavalier attitude.

"Right, let's get on shall we?" Tom asked in a jovial manner, failing as usual to notice their sullen disposition.

"Before we do I'd like to have a word, if you don't mind?" Neelix inserted before Paris could disappear inside the Delta Flyer.

"Well time is pressing Neelix." At this totally thoughtless remark Tom was lucky not to have been decapitated by Porter, the most agitated of the trainees, who was seriously contemplating throwing the spanner he was holding at Tom's head.

"I realise that, but this is important." Neelix's voice had taken on a tone of command that most would not have believed him capable.

"Fine." Tom walked to the side of the hanger, followed closely by Neelix and at a more seemly distance the other three trainees. "So what is it you wanted Neelix, we really don't have the time for any more delays."

"I am aware of that." The furry Talaxian tried stretching himself to his full height, but even doing so he failed to convey the menace he was aiming at. "If we are to be ready for the Captain's plan to evade the three.."

"Oh, apparently that'll take place sometime this evening, according to Seven." Tom supplied helpfully.

"This evening!" Neelix looked round frantically at his fellow pilots in training. There was no way any of them would be ready to perform complex flight manoeuvres by the evening. "We're not ready." He almost pleaded.

"Don't put yourselves down." Tom reassured blithely. "It's not as if anyone expects you to be as good as me."

"But how are we expected to perform adequately by this evening?"

"What?" Tom seemed puzzled for a moment. "Oh, no. You won't be doing any of the flying, well unless the plan fails and there're casualties. Even then it's unlikely."

"But I thought that's what we've been training for? To helm the Flyer and Voyager in the upcoming escape."

"Well originally we had planned on using you as the reserve pilots in the escape plan, but then the plan changed." Tom said this as though it was common knowledge, when in truth the details of the plan were known to only a few and he had been expected to pass on the information to those under him. "Didn't I mention that?"

"No you didn't." Neelix was considering letting Porter strangle Tom for worrying him.

"So you see there's nothing for you to worry about." With a friendly smile Tom was about to head on back to the Delta Flyer when a thought struck him. "You're in charge of the party for after our escape aren't you?"

"Yes, but I don't see what that has..."

"Great." Tom stepped in closer to the angry Talaxian. "I plan on the party being a very special occasion for Seven and me, and I could do with your help."

"Help?" Some of Neelix's anger was transformed into curiosity and dread as he heard Seven's name.

"I need to know some of the details of what you have planned; lighting, music and such." Tom had been formulating a plan for proposing to Seven all morning, and after her confessions in the messhall he thought the sooner he did it the better. "It's going to be a night Seven will never forget."

"I.." Neelix was unsure of what to say, Tom's words had provoked thoughts he would rather not have had. All he was sure of was that he needed to speak with the Doctor about this latest development.

"We'd best not talk here." Looking over Tom finally managed to see the impatience clearly displayed on the faces of his other trainees. "I think the others are anxious to get on. I'll visit you later this evening to work out the details." With that he departed for the Delta Flyer.

"So?" Porter demanded as he came up to join a still troubled Neelix.

"Huh?"

"What did he say?" Claire joined in.

"Is he going to resign?" York piped up in excitement.

"I don't know." Neelix mumbled, his mind far away from their training concerns. "I need to see the Doctor."

"Are you ill?" Claire asked in concern, she wasn't quite sure but she thought he'd gone a funny colour, then again that could be normal.

"No, I...It's Seven."

"Seven? What about her?" Claire persisted.

"I'm sorry, I have to see the Doctor." Neelix began moving rapidly towards the exit. "Tell Tom, tell him I suddenly felt sick." With that he left.

"So do you think he told Paris?" York asked, Neelix's odd behaviour having failed to derail him from what he saw as the main concern.

"I don't know." Claire sighed. "I wish I knew what he meant about Seven though."

"That was odd." Porter agreed, but like York his main concern was Paris's abilities as a trainer. "I just hope Mr 'I know everything' Paris has improved after Neelix's little talk, otherwise I'll have to introduce him to the end of my fist."

With nods of agreement the three made their way to the Delta Flyer.

In engineering B'Elanna and Seven had been working diligently on finishing the final tests for the false visual data. The Borg cloak had been successfully modified to emit a stream of false data that would disguise Voyager as a chunk of hurtling sola matter, while a set of photon torpedoes had been programmed to detonate close enough to the sun's surface to produce a chain reaction that would result in a burst of sola activity and a bombardment of matter throughout the system. Having completed their separate tasks the two women gathered in B'Elanna's rarely used office to await the final results from the various departments. If positive it would mean the escape plan could be put into immediate effect.

"What was the variance on the secondary manifold?" B'Elanna enquired as she began tapping figures into a padd.

"0.0016."

"Good." More figures were input. "What do you think the stress level of the primary junction will be?"

"If you wait for Ensign Taylor to bring you the results in approximately nine minutes, you will have the accurate figures." Seven reasoned, she thought it inefficient to speculate about the results when informed data would soon be available.

"Couldn't you just guess?" B'Elanna asked in exasperation, she didn't like having to wait like this.

"I could." Seven allowed. "But I won't."

Looking at the ultra calm ex-Borg, B'Elanna let a smile cross her face. "You know, despite how I feel about you. You can still be really annoying."

"Indeed." The tiny smile on full lips reassured B'Elanna that Seven hadn't taken offence.

"The big difference is I no longer want to strangle you." Smiling and moving closer B'Elanna lowered her voice. "Instead I'd much prefer to kiss you."

"As would I." Seven looked towards their security watchdog. "Although I fear now would be inappropriate."

"Yeah you're probably right."

"There is something I wished to ask you." Seven began. "Why did you apologise to Ensign Paris, I thought you were unrepentant over your actions?"

"I was, but after you left last night I did some thinking, and you were right, I should have just ignored him." A satisfied smile covered B'Elanna's lips. "Although I will admit that I enjoyed thumping him, but the repercussions are too high, and so to make sure they didn't get any higher I decided to apologise, in front of the Captain."

"I don't understand."

"Well according to Federation law Paris has the right to bring formal charges against me for attacking him. Considering the way he feels about me at the moment I didn't want to take any chances, so by apologising in front of Janeway I made it almost impossible for him to lay charges without appearing vindictive to his superior." B'Elanna's smile had by this time turned into one of smug satisfaction. "This way I guarantee we won't be kept apart for any longer than we have to."

"Acceptable."

"Now it's my turn to ask a question."

"I had not realise we were taking them in turn," Seven mused, "but go ahead."

"What was it helmboy wanted to talk to you about this morning?" Then remembering she had no actual right to the contents of Seven's private conversations added. "If it's not too private."

"He informed me that the Captain had explained our relationship, and that he was please for me." Seven couldn't keep the puzzled look from her face.

"Did you believe him?" To B'Elanna it sounded highly unlikely.

"On reflection I doubt the content of his words, but he did seem sincere when he said them." Seven replayed their conversation in her mind. "Whether he was being truthful or not is of little importance, Ensign Paris is insignificant."

"You're right, again." With a cheeky smile she added. "Now are you sure you don't want to guess at the stress level of the primary junction?"

With a raised ocular implant Seven went to see if she could find Ensign Taylor. Fifteen minutes later all the results had been collected and Captain Janeway was advised that the plan was now ready for execution. She immediately called a senior staff meeting.

Slightly out of breath Neelix rushed into sickbay, his sudden appearance causing the Doctor to speculate that a major trauma was on its way at the very least.

"Mr Neelix, what's wrong?"

"It's Seven." Neelix panted, he just wasn't used to running that fast and began to think he should have just walked.

"What about her? Is she hurt badly?" The EMH was beginning to show signs of panic.

"She's fine." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry if I alarmed you, to my knowledge Seven's perfectly well. I'm here because of Tom and what he.."

"What has he done? Did he hurt her?" The Doctor's panic was slow to recede.

"He hasn't done anything, yet." Neelix soothed. "If you'll let me, I'll tell you why I'm here."

"Yes of course."

"You know of the planned celebration for after we, hopefully, evade those enemy ships?"

"Yes." Puffing up his chest unnecessarily the Doctor added. "I have expanded my programing to include several new forms of dance, and..."

"Good, good." Neelix cut him off, all too familiar with the Doctor's love of talking about himself. "Anyway Tom has just approached me about making certain arrangements for the evening. I'm not sure what they are yet, he is going to meet me later today to go over them, but I do know one thing, they concern Seven."

"Concern her in what way?" The Doctor couldn't as yet see why the other man appeared so distressed.

"Well according to Tom he's going to make it a night Seven will never forget." Lowering his voice he added. "A special night for the both of them."

"That could mean anything." The Doctor dismissed before his imagination started working overtime. "But a special night does imply something big, something they haven't done before."

"Special for the both of them." Neelix added, waiting to see if the EMH came to the same conclusion he had.

"It could be any number of things." His words failing to reassure even himself, the Doctor turned a worried look on his friend. "He's gonna try and, and."

"Sleep with her." Neelix supplied solemnly.

"That's disastrous."

"Terrible."

"We have to stop it."

"But," Neelix didn't really want to raise this point but felt he had to, "what if Seven wants to sleep with him? Do we have the right to interfere in her decisions?"

"I suppose," The Doctor began agitatedly pacing around sickbay as he fought with his conscience, "I suppose ultimately the decision is Seven's, but that doesn't mean we can't offer her some guidance."

"It would only be right." Neelix agreed. "What about Tom? Perhaps we should have a word with him too?"

"Hmm, maybe we could point out to him the consequences of rushing someone like Seven." An evil gleam entered the hologram's eye. "It might even be prudent to explain exactly how her friends might react to her being hurt." Here the Doctor picked up a nearby sonic scalpel and began twirling it in his fingers.

Neelix gulped audible, "That should do the trick."

Part 13

On receiving word of the successful testing of the camouflaging apparatus from B'Elanna, Captain Janeway wasted no time in calling a senior staff meeting to get the escape attempt underway. The days of just sitting and waiting had done little for ship's morale and Kathryn just hated the feeling of uselessness that accompanied hiding. Hopefully, if things went well, they could be back on their way to the Alpha Quadrant in less than four hours, or as seemed more normal, back on their way to the next emergency or disaster.

Tuvok and Commander Chakotay were the first to enter the conference room, the two men appeared serious and calm, their involvement with the current situation had not been extensive, but still they were prepared to do whatever they could to rectify the problem. Next to enter was the Doctor, he seemed rushed, his walk hurried and a frown marring his face, as eyes searched the room in an urgent search for something. That something was obviously still missing because he soon took a seat and began drumming his fingers on the conference room table, a habit that was soon stopped with a look from the Captain.

Seven and B'Elanna entered together, they were still discussing last minute arrangements for the projects sequencing, unconsciously touching one another to make a point or add a suggestion. For anyone who really looked, which at that moment was limited to Janeway, it was obvious that something had changed between them. The Doctor, who looked up a few seconds after the Captain, failed to see this new closeness, his mind still fixed on the problem of Mr Paris and his wandering libido. He did manage to bestow a warm smile on the young blonde, and after a seconds thought, one of equal warmth and sincerity at her half Klingon companion. The EMH might not have been aware of the extent of Seven and B'Elanna's relationship, but he had noticed a definite softening of attitude between the two and if one person on the ship could fully explain Tom Paris' defects, it was his former girlfriend. Therefore, in case his own approach failed, the Doctor began to work out a way to convince the engineer to help him in deterring Seven from succumbing to Tom's seduction techniques.

Totally unaware of the thoughts they had sparked, the two women took their seats and waited impatiently for the remaining senior officers to arrive. Harry was soon seated and looking expectantly from the Captain to B'Elanna and then over to Seven, his eagerness to put the escape into practice was almost palpable. Last, as could have been expected, came Ensign Paris, his face at first showed little beyond vacancy, but when he came into sight of Seven his face lit up and a smile danced across his face. Unfortunately the Doctor decided to abruptly stand just as Tom was passing his chair, and said chair ended up hitting him rather forcefully in the stomach. The smile was soon gone, and amid the Doctor's insincere apologies could be heard the distinct sound of muffled laughter, decidedly feminine laughter.

"I think it's time we started, don't you?" Janeway's voice was granite as she looked from a smirking B'Elanna to the smug faced EMH. Her stare was met with looks of contrition and general eagerness to get on. Even Tom seemed to want things to begin, his expected response of whines and accusations were missing, as he just took his seat. "Fine, B'Elanna I'll let you explain the details."

"Captain." Pressing a button on her data padd B'Elanna transferred the information to the screen at the back of the room, and with an almost accidental brush of Seven's arm, made her way to the back of the room to begin her recitation of the facts. "This is a basic chart of our position at the moment. As you see we are entirely hidden from view by the sun's corona, but if we take any evasive manoeuvres we will come into range of the three enemy vessels in this sector here." She jabbed a finger at the three little triangles that represented the ships. It was at times like this that she felt most like a stuffy Star Fleet officer, laying out her proposals in an intricate and hi-tech manner, so different from the scrappy pieces of paper and flickering data terminals she'd had to use in her early days with the Marquis. Looking over at Seven, she admitted the benefits of looking like a button downed academy bore for a few minutes were a lot higher than anything she'd received while working with the Marquis. God she had it bad. "As you can see from the picture of the sun, the outer layer of..." B'Elanna's explanation lasted approximately sixteen minutes, and in that time she referred to Seven eleven times, garnering knowing smiles from Janeway and Harry, and a curious quirk of the eyebrow from Tuvok.

"Tuvok, how has the search for a suitable blast sight progressed?" Janeway turned her attention to her old friend as soon as B'Elanna had retaken her seat.

"From the astrometric and science data that has been collated, a location of higher probability has been ascertained." Tuvok passed a data padd to the Captain. "A spread of torpedoes launched at this time, over the specified area, has a 92.7% probability of producing the type of solar matter disturbance we require. However, we cannot guarantee the exact size or trajectory of the pieces of matter the explosion will produce."

Janeway nodded before looking over at Tom. "In the event of errant matter it is your job to make sure the ship stays out of the way of any danger, we will..."

"Don't worry Captain, I'm sure Voyager can out run anything that sun throws at us." Tom interrupted with a confident smile.

"You can't out run it!" B'Elanna exploded, wondering if the man had actually listened to a word of what she'd just said. "We have to look like just another.."

"Lieutenant!" Janeway snapped, if anyone was going to do the admonishing around here it was going to be her. "Mr Paris, I take it you are aware of your duties in this matter?"

"Yes ma'am." Tom shot B'Elanna a dirty look. "I didn't mean the comment literally. I realise Voyager needs to stay disguised among the other pieces of debris."

"Good." Janeway looked around the table, trying to dispel the less than pleasant atmosphere that had descended. Her stare landed on the Doctor, who was in the process of giving Tom Paris one of the most aggressive looks she had ever seen from the hologram, outside alien infection. She took a second to wonder what could have caused the animosity, the two had always had a less than friendly relationship, but never anything like the anger that appeared here today. It would seem Tom Paris was amassing quite a collection of adversaries of late, and if she were in a who dunnit Kathryn would expect him to keel over dead any second. Fortunately for Tom this wasn't a murder weekend. "Any more questions?"

"There was one thing Captain." Tom piped up, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to speed up his plans. "It's not exactly relevant to the actual plan, but I was wondering about the celebration."

"Surely there's plenty of time to talk about that later?" Janeway dismissed.

"Well.." Tom tried his most persuasive grin. "I would have thought after all the stress of the last few days, the crew could do with some form of relaxation and the sooner the better. Therefore I was gonna suggest we have the party tonight, once we're certain Voyager is in the clear."

"Tonight?" Janeway looked extremely sceptical.

The Doctor looked ready to explode at this news, he'd thought he or Neelix would have had a few days to talk with Seven and dissuade her from sleeping with Mr Paris, but if it happened tonight there was no way he could find an excuse to talk with her. "Captain, I would strongly advise against this." At Janeway's curious look the EMH scanned his data base for some rational reason to present to her. "The engineering and bridge crew will have been exposed to high levels of stress, as Mr Paris pointed out, and to suddenly be propelled into a social gathering could have psychological draw backs." The Doctor realised he was pushing it by the frown that appeared on Chakotay's brow, he knew that it was common practice among the marquis to celebrate any victor when you could, just in case you didn't survive much longer. "Waiting a day or two would allow the crew some time to relax and more fully process all they had been through."

"This is not a major battle, I fail to see the need for such concern." Seven countered, it was unusual for her to comment on such trivial matters as parties, but on this occasion she was eager to share her first official date with B'Elanna and any delay was annoying.

The Doctor looked at Seven with a worried frown. He hoped that his young friend didn't already know of Paris' plans, and was actually anticipating them. "It's for the best Seven, believe me, you'll thank me one day."

The odd comment was met by a curious look from Janeway, but at the moment she had more important things to think about. "This is not the time to discuss the matter, I will consult with Mr Neelix about the party, only after we are away from danger. You are dismissed."

Tom rose from his seat and quickly walked round the table in the hopes of talking with Seven, and laying the ground work for his proposal. Seeing the ensign approach, the EMH stood and he too began walking towards Seven, slightly knocking against Tom in the process.

"Watch it." Tom muttered, his voice low so as not to arouse Seven's attention. "Before I rearrange your programming." The last part was so low not even the Doctor heard what he'd said.

The doctor just ignored him, bestowing a friendly smile on Seven and B'Elanna as they turned to observe the two approaching men. Seeing Tom about to speak the EMH cleared his throat unnecessarily, attempting to get everyone's attention, but before he could say anything the Captain's voice interrupted the quartet.

"Seven, can you stay behind for a moment."

With Seven's ascent the Doctor, Tom and B'Elanna left the conference room, each sparing the young blonde a fond look on their way out, but it was only the half Klingon's smile that was returned by the younger woman.

On entering the turbolift B'Elanna was less than pleased to find that Tom Paris was accompanying her, but she at least had the comfort of the Doctor's company, which would mean she didn't have to be alone with her ex.

"Shouldn't you be manning the helm?" She accused, worried that Tom was about to do something to upset all of their hard work.

"I just have to have a word with my trainees." Tom said importantly, his chest puffed out. "Then I'll retake my post, long before I'm needed for your little disappearing act."

B'Elanna bristled at his tone but managed to keep her tongue, not wanting to get into any more arguments. The remembrance of Seven's appraisal of the ensign as 'insignificant' did a lot to curb her impulses, that and simply zoning Tom out to concentrate on her more important project, where to take Seven on their first official date.

"Are you looking forward to the party?" Tom asked, interrupting her thoughts with his smarmy voiced question. He thought now would be a good time to start digging at B'Elanna's single state, only to have her mistake in dumping him compounded when she saw him propose to Seven. That was a time he was looking forward to, almost as much as his wedding night, or if his luck and charm held out, the night of his proposal.

"Party?" B'Elanna looked at him blankly, not sure why anyone would be worrying about a silly party when they were in the middle of a crisis.

"The celebration." Tom tried once again. "Personally I can't wait for a chance at a bit of dancing and fun." He smirked at the last word, his intentions lost on B'Elanna but earning a stern look from the Doctor.

"Oh, that." B'Elanna just wished the turbolift would hurry up and arrive at her floor and spare her any more of this idiot's ramblings. "I doubt I could go, I am under house arrest remember?"

"Oh." Tom's brow furrowed, he needed B'Elanna at the party.

"Perhaps the Captain will permit you a reprieve in order to attend?" The EMH offered, he too wanted B'Elanna to be at the party, as she could prove a stumbling block to Tom's plans. "I could have a word with her for you."

"Thanks, but I don't think she'll change her mind." B'Elanna was pleased by the Doctor's offer, although she didn't quite understand why anyone would be overly concerned with just another in a long line of Neelix's parties.

"I could speak to her too." Came Tom's uncharacteristically generous offer. "I mean it was because of our little, erm disagreement, that she put you under arrest, so if I talk to her she might let you go."

The Doctor and B'Elanna both looked at the helmsman as if he'd just grown another head, although the EMH did start to get a worrying idea as to the man's intentions.

"We'll see." Crossing her arms B'Elanna hoped she'd conveyed her disinterest in the conversation.

"Seven seemed eager to attend the party." The Doctor addressed his comment to B'Elanna, but it was really Tom who he was aiming his words at. "It's lovely to see such innocent excitement from her."

"Well maybe she has something special to be excited about?" Tom tried desperately to hide his smile, just in case he gave away anything of his intentions.

B'Elanna just stared at him, her thoughts suddenly focused back on Seven's unusual interest in the party. They had never really talked about it, but it was more than possible the younger woman had expected them to attend the event together, as their first real date. If that were so, B'Elanna would hate to disappoint the young beauty and would even accept Tom's help if it meant she could give Seven the date she deserved. But just in case Janeway decided to continue her confinement to quarters, B'Elanna wanted to figure out a way to make it up to her young love.

"She is a very special young woman, but she does lack experience on some matters." The doctor turned his gaze to Tom. "It is our responsibility to make sure nothing untoward happens to her."

"Yeah, sure." The helmsman totally missed the intention of the EMH's words.

"I wouldn't be the only one upset if anyone took advantage of her innocence." The threat inherent in the Doctor's words was obvious to B'Elanna, but missed entirely by Tom.

"I.." B'Elanna cleared her throat nervously, feeling like she'd just been brought before Seven's father to explain her intentions. "You don't have to worry about anyone taking advantage of her, I wouldn't let that happen."

The Doctor smiled at the nervous woman, thinking she'd just pledged to keep Seven safe from Tom's hormonal advances. "I'm glad to hear that B'Elanna, I always thought I could rely on you in that regard."

B'Elanna spared him a small smile, her mind taken up with the idea that maybe she was taking advantage of Seven, or planning to do so. Ever since the night the younger woman had turned up at her quarters and they'd come closer than ever to consummating their relationship, she'd thought of nothing so much as being with Seven. Hour spent imagining what it would be like to touch that perfect body, to feel her growing excitement. Then more time spent planning how and when they could be together, every detail researched to guarantee the perfect date, the perfect time for them to finally make love. Kahless! She was acting like a hormonal teenager, obsessed with sex. No worse than that, she was acting like Tom Paris. That last thought truly disgusted B'Elanna, she wanted to express her feelings for Seven not treat her like some conquest. She needed to slow things down, no matter how tempting she always found Seven, she couldn't let the younger woman do something she might not be ready for. They would be together, she hoped, one day, but not until Seven was totally ready.

"B'Elanna?"

She turned to look at the Doctor, her mind still occupied with thoughts of Seven. "Yeah?"

"This is your stop." The Doctor was looking at her rather oddly and she realised she'd been standing like a mannequin in front of the open doorway for several seconds. With a curt nod she left the turbolift and headed to main engineering.

After making sure the last of the senior staff had exited the conference room, Kathryn Janeway made her way to an impatiently waiting Seven of Nine, and placing a hand on the young ex-Borg's shoulder encouraged her to sit.

"Is there something about the project you wish to discuss Captain?" Seven probed. She would normally have waited for her commanding officer to state the nature of their meeting, but she was anxious to get back to engineering. "We are due to begin in less than fifteen minutes."

"I'm aware of that Seven, and don't worry I won't keep you long."

"Acceptable." Seven clasped her hands on the table in front of her and gave Janeway a 'get on with it' stare.

"This is the first time I've had the chance to speak with you alone since I heard about your burgeoning romance." Kathryn stopped herself from saying B'Elanna's name just in case she'd read the signs wrong and it was Tom, Seven was dating. "I just wanted to let you know that I was here for you to talk with, if you had any questions or worries." Kathryn reached out and placed her hand over Seven's on the conference table. "It's perfectly normal to have some doubts or concerns when entering your first serious relationship, and if I can be of any help I will."

"I appreciate your offer Captain." Seven looked down at their joined hands and experienced a warm sensation course through her body. It was nothing like what she felt when B'Elanna touched her, the intensity and passion of even the slightest contact with the half Klingon set her skin on fire, but the feeling was welcoming and it too made her feel loved. Seven was about to rise when she recalled that there was one thing she needed assistance with and that the Captain would be someone with experience on the subject. "I do have one question Captain."

"Yes?" Kathryn gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. "You can ask me anything Seven, whatever it is stays between the two of us."

"Thank you." Seven took a second to rethink how best to phrase her enquiry. "How do I go about instigating a sexual encounter?"

"What?" Kathryn's eyes bugged slightly on hearing the words.

"I wish to know how best to instigate a sexual encounter." Seven repeated. "Is there some special procedure? A certain pattern of events that is usually successful?"

"I.." Kathryn was only now beginning to understand why her mother had cringe so noticeably when she'd begun informing her of how and with whom she'd lost her virginity. Openness and honesty was fine in theory, but hearing someone you considered almost a daughter talk about sex was extremely off putting. "Do I take it that you haven't, erm, been with this person yet?" 'Please say you haven't.' Kathryn thought to herself, while at the same time sending out a prayer for forgiveness to her mother.

"Not yet." Seven's brow crinkled in frustration. "I tried to initiate our first time, but B'Elanna said we should wait."

"Good." The word escaped Kathryn's lips before she could stop herself. It applied to both the restraint of her chief engineer and that it was indeed the half Klingon and not Mr Paris who Seven was dating.

"I fail to see what is so good about it." The frustration on Seven's face had multiplied dramatically. "I may have agreed with B'Elanna at the time, considering the restrictions on our movements due to 'your' orders, but I fail to see why that is good."

"I'm sorry Seven. I only meant that it was good B'Elanna wanted to take her time." Seeing the irritated look on her young friend's face Kathryn decided she had to add something a bit more promising. "It shows she's serious about your relationship."

The soul stealing smile that crossed Seven's face was all the proof Kathryn needed that the ex-Borg was also extremely serious. However, being Borg, Seven didn't let a little diversionary tactic keep her from the original question. "I still wish to know how to initiate a sexual encounter."

"Right." Kathryn fought to stop the blush she feared was making its way to her face, starship captains do not blush. "Perhaps it would be best if you allowed B'Elanna to initiate your first encounter?" Kathryn offered, hoping B'Elanna would continue her plans to take things slow.

Seven didn't look happy with this piece of advice. "Are you suggesting she take the lead because of her experience or because she is part Klingon?"

"Huh?" It wasn't the most articulate response but it did give Kathryn's mind the time to analyse the new angle she had previously overlooked, B'Elanna's Klingon nature. "Does the idea of her more aggressive Klingon side frighten you?"

"No, I am Borg."

"You were Borg, you aren't anymore." Kathryn moved slightly closer to Seven, hoping to convey the seriousness of her question. "Have you thought about how B'Elanna being part Klingon might effect the physical side of your relationship?"

"Are you suggesting that B'Elanna would hurt me?" Indignation was plain in Seven's clipped tone.

"No, of course not." Smiling gently Kathryn hoped to settle her overly emotional friend, the strangeness of the thought only registering a few moments later. When had Seven become so in tune with her emotions? If it was a side effect from her feelings toward B'Elanna, the relationship could only be seen as a positive thing, so far. "I trust B'Elanna not to knowingly hurt you, but I just wanted to make sure you were aware of any possible problems before hand."

"I do not believe B'Elanna's aggression, if she should choose to display it, will be a problem." A smile of a more erotic nature passed Seven's lips for a moment. "I believe we are quite evenly matched in that respect."

"Oh."

"Is, is it normal for someone to think constantly of being with someone else?" Seven questioned shyly, the almost predatory look of moments before gone in a show of innocent insecurity. "I do not mean just in a sexual way, but just to be near them to talk with or touch?" She had actually been concerned about the frequency of her daydreams featuring B'Elanna, and the amount of time she seemed to spend on planning their future encounters.

"I think it's perfectly normal." Kathryn replied wistfully, "When you're in love."

Seven just smiled at her friend, any words she may have spoken interrupted by the activation of the comm. link.

<Torres to Captain Janeway.>

"Yes B'Elanna?" Kathryn couldn't keep the smile from her voice as she witnessed the sparkle that seemed to enter Seven's eyes on hearing B'Elanna's voice.

<We're about ready to begin Captain, we're just waiting for Seven to arrive.>

"Understood, she'll be there shortly, Janeway out." Kathryn spared a look at Seven, who was already rising from her chair. "You'd best not keep her waiting."

"Captain." Seven nodded before heading towards the doors, her stride momentarily halted as she realised the Captain had never actually answered her question, or at least not in any way she found useful. It would appear she would have to work out the details for herself, but that was fine, she was, or at least had been, Borg, she would adapt.

Part 14

Striding onto the bridge, Kathryn Janeway tried her best to put the recent conversation with Seven from her mind. It wasn't easy. Knowing that the young woman was actively pursuing a sexual relationship, even if she hadn't actually performed the act itself, was rather disturbing. It wasn't that she disapproved of Seven's choice of partner, after some thought Kathryn had realised that B'Elanna was an ideal match for her young charge. They were both highly intelligent, single minded, obstinate, loyal, honest and probably too much for anyone else on the ship to handle. A match made in heaven, or at least the weirdness that was life in the Delta Quadrant. No, Kathryn had no objections to Seven's choice. She objected to the thought of her child taking that final step into adulthood.

Shaking her head, Kathryn took her place on the bridge and attempted to focus her thoughts on the, somewhat precarious, retreat they were about to put into action. It didn't work. As she brought up the sensor readings for the projected trajectory of the torpedoes, all Kathryn could see was Seven's openly inquisitive face as she asked about the best way to initiate a sexual encounter. It was one of the few instances when Kathryn Janeway had been truly flummoxed. Rationally she knew Seven was a grown woman, with the sexual urges of an adult, but that hadn't stopped her from picturing the younger woman as a naive child who was in someways reliant on her for instruction. Not in matters of science or engineering, but in matters of humanity.

She should have realised that Seven wouldn't wait around to be hand-fed every advance in her growing self discovery. It was so like the young woman to make this giant leap in her individuality without asking for any help. Kathryn punched a few more buttons to access the latest systems checks from engineering, her mind slowly beginning to focus on her task. Seeing Seven's ID affixed to one of the reports, Kathryn knew the young woman had made it back to engineering and in record time. This brought a smile to her lips, as she recalled the eager anticipation that had flashed across Seven's once impassive face, as she was allowed to rejoin B'Elanna. It was a sight that made Kathryn mourn the loss of her own first love, while at the same time rejoice in Seven's new-found happiness. She just wished that happiness hadn't included discussing sexual strategies with her.

Kathryn's sigh garnered a concerned look from Chakotay, who immediately began scanning the data on his console to see what had brought about the melancholy sound. Kathryn ignored him, knowing she only had a few minutes to settle her mind before they began their escape attempt and the best way to settle it was by working through her problem. So leaning back in her chair, Kathryn tried to order her thoughts into a logical pattern that would have made Tuvok proud.

She was disturbed that Seven was anticipating taking such a giant step, as making love for the first time, without asking for her advice or blessing. At the same time, she was also disturbed when Seven came to her to discuss the means by which to precipitate her first sexual encounter. The contradiction wasn't lost on Kathryn and it brought another smile to her lips. Tuvok was right, she was acting like an overprotective mother. She needed to let go and allow Seven to make her own decisions, while waiting patiently in the wings to offer guidance and support. She just prayed that guidance could bypass further talks about sex.

Engaging the comm. Kathryn hailed engineering, the sound of B'Elanna's calmly authoritative voice reminding her that it was the young half Klingon who would be guiding Seven through this next stage in her growing humanity. Then recalling Seven's determination when discussing her plans to instigate a sexual encounter, counter to B'Elanna's wishes to take things slow, Kathryn sent out a little prayer for her chief engineer. The young woman didn't stand a chance.

Having been given the order to proceed by the Captain, B'Elanna signalled her engineering team to activate the modified Borg cloak, that would camouflage the ship as a piece of floating solar matter. It was a delicate procedure, that required constant adjustments from her team to counteract the interference from the dying sun's radiation and constant vigilance to detect any problem areas related to the enemy vessels' sensor capabilities. All their hard work could be made useless in less than a second if the vessels' sensors were able to see past their disguise and then it would simply be a matter of running as fast as they could and praying they could somehow evade the other ships.

"All systems are at peak efficiency," came Seven's controlled voice, as her fingers flew gracefully across a console.

B'Elanna watched as Seven's hands seemed to caress the console, finding the action oddly arousing, until she remembered her decision to slow down their relationship. Silently she chastised herself for letting her hormones get the better of her, again. "Right. Prepare for torpedo launch sequence."

Seven contacted Tuvok on the bridge to co-ordinate the launch of the torpedoes. Her specific task in the forthcoming procedure was to monitor the sensor readings from the sun's corona and to chart any shifts in activity that could alter the expected consequence of the torpedoes detonation. After the torpedoes had detonated, Seven became responsible for tracking the solar debris and plotting a course that would keep them from colliding with any of the objects, while at the same time making it appear that they were just another lump of molten rock. "Torpedoes launched." She informed B'Elanna and the rest of the engineering team, her blue eyes never leaving the stream of sensor readings that cascaded down her console. "Detonation in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Detonation sequence complete."

"Shields at 72%." Vorik intoned, calmly diverting all excess energy to bolster the shield matrix that would protect them for the millions of tiny particles that had been sent hurtling through the system by the explosion.

Seconds after the detonation, Captain Janeway had given the order for Voyager's departure and the ship had began a spinning motion away from the sun. The readings B'Elanna spied on her console made her glad the inertial dampners surpressed any feeling of motion for those inside, otherwise the constant rotation would have made her sick to her stomach by now. She briefly wondered how those on the bridge were handling the sight of the stars swooping across the view screen, in a carnival ride of galactic proportion. She hoped for their sake the Captain had turned the thing off, or perhaps just restricted the view to the chief pilot. Green was such a good colour on Tom.

"Why are you laughing?" Seven asked quizzically, her voice low so as not to attract the attention of those around her.

B'Elanna spared the other woman a fleeting look, noting how the young blonde was managing to keep abreast of her work while at the same time garner her with a questioning gaze. "An... Illogical thought." B'Elanna finally answered, not sure how to easily explain her wish to see Tom vomiting his heart out on the bridge.

An ocular implant rose, but Seven said nothing, too absorbed in the newest readings from the sensor array. "I am detecting a large piece of solar material on a direct course with Voyager. Impact in one minute twenty-eight seconds." Seven fed the information to the helm, along with the latest report on the positions of the enemy vessels, all of which had moved after the initial explosion.

On the bridge, Tom received the latest reports from Seven, which not only indicated the threat of the approaching rock but the imminent arrival of an enemy ship. He had been briefed countless times on his duties during the present mission; to keep Voyager's speed and trajectory in accordance with the other pieces of debris, to avoid collisions with any substantial pieces of solar matter and finally, to keep as much distance as possible between Voyager and the three enemy ships. At the time he'd thought it a 'piece of cake', now he wasn't so sure.

With less than two minutes to make his decision, Tom put aside his usual bravado and nonchalance and let his instincts take over. For once he wasn't trying to impress anyone, or score brownie points to further his career or chances with the ladies. His sole concern was to save his own life and that of everyone he knew. The man now at the helm of Voyager was very different from the boy who usually piloted the ship; for those precious moments Tom became the man he should have been; responsible, intelligent and brave.

"Enemy vessel approaching." Came Tuvok's voice, the Vulcan's monotone drowned out by Tom's frantic thoughts and calculations. "They will be within optical range in one minute eighteen seconds."

With those words the tension on the bridge intensified. They all knew of the dangers of optical sight, where Voyager was so close to an enemy that they could literally see the ship with their own eyes. For all their technology and the hard work of the engineering team, they had only ever managed to find a way to fool the other ships' sensors and computer networks. The simple notion of someone actually getting close enough to see Voyager unaided by sensors was normally too farfetched to be seriously considered.

"Brace for impact!" Tom shouted, working too fast to inform his commanding officers about the course of action he was attempting. "Aft-shields to maximum."

Changing the rotation of Voyager by 0.89 degrees and increasing their speed by 2%, Tom set them on a collision course with a lump of molten solar matter the size of a large city. The rock's size alone was enough to flatten Voyager like a tin can, but add to that its velocity and you had a disaster waiting to happen. In a matter of seconds Voyager's, dimmed, view screen was consumed by the sight of the approaching rock, its bulk blocking out even the rays of the nearby sun.

"Collision in ten seconds." Tuvok announced, at the same time bracing his hands against the side of the tactical console.

Tom was glued to his sensor readings, waiting for the exact moment when the rock totally obscured them from the view of the enemy vessel. When that moment came, he increased the power to the impulse engines for two seconds, while changing their heading by a further 4 degrees. Voyager closed in on the rock, impact now unavoidable.

"All hands brace for impact." Janeway shouted over the comm., her announcement coming too late for most, who found themselves buffeted from one side of their work station to another, as the two objects slammed into each other.

Voyager shook, the shield matrix close to buckling under the extreme pressure, before Tom once again engaged the thrusters. Using the proximity of the rock for a block, Voyager pushed off in the opposite direction, its previous speed and rotation once again attained.

"Damage report." Kathryn ordered, still uncertain about what had just happened. "Mr Paris, mind telling me why you decided to play chicken with a speeding asteroid?" Her voice was agitated, but not yet angry.

"One moment Captain." Tom replied, as he diligently re-calibrated his flight path sensors. "Using the rocks own momentum and rate of rotation, I calculated that an increase in our own speed and a minor change in angle, would allow us to safely rebound from the rock's surface." One look at Kathryn's face told him she wasn't as yet satisfied. "The changes were minute and as such would go unnoticed by the other vessels, while at the same time allowing us to alter our course and take advantage of the rock for protection."

"Protection?"

It was Tuvok who answered, having received the latest report on the position of the enemy vessels. "Captain, it would seem that by altering course, we have become masked by the 'rock' from all direct sensors and optical readings. We are of course, still visible by indirect sensors but these have so far proven to be fooled by our cloaking device."

"So they can't see us." Kathryn bestowed a warm smile on the helmsman, for the first time in days she actually remembered why she'd allowed him to become a member of the senior staff. "Good work Mr Paris. Although a little warning next time would be appreciated."

"Yes ma'am." With those words and the praise of his captain still ringing in his ears, the conscientious pilot was once again transformed into the boy pilot who was trying to work out how to best use his latest success to his own advantage.

<Torres to the bridge. What the bloody hell are you doing up there?>

The collision with the rock had left the engineering team scrambling desperately to maintain the shields and protect them from the force of the crash. Sparks rained down from one of the relay conduits on the upper tier, where several of the systems had shorted out, and several of the engineering team where nursing injuries inflicted by the sudden and momentary loss of the inertial dampners.

Still smarting from the bump to the head she had received in the collision, B'Elanna hailed the bridge only to be assaulted with the news of how masterful Tom's piloting had been, while at he same time receiving a reprimand for her language. Looking around at the mess that had assailed her engine room, B'Elanna just wanted to flatten Tom and send him to the Starfleet equivalent of drivers ed.

"Ensign Paris' rather unorthodox approach seems to have produced exemplary results." Seven commented, having read the sensor logs concerning the event.

B'Elanna just looked at her incredulously. "Look what he did to my engine room!"

"We are experiencing temporary difficulties." Seven acknowledged. "However, his handling of the situation did enable us to not only avoid the large piece of solar material, but to further mask our signal from the approaching enemy vessel."

B'Elanna looked ready to argue but was forestalled when Seven passed her a data padd containing the particulars of Tom's actions and quickly moved off to help Vorik with the shield enhancements. Reading through the data, B'Elanna had to admit that Seven was right, Tom's actions had been exemplary and very probably saved them from being detected. She just wished he could have done it without reducing her engine room to a junk yard.

"Shields are at 87%." Seven informed her, having retaken her place at the main sensor console. "It should be sufficient to protect the ship from further damage until we have adequate time to make repairs."

"Good." B'Elanna handed Seven back the padd. "You were right about Tom, he did do a good job." After scanning her own console once more, she added. "I guess I sometimes forget what a good pilot he really is."

"His skill in that area does seem to be above average." Seven concurred.

"It's a good thing really." B'Elanna added with a smile. "Otherwise there'd be no reason to keep him alive."

Seven looked at her in mock surprise, before the tiniest of smiles edged her lips. "Of course, once the new pilots have been trained, that reason would no longer be relevant."

The two women took a moment to share a fond smile, before carrying on with their duties and helping to put as much distance between them and the enemy as possible. Until finally the Captain announced they were out of immediate danger and going to warp.

To Be Continued

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