Appreciating Paris
By RalSt

Part 5

Tom Paris slicked back his hair and attempted to straighten his already straight collar. It was not often he went to the trouble of precision dressing when thinking of setting up a romantic encounter, but on this occasion he thought it would be appreciated. The woman he was about to subject to the famous, in his mind at least, Paris charm wasn't your run of the mill ensign, swept off her feet by tales of daring-do and a casual image. No this particular woman would need a different approach, a smarter approach, but Tom was confident that in the end she would succumb to his winning smile and boyish good looks. He had stayed awake for hours the night before going over B'Elanna's treatment of him, and coming up with the perfect way to get back at her. His initial plan had been to attract the attention of one of the Delaney sisters, and then flaunt his new found love interest before his ex, but Tom knew that B'Elanna would be less than impressed with him turning up with either of them, so he began to look for someone else to make the fiery tempered half klingon jealous.

Having gone through a list of possibilities it was not until after he had disregarded Claire Mortimer, thinking that Harry probably wouldn't be too thrilled, that he thought of the perfect person, Seven. Tom had taken a few minutes to berate himself about his oversight, but he just wasn't used to seeing the cold ex-borg as a potential date. Once he had thought of her though his mind was made up, she would be perfect. Of all the people both male and female on the ship Seven was the one B'Elanna had the most arguments with, and complained about the loudest. Their recent halt in hostilities not disguising the fact that the two were bitter rivals, and seeing him walk into a room with Seven on his arm would send B'Elanna into a fit of anger and jealousy. Standing now in the corridor leading to Cargo Bay 2, Tom couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping his lips as he thought of B'Elanna's response. Each time he pictured it her face would get redder and her pleas for him to take her back more pathetic, a snort this time escaped him, he was most definitely looking forward to that. There were other advantages to choosing Seven, not only was she despised by B'Elanna, but half the men and a large number of the women on board would love to get close to the blonde beauty. He would have men lining up to shake his hand and beg to be told how he managed to capture the elusive woman, no matter what his rank, if he tamed the untameable borg he would get the respect he craved.

Tom once more peeked around the corner to see if Seven had left her cargo bay, he had arrived twenty minutes before she was due to leave but didn't want to take the risk of missing her. Having decided that Seven was the one, his next concern had been how to woe the unapproachable woman. Thinking about it for the first time he realised that no-one had ever seriously tried to start a relationship with Seven. Harry had shown the barest signs of interest and been offered copulation, which for some reason he'd turned down, then that Chapman guy had got his arm broken before he could even steal a kiss, and as for the Doc, he couldn't even work up the courage to tell her how he felt. The poor woman was probably desperate for someone to take an interest, and who better than him, Tom thought.

Hearing a noise from the corridor Tom poked his head round the corner to investigate. There stood Seven, fifteen minutes early for her duty shift and about to head in the wrong direction. Trying to walk at an increased pace while appearing casual Tom set out in pursuit, his stride proving no match for the long legged woman.

"Seven," he called after her disappearing form, "wait up."

Seven looked behind her at the helmsman, his interruption a possible delaying factor in her extra morning activity, a delay she had not accounted for in her schedule. Not wanting to, but knowing it the polite response, Seven slowed down to allow the man to catch up. Sometimes she really wished these people didn't care so much about rudeness, but B'Elanna and the Doctor would both be displeased if she was deliberately rude to anyone, so she waited. "You require something Mr Paris?" Seven asked, continuing to walk down the corridor once he was by her side.

"Yes Seven, you." Paris smiled one of his more winning smiles at the woman, his efforts slightly hampered by having to jog to keep up with her.

"For what purpose?" Seven increased her speed but noticed with regret that the man still insisted on following her, she wished he'd just tell her what he wanted rather than engage in what she assumed was his attempt at charming banter.

"I.." Tom put out a hand to stop Seven's progress, anyone would think there was a fire, he thought. "I need you to take a look at some tactical projections I have been working on for the Delta Flyer." Seeing Seven look at him for the first time he knew he'd chosen the right approach, with the workaholic types you had to lure them in with talk of a shared project then slip in the romantic gestures when they weren't expecting them. "I thought it best to approach you rather than B'Elanna, seeing as her feelings might still be hurt over our breaking up."

Seven's implant arched at hearing this, she might be relatively new to human mating rituals but she knew that it was usually the party that had been rejected who displayed signs of hurt feelings, not the one who had ended the relationship. Still if this kept the man away from B'Elanna she was happy, not that she thought the half klingon would ever take him back, but Seven found herself uncomfortable with the idea of Paris spending too much time with B'Elanna. "I am expected in engineering in twelve minutes, can this wait?"

"Sure Seven, how does thirteen hundred hours in holodeck one sound?"

"Acceptable." Seven started walking again, "now if you don't mind I need to speak with the doctor."

"That was just where I was headed," Tom lied, "it would be my pleasure to escort you." He made an expansive gesture with his hands and picked up his pace to match Seven's.

Seven was about to point out that she did not require an escort, but knowing the time left before she started her shift was running out, decided to just ignore the man.

The doctor was rechecking the accuracy of his new medical tricorder for the third time when Seven and Tom Paris entered sick bay. The hologram was overjoyed to see them, well the former borg at least, the ship's stationary orbit and current restriction on recreational use of the holodeck had left him with few patients to see, and the heavy workloads of his usual visitors had meant they were unable to make time for purely social visits. Looking at Seven he was relieved to see she was uninjured, and the fact Mr Paris wasn't screaming for assistance was proof enough he was unharmed, so this was either a social call or his vast expertise was once again needed.

"Seven, Ensign Paris, how may I be of assistance?"

Seven looked at the inquisitive man who had insisted on following her all the way here, and beckoned the doctor closer. "May I talk with you in your office Doctor? Alone." At the last word she gave the helmsman a hard look, if it hadn't been for him she could have concluded her business by now and been back in engineering, she was not going to allow him the chance to overhear her private conversation.

"Of course Seven," the doctor led the way into his office, once away from prying ears he turned to his friend, "is there something wrong?" Her insistence on talking privately was unusual, and had worried him.

"There is nothing wrong Doctor." Seven assured him. "I just wished to ask for your assistance on a personal matter once the current situation is resolved."

"What personal matter?" The doctor unconsciously lowered his voice and moved in closer to Seven, a move she actually appreciated as it blocked Tom's view of their conversation.

"I wish to further study personal relationships." Seeing the hologram didn't quite follow her she simplified, "I want you to recommence your lessons on dating." After the events of the previous day Seven had begun to imagine a future relationship with Lieutenant Torres, but she was worried that her inexperience with these matters could damage her forming bond with the other woman. Although his previous lessons on dating had failed to provide her with a suitable romantic partner, Seven did not consider this the doctor's fault, as at that time she had not considered the lieutenant a possible candidate, so the endeavour was doomed to be unsuccessful.

"I thought you said there was no-one on Voyager you felt a suitable candidate for romance?" Even though he harboured his own feelings for Seven, the doctor was her friend and interested in who she could have suddenly found worthy, plus this could turn out to be a great piece of gossip and he would love to be able to say he knew about it before anyone else.

"I was wrong." Seeing the doctor about to launch the first in what she knew would be a thousand questions, Seven turned to leave. "Will you recommence the lessons?"

"Yes of course, if that's what you want."

"It is." And with that Seven left the doctor's office and headed out of sickbay.

"See you later Seven," called Paris, who had stayed around to see if he could catch what the other two had been whispering about

The doctor came out just in time to hear this and see the wink that accompanied his words, even if Seven hadn't. Surely she couldn't be thinking of Mr Paris, the doctor thought, but it was rather a coincidence that she would approach him about dating the day after Tom became available. If it was possible for a hologram to feel depressed then he was, of all the people on board why would she fall for Paris?

In engineering the three person think tank of B'Elanna, Seven and Harry Kim, had been working for hours on coming up with alternatives to using the cloak to escape detection by the three mystery ships. At first their individual approaches to solving the problem had clashed, but with time they had managed to form a good team enhancing and testing each others ideas. One such idea had been to disguise Voyager and leave under the metaphorical noses of the waiting ships. The existing borg cloak, although useless for trying to hide their appearance, was perfectly able, with modifications, to make them appear as something else. The question then arose of what object of Voyager's size could be seen by the other ships leaving the sun's corona without immediately arousing suspicion. It had eventually been agreed that if they could create a small solar eruption and flare on the sun's surface, followed by chunks of varying degree of stella matter leaving the sun, then Voyager could mingle in with them without attracting attention. The added bonus of this idea was that by making it appear that the dying sun had suffered a solar expansion near where they were hiding the other ships might, with the aid of wreckage left behind, believe that Voyager had been destroyed and call off its pursuit. The first thing they had to establish was that Voyager could be sufficiently camouflaged to fool the other ships, so the three set about entering all the data they had into a computer simulation.

Harry tapped another set of numbers into the computer, all of their tests had so far come back successful, but it was this last full test that would tell them whether or not their idea had merit. At the opposite console B'Elanna and Seven watched the data as it was displayed, each double checking the computer's results.

"That's the last series done." Harry called over, unable to contain the excitement in his voice.

"So far everything seems okay." B'Elanna told him, although equally excited her years in engineering had taught her never to start celebrating until the final result was in. Looking over at Seven she couldn't help but marvel at the concentration and speed with which she was able to perform her task, at the same time a tiny part of her just wanted to reach up and place a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"Alpha series has come back positive." Harry shouted, it was now just a case of waiting for Seven to tell them the results of the Beta series. The young man wanted to rush over to the others and try and peek at the results first hand, but knew that interrupting either of them could earn him a quick trip to sickbay.

Seven finished with her last set of data, and facing B'Elanna gave her a small smile before speaking, "The final test was successful."

"Yes!" Came a shout from Harry Kim.

B'Elanna threw her arms around a startled Seven and pulled her in close for a hug, eyes glinting with excitement the engineer was about to follow up her hug with a kiss to the surprised face when she realised where she was, and reluctantly released her grip on Seven. "Erm, well done Seven." B'Elanna murmured, hoping she hadn't turned red.

"It was a group effort Lieutenant." Seven forced from her suddenly dry mouth, the feel of the other woman pressed up against her had been unlike anything she had experienced. Few people on board ever touched her, even accidentally, she supposed many were still afraid of her borg heritage, while others just recoiled at her cold demeanour. Of those with whom she had shared contact, none had ever made her feel this excited or confused. She was unsure how to respond to B'Elanna's embrace, her instinct being to reach out and return the gesture, making it last much longer, but seeing the other woman's shy look she wondered if perhaps the chief engineer was embarrassed to be seen so intimate with her in front of the engineering team. Self doubt began to enter the former drone's mind. It hadn't been that long ago that B'Elanna had seen her as nothing but a borg, would she really welcome Seven's affections now? Even if she did, would the rest of the crew? Other peoples opinions, except for a select few, were not that important to Seven, but how would B'Elanna react to their disapproval, because Seven was sure that most people would disapprove of anyone getting involved with her.

"Seven?" B'Elanna whispered, the look on the blonde's face worried her, "are you okay?"

"Yes Lieutenant, fine." And as B'Elanna placed a reassuring hand on her back Seven slowly began to mean it.

"So, should we run the results through the holo-simulator before taking them before the Captain?" Harry asked, breaking into the women's quiet conversation.

"Yeah good idea Harry." B'Elanna agreed. "Do you want to help him with that or start on the modifications?" she added, turning towards Seven.

"Neither at the moment Lieutenant. I am due to assist with flight simulations in eight minutes." Seeing B'Elanna's down turned look Seven quickly added "I will return in thirty minutes."

"Okay Seven, we'll wait for your return before heading up to see the Captain." B'Elanna then watched as the shapely ex-borg left engineering, her eyes lingering on the doors that now obstructed her view. She had found herself doing that a lot lately, observing the young woman as she moved or stood motionless. For over two years she had been aware on a superficial level of the other woman's beauty, but before it had been as an annoyance, another borg perfection. Now it was different, it wasn't just that B'Elanna had finally admitted feeling a physical attraction to Seven, but the mere sight of her had begun to fill the half klingon with a sense of comfort and happiness.

"What's up Maquis?" asked Harry as he came round to join B'Elanna at her console, the unheard of sight of the chief engineer embracing the astrometrics officer had been enough to pique the young man's interest, but the look on B'Elanna's face as she watched Seven had both astonished and intrigued him. Getting used to them not fighting over every tiny detail had been hard but trying to understand what he thought he saw developing between them now was nearly impossible, if kind of sweet.

"What?" B'Elanna tore her eyes away from the door to try and concentrate on the source of the interruption. "You want to start on the holo-simulation now?"

"Yeah sure in a minute." Harry crossed his arms and smiled at his friend, "So what's going on with you and Seven?"

"Nothing!" was the half klingon's quick but rather squeaked reply.

"Come on B'Elanna, you don't exactly go around hugging everyone you meet, especially not Seven, but unless my eyes are playing tricks that's exactly what you just did." Harry's smile got bigger as he saw his friend start to squirm, it wasn't that he liked to see her distressed but it was nice to once have the upper hand. "So what's going on?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Harry, maybe you should get your head examined along with your eyesight." Heart thumping B'Elanna strode off to the other side of engineering, leaving a still smiling but slightly confused Harry behind. Stopping by the rail surrounding the warp core B'Elanna took a breath to steady her racing hearts. Her response to Harry had been an instinctual one, born from years of guarding her private feelings from others. Now she wasn't so sure that had been the right response, her feelings for Seven were so new and powerful that she needed someone to talk to about them, and of all the people on the ship Harry was one of the few who could empathise with her feelings. From their conversation earlier in the week she knew he still cared for Seven, but not in a possessive way that would try to deter her feelings. Unsure of what to do B'Elanna resolved to wait until after her duty shift to decide whether or not to discuss her personal life with Harry or anyone.

Tom Paris had cut his piloting lesson short by over an hour so he could get everything ready for his 'date' with Seven. The tactical data he had lured her to the holodeck to see had been formulated and tested by Tuvok and himself that morning, but the thing that had taken all his time was coming up with a way to make a flight tactical briefing romantic. So the grid outline of the original Vulcan produced tests had been erased in favour of a starry night sky, an exact replica of the star formation seen from on board Voyager, including the spectacle of the dying sun, but with one small difference. Instead of looking at these stars from the ship they were seeing them from the shores of a tranquil beach, with waves gently lapping at the sand and the smell of flowers in the air. The setting was near perfect for his purposes, the precision of the star formation and the brilliant battle plan he had come up with would impress Seven's analytical side, and while he was doing that the atmosphere would work to relax her.

At precisely thirteen hundred hours Seven entered holodeck one, she was keen to get this little demonstration by Mr. Paris over with as soon as possible and get back to her work. Considering the new approach they were developing to escape the hostile craft it was more than probable that these flight plans would not be needed, but until the Captain officially approved their new idea the flight details still had to be checked.

"Ensign Paris, why is the holodeck not set up for the tactical demonstration?" Enquired Seven looking around at the wet scenery.

"It is Seven." Seeing the implant rise on her pale brow, Tom continued in his most charming, but still professional, voice. "Look up, that's a perfect replica of our surroundings, including in the distance the three ships, which if you like we can call one of three, two of three and three of three." Tom smiled at that one, he knew how Seven liked to give out borg designations to those she was supervising, so figured by giving them to the ships he'd gain a few points in his favour.

"And the liquid?" Seven pointed toward an incoming wave.

"The beach?" Tom shrugged, "It's just part of the original program. To save time and resources I simply changed the configuration of the sky to match our needs, but I didn't bother altering the rest. I didn't think you'd mind about such incidentals."

"Fine." Seven didn't believe Paris, but wasn't about to waste time trying to understand the man's holodeck obsessions. "Shall we begin?"

"Okay, this is the first simulation based on...." For twenty-five minutes Tom proceeded to show and explain the various tactical scenarios to Seven, and except for a few observations or corrections connected to the theoretical workings of the cloak, the ex-borg remained mute. She found the patterns made by the ships as they danced about the pretend sky rather beautiful, the practical nature of the dance, for her, adding to its appeal. It was at rare moments like this, when only having to deal with him on a professional level, that Seven began to appreciate the helmsman's skill and worth to the ship. Now if only all their meetings could be like that. "That's the final set. Any questions Seven?"

"No, the work seems to be acceptable." The tactics in fact had been very well thought out and applied, catering for all likely situations, which did make Seven think of one question. "Did Commander Tuvok assist you with the tactical aspects of these demonstrations?"

"Well a little, you know in the fine tuning." Tom was anxious to distract Seven from asking too many more questions about Tuvok's involvement in the project, and to move on to the real reason he had requested her presence here. Coming to stand close to the tall woman Tom pointed out the dying sun in the sky, its warm colours casting a glow on all that surrounded it. "Beautiful isn't it? Hard to believe that even in death a star can look so magical."

Seven nodded, she wasn't the sort given over to talking poetic about natural phenomena but she could appreciate the aesthetics of the sight.

"A setting like this just makes you want to share it with someone special, someone who you know will find it as delightful, and romantic as you." Tom stared into Seven's face as he said this, trying to convey his interest and measure if it was returned.

Tom's words did have an effect on Seven, although not quite the one he had been hoping for. In her mind she imagined bringing B'Elanna to this spot, and seeing the other woman bathed in the light from above. The image was so strong that she couldn't keep the smile and look of longing from her face, a look that Tom thought was directed towards him. Thinking his seduction had been successful Tom leaned in towards Seven's lips. The former borg, distracted by thoughts of the other woman, was slow to respond as he forced his lips onto hers.

The shock of having a mouth suddenly attach itself to hers and a tongue try to push its way inside was too much for Seven. She pushed the lecherous man from her, having to rein in her natural inclination to strike, then abruptly turning, left the holodeck without saying a word. Once outside she was appalled to feel a tear running down her cheek.

Tom stood in the holodeck with a smile beginning to light up his face. It might not have been one of the longest first kisses he'd ever received, but he knew that once the shock and excitement of her first kiss had passed, Seven would be back.

Part 6

B'Elanna Torres was impatiently pacing the small space behind her console, her eyes locked on the main doors to engineering. The holo-simulation she and Harry had been working on had been completed successfully fifteen minutes earlier, and the two of them were now waiting for the return of Seven, who had gone to inspect flight tactical scenarios, a return that should have occurred eight minutes ago.

"Where is she?" B'Elanna demanded, coming to a stop in front of a patiently waiting Harry.

"She's only a couple of minutes late, it probably just took longer than she thought." Harry reasoned, his concern at the moment was more to do with getting something to eat. That was always one of the risks with working for long periods with either B'Elanna or Seven, neither seemed to ever stop for the normal things, like food or rest, when there was an emergency on. He wouldn't have been surprised to walk in this morning to find a camp bed and portable regeneration unit set up, so neither woman had to waste the time of going to their own quarters for the forced rest. "She might have stopped off for something to eat." Harry added, even though it was a stupid suggestion he thought it might just remind B'Elanna that mere mortals, such as himself, needed food.

"She said she'd only be thirty minutes." The agitated half klingon restarted her pacing, she didn't know why but Seven's unusual tardiness was making her feel uncomfortable. "Computer, what is the location of Seven of Nine?"

"Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay 2." Came the computers feminine reply.

"See, she's just popped back home for a minute." Harry reassured, smiling he thought that if she wasn't too much longer they could finish the demonstration for the Captain, and still make it to the mess-hall before all the normal food had been taken. The way his stomach was starting to rumble he didn't think he could handle one of Neelix's delicacies, especially as they would be re-heated ones he had prepared before being assigned to pilot training. "I'll just ask her how long she's going to be."

"No!" B'Elanna got in quickly as the young man started to reach for his comm. badge. "I, erm," she tried desperately to find a reason for him not to contact Seven, even while at the same time trying to understand her own reasons for thinking it would be a bad idea. Then a part of Harry's previous conversation, a part she hadn't really been listening to, registered and she smiled, "I think we should just use this opportunity to take a break. I mean I don't know about you but I could do with something to eat."

Harry did a double take, he couldn't quite believe those words had come from the same workaholic he had known and admired all these years, there was definitely something odd going on around here today. "Sure B'Elanna, that sounds good, but what about Seven? Shouldn't I tell her we're taking a break?"

"Don't worry, I erm.. I need something from Cargo Bay 2 anyway, I'll just fetch it on my way to the mess-hall and inform Seven then." Without waiting for a reply B'Elanna started to walk out of engineering, but she did take a quick peek over her shoulder to make sure Harry was following, and that he didn't try and contact Seven.

On entering the cargo bay B'Elanna didn't at first see Seven, but then as she started to move towards the container racks on the left hand side, she heard a slight noise coming from behind the borg console. Still not seeing anything B'Elanna's apprehension grew, but then as she moved a little further towards the borg alcoves she saw her. Seven was sitting on the edge of the borg regeneration unit, her arms wrapped protectively around her knees and her head buried in her lap. Her posture alone was enough to concern B'Elanna, but it was the slight tremble in Seven's shoulders that had the half klingon racing to her side.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Came B'Elanna's quiet plea. She was kneeling in front of the obviously distraught woman, trying to get a look at Seven's face, but the other woman refused to look at her. "Please Seven, tell me." This last request was accompanied by a gentle caress of Seven's borg enhanced hand as it gripped tightly to her leg.

"Nothing," was Seven's choked response.

Using her other hand B'Elanna reached up and began to lightly stroke Seven's hair, it was an unconscious gesture, something she remembered her father once doing to take away the pain of a nightmare, before his leaving caused them to become regular events. "It must be something Seven or you wouldn't be sitting her like this."

Seven's head shot up, her eyes were puffy and red, with the tear tracks obvious against her porcelain skin. "No! It is idiotic. I am idiotic." She then used her arm to wipe the moisture from her face. "I am borg. I should not be concerned with these stupid human customs. All these emotions, they just make you weak, turn you into this." Here Seven pointed to her tear ravaged face. "I am sorry Lieutenant, I shall return to duty immediately."

"No Seven." B'Elanna said, managing to grab the fleeing woman before she could make good her escape. Sitting her back down, B'Elanna took a seat next to the now quiet former drone. The half klingon, turning her body to face the younger woman, gently used her right hand to pull Seven's face up to look at her. "You are not idiotic, nor are you borg." Seeing the ocular implant raised at the last part of the statement B'Elanna couldn't stop her fingers from moving up to lightly trace the edge of the implant. "You were borg, now you're just, well just you." Seeing a trace of a smile fleetingly cross Seven's face, B'Elanna felt able to continue her questions. "Seven why were you crying? Please, I need to know."

"Ensign Paris kissed me." Seven almost whispered, her eyes drawn to the floor unable to look at the other woman as she admitted to what she was sure was an idiotic reason.

"What!" It was B'Elanna's turn to jump to her feet. "Did he hurt you? Seven you have to tell me, did he touch you?" Seven was rather startled at this response, but that was nothing compared to the shock she received as the fiery klingon continued. "I'll kill him. If he thinks he can hurt you like that and get away with it, I'll rip out his heart and let Neelix serve it up as an entree."

"Lieutenant! He did not do anything." Seven cut in, the look in the klingon's eyes made her fear she would actually carry out her threat.

"Don't worry Seven he'll never touch you again, or anyone else." The homicidal woman turned to leave the cargo bay and make good on her threats.

"B'Elanna!" Seven caught hold of the retreating woman's hand and pulled her to a stop. "He did not do anything. It, it was all just a mistake."

"What do you mean all? What else did he do?" B'Elanna still wasn't ready to call off her plan of revenge.

"Nothing Lieutenant, he just kissed me." Seeing the deadly look return when she mentioned the kiss, Seven tried to better explain the situation, even if she was uncertain about her own reactions to the events. "I believe Mr. Paris thought I had responded positively to his romantic overture. I was distracted and he mistook my responses for a willingness to enter into a physical relationship. I mean my willingness to allow him to kiss me." Seven quickly added as she saw the dangerous look sparkle back to life at the mention of the word physical. "It was only one small kiss, I left as soon as it happened. I over reacted, I am sorry Lieutenant."

"You've nothing to feel sorry for Seven." B'Elanna retook her seat, keeping hold of Seven's hand she cupped it in both of hers, hoping to convey her feelings through the connection. "But, if it was just a misunderstanding, why were you so upset?"

"I... " Seven looked down to their joined hands, hoping to be able to say this without sounding childish. She wanted B'Elanna to see her as a capable woman, someone who perhaps she could one day have feelings for. "I've never been kissed before, I, well the doctor and holonovels and most everyone else always said that a first kiss was meant to be special. I just wanted it to be that way for me too. Then when Paris kissed me, I thought that it was just another of life's pleasures that I would never get to have, and I guess it just reminded me of all the other things I never got to experience growing up. I just wanted this one thing to go right, to be able to share it with someone special, with... " Seven's voice trailed off.

"With who?" B'Elanna managed to ask gently, even though her klingon half was at that moment seething to get its hands on Tom and make him pay for taking away what should have been a joy for the beautiful young woman, a young woman who had already been denied so much.

"With you." Seven answered honestly.

B'Elanna just stared at the beautiful young woman before her, even though she had felt the closeness and attraction that had grown up around them over the last few weeks, it was still amazing to think that Seven would want to share with her a moment that she obviously thought very precious. The anger and worry she had been feeling since entering the cargo bay left, to be replaced with a burning sense of pride and happiness that enfolded her twin hearts. How B'Elanna wished she could have been the one to offer that first kiss, how she would have felt honoured to have been allowed that privilege, but through the thoughtlessness of another they were both forever denied that. "I would have liked that very much, Seven."

Tentatively Seven reached out her free hand to trace along the half klingon's jaw, her fingers moving up to vaguely comb through the dark hair, marvelling in the silky texture. Watching as B'Elanna closed her eyes and moved in to the caress, Seven wanted so much to just reach down and place her lips on those of the other woman, but still she hesitated, unused to the idea of any of her dreams coming true.

As B'Elanna opened her eyes she saw the look of want mixed with trepidation that inhabited Seven's eyes. She wanted so much to just reach out and kiss her, but held back a moment not wanting to rush in, like Tom, before she was certain this was what Seven really wanted. Ever so slowly B'Elanna leaned forward, keeping her eyes fixed on the barely breathing blonde, then when she was a mere breath away from those tempting lips she stopped. "Yes?" she asked in a voice deep with want.

"Yes." Seven breathed, her reply caressing B'Elanna's face as their lips brushed softly against one another for the first time. The contact was so fleeting and delicate that for a moment Seven thought she may have imagined it, then those precious lips returned to give her another glimpse of perfection.

B'Elanna pulled away, her eyes searching Seven's face for a clue to how she was feeling. Her own hearts were racing with built up passion, the tiny kiss having released a tidal wave of emotion within her, all of it focused of the woman in front of her.

Seven opened her eyes, not sure exactly when she had closed them, her index finger reaching up to gently touch her lips. "I was wrong."

B'Elanna felt her hearts constricting with those three words, to find what she thought was a special connection with Seven only to have her denounce it. The proud and fierce klingon felt tears starting to well up in her eyes, opening her mouth she was trying to think of something to say to change what had just happened, to make things perfect again.

Seeing B'Elanna about to speak, and the look that washed over her face, Seven reached out and placed her fingers over the other woman's lips. "I was wrong in that what Mr Paris did could not have been a kiss. What he did does not compare to what just happened." Having explained herself Seven took her fingers away from those oh so tempting lips, but she couldn't resist the urge to caress them once more with her thumb, the softness of them was so compelling. Her breath catching in her throat a those same lips parted to engulf the tip of her thumb in a kiss. Sliding her hand around to the back of B'Elanna's neck, Seven leaned in to once more taste the delicate lips for herself.

B'Elanna could feel her desire beginning to take hold as Seven's mouth once more sought hers, as their lips touched and she felt the pressure of the hand at her neck easing her forward, she opened her mouth to allow her tongue to gently graze the full lips. Seven's sharp intake of breath was soon followed by an opening of her mouth in invitation, an invitation that B'Elanna quickly accepted.

The velvety caress drew a whimper from deep in Seven's throat, her arms instinctively trying to pull her partner's body closer, her need for contact growing with each brush of B'Elanna's tongue against her own. Her body was experiencing new sensations, sensations she wanted desperately to prolong and explore, while at the same time the shear magnitude of all these new feelings was overwhelming to the inexperienced woman.

The noises Seven was making were driving B'Elanna into a frenzy of desire, her hand reached down to caress Seven's thigh, moving up to her hip to pull the other woman even closer to her. The need to feel Seven's body under her was growing increasingly strong, the feel of the biosuit becoming an obstacle to the smooth skin she wanted to reach underneath. The need to make love to her beautiful, vulnerable, inexperienced, wonderful, former borg was getting so strong that B'Elanna knew she had to stop. Stop now before things went too far. She didn't want to have to hold Seven again as she cried about another first time ruined. When it did happen, and she knew it would, then she was going to make sure it was something special. So easing back she ended the kiss, Seven's whimper of loss calling her back for one final brush of lips.

Feeling the kiss come to an end Seven opened her eyes. Her body felt as if it was on fire, every part crying out for attention, attention that only B'Elanna could provide. As her breathing started to return to normal Seven felt grateful that B'Elanna had ended the kiss when she had, although her body was crying out for more, she didn't know if she was ready for any more right now. The kiss had been special, more than she could have imagined, and she wanted to explore her physical relationship with B'Elanna, but she just needed time to adjust to it, and she thought smiling, plenty more kisses.

Seeing the smile that lit up Seven's face, B'Elanna couldn't keep an equally enthusiastic one from her own, but as the desire slowly started to recede she once more became aware of her surroundings. Cargo bay 2 wasn't exactly the ideal place for a romantic encounter, the thought that someone could have walked in on them was very disturbing, she would really have to talk with the captain about providing Seven with some measure of privacy. "I'm sorry Seven, this wasn't exactly the most romantic place for our first kiss." Reaching up B'Elanna replaced a blonde lock into the bun from which it had escaped. "Next time, if you want a next time, I'll try to make it somewhere more special."

"This is somewhere special, or at least it is now." Seven reassured. "But next time you may choose the location if you wish."

B'Elanna smiled at the confirmation of a future, and already started to work on the problem of where to take a former borg drone on a date, but practical matters soon started to vie for attention. "Seven, as much as I don't want to we should be getting back to work. I told Harry we'd meet him in the mess-hall, he's probably half way through his second desert by now."

"Yes of course Lieutenant, shall we go." Still smiling Seven got ready to head back to work.

"Hold on a minute Seven," getting a clean handkerchief from her pocket B'Elanna began to wipe the last traces of the tears from the normally pale face. Once satisfied that although still slightly red Seven's appearance was back to normal, B'Elanna couldn't resist reaching up and placing a quick kiss on the end of the surprised woman's nose, "okay, you're all set."

Lost for words Seven started walking towards the exit.

"Hold on, you called me B'Elanna." The half klingon suddenly remembered.

Seven looked back, but instead of speaking she just smiled an enigmatic smile and left the room, soon followed by a very pleased engineer.

Part 7

The four trainee pilots stood around outside the Delta Flyer waiting for their instructor to show up. Tom Paris was already fifteen minutes late, and when Neelix contacted him to enquire about the delay, Tom just brushed him off and said he wouldn't be too much longer. All four of the trainees had other duties they could have been attending to, and although they realised the theoretical value of the training, the reality was that they spent most of their time just listening to Paris going on about his supposedly heroic deeds. This latest delay was just adding to their dissatisfaction with Tom and Porter, who was normally one of the engineering team and rather proud of that fact, was trying to organise the others into making an official complaint to Janeway.

"Yeah I know he's late, again, but he was on ship's business." Claire pointed out.

"But that's my point," Porter continued, "he ended our morning session early to attend to the tactical flight demonstration, which I know is ship's business, but why, when he's meant to be training us in preparation for escaping those enemy ships, didn't he let Tuvok do it? I mean it was Tuvok who came up with half the stuff anyway."

"He did?" asked Neelix.

"Of course he did."

"Porter's right, I saw Tuvok working on them." Claire agreed.

"Well, erm." All eyes turned to face the fourth trainee Ensign York, a quiet man who became embarrassed easily, "I just thought he might've taken us with him." Three sets of eyes were now looking at him slightly baffled. "I meant to the tactical display. That is part of what we're meant to be learning, isn't it."

"Well yes, I guess that would have been useful." Neelix conceded, of all the trainees he was the one most hesitant about complaining to Janeway. It wasn't that he didn't agree with what Porter was saying, he thought Tom was being very lax in his teaching, but Paris was a friend and even if at times he was very, very annoying, running to the Captain to tattle on your friends was not something Neelix felt comfortable doing.

"Useful? I would have thought it was a vital part of our training." Porter's rather angular face was becoming a progressively darker shade of red with each sentence, "If he can't organise our training better we should get someone who can."

"Like who?"

"Well what about.." Porter was interrupted as the doors to the hanger opened to reveal a chirpy looking Tom Paris.

"Good afternoon everybody, are you ready to get started?" Tom began, totally oblivious to the tension in the room. "I have a feeling today's session is going to be the best yet." Here he looked around to give each of them his most smug smile, silently praying someone would ask him why he was so happy.

"Well it doesn't exactly have that high a standard to break, does it?" Porter looked round at the others to get them to agree, and one by one they began nodding in affirmation of his comment.

"Great, great." Tom mumbled, still oblivious to his group's dissatisfaction, "I think today is just my day, nothing could possibly spoil it."

"Oh you think not?" Porter started moving in real close to Tom in an attempt to cower the other man, but his move was halted by Neelix's restraining hand. "Come on Neelix, we have to do something." Porter agitatedly whispered.

Before either man could decide on their next course of action Tom had left to take up his place inside the Delta Flyer. Neelix made to follow but was stopped by Porter, "So are we going to do anything or just accept this like a bunch of sheep?" The man's tone was hard, but he knew they needed Neelix's support if they were to take the matter further. Even though Neelix held no Starfleet rank he was still closer to the command of the ship than any of the others, and more than that he was seen by most of the crew to be fair and as such any complaint by him would hold more weight.

"Let's just see how today's session goes." Neelix began, then seeing Porter about to interrupt quickly added, "if there's no improvement I'll talk to Tom." At this point it was Claire who seemed ready to protest, "and if that doesn't work I'll talk to the Captain." Neelix looked at the others waiting to see if any more complaints were forthcoming, "Okay then?" At this the other three nodded and then proceeded to board the Delta Flyer.

Inside the ship Tom was happily entering data into the navigational controls, his whistling reverberating around the small cockpit. The whistling was a new thing from Tom, but Neelix was sure that within minutes it could easily aggravate his tense crew to the point where they would happily throw him out an airlock. Therefore as Morale Officer, he saw it as his job to stop the murder before it could take place, and one easy way to stop Tom whistling was to get him to talk about his favourite subject, himself.

"So Tom, how come you're so happy today? Did you find a wormhole to the Alpha quadrant or something?" Neelix gently teased.

Finally Tom thought, he had been waiting for someone to ask since he arrived, "Oh no, something better than that." The helmsman was desperate for news of his relationship with Seven to circulate amongst the crew, and especially to B'Elanna, but he didn't want to just blurt it out. No, he wanted to play the romantic hero and have them slowly coax the details from him, and as there weren't really any details beyond the one kiss to tell, he thought adding a slight sense of mystery and chivalry to the affair might make it seem all the more exciting.

"What could be better than a way back home?" Porter grumbled.

"Surely you have to know the answer to that?" Tom said turning to face Porter, then winking at Claire added, "The love of a beautiful woman of course."

"Hurumph."

"Oh really Tom, did B'Elanna take you back?" The idea surprised Neelix, he had been witness to the break-up and wouldn't have thought B'Elanna would change her mind, but then again he had never understood why they were together in the first place. Perhaps it was to do with her Klingon nature.

"No!" Tom momentarily let his happy face slip, the reminder of B'Elanna's rejection was not something he wanted to deal with, now or ever. "I happen to have found someone else, someone quite unique."

"Oh?" Four faces were now turned to him in curiosity, all the previous animosity forgotten at the prospect of hearing some fresh gossip. "Anyone we know?" asked Claire, and considering they were stuck together on a ship of only around a hundred and fifty people, it was more of a prod for the name than a real question in itself.

"Well I don't really like to say." Tom tried out the chivalrous bit, it wasn't really him but it would work for the short term, as long as the others did their part to cajole the name from him.

"Is it one of the Delaney sister?" York piped up from the back.

"No. Look guy's I really shouldn't say." Waiting a beat Tom let out his first clue, "I mean she's not used to dating and I wouldn't want everyone knowing putting undue pressure on her."

Four minds could almost be seen going over and rejecting possibilities, "So she has dated, just not a lot?" Porter tried to clarify.

"Come on guys give me a break, okay? Besides her other date didn't really count." Work it out someone, Tom thought, maybe he'd have to start mentioning nanaprobes or something to get them on the right track.

Neelix looked rather shocked for a second before shaking his head of the ridiculous idea, still she was the only one he could think of who'd only been on the one date. No, it couldn't be, there was no way Seven would date Tom, it was a ludicrous thought.

"What?" Claire whispered to the Talaxian, "You know who it is don't you?"

The other trainees crowded round Neelix to better hear the gossip, and Tom did his best to listen in while appearing disinterested. "No! I mean I thought I did, but she wouldn't, even though she is the only one who fits the description, but still it can't be her." Neelix starts shaking his head, "No it's not her."

"Who?" "Who?" "Who?"

"It's a silly idea." For all that's sacred Neelix, tell them Tom thought, "but the only person on the ship I can think of is Seven."

"Seven?"

"Huh?"

"No way."

Four sets of unbelieving eyes then turned to stare at Tom.

"Oh no, look don't say anything will you, Seven and I just want to keep this quiet for now." Inside Tom was doing a happy jig.

"Okay." "Sure" "Hmm" "Not a word"

Four now sombre and very confused pilot trainees then turned to their stations, hoping that their instruments hadn't suddenly changed configuration in what must be an alternate reality.

Neelix was quickly making his way towards sickbay, the idea of Seven dating Tom Paris had been playing on his mind all afternoon and he thought if one person besides the Captain would know the truth it would be the doctor. Not that he didn't believe Tom, only it just didn't seem right. Entering sickbay he was about to activate the EMH when he saw the doctor slumped in his chair apparently going over files.

"Hello Doctor, I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

"Not at all Mr Neelix." The doctor stood up and made his way to the other man grateful for the interruption of his thoughts, thoughts that had been centred on Seven's discussion with him that morning about continuing her lessons on romance. It wasn't so much the lessons he had been thinking of, but the possible recipient of those teachings, Tom Paris. For hours the hologram had tried to convince himself that he was wrong in presuming Seven's interests were directed at the helmsman, after all she had never shown any feeling towards him before, but still he couldn't get over the timing of the request and Tom's knowing wink to the former borg. "So how may I be of assistance? You don't look to be in pain."

"No, no I'm fine never been better." Neelix reassured.

"And so naturally you came to sickbay."

"Well you see I wanted to ask you about something."

"Of course." The doctor could practicably be seen to grow in height as his ego inflated, "and which of my many fields of expertise do you need assistance with? A particularly difficult anatomical problem." Here the doctor took an unneeded breath to give Neelix the once over, "Or help of a psychiatric nature? Or perhaps in the field of music and the arts?"

"No nothing like that." Neelix interrupted. "I wanted to ask you about Seven."

"Seven? What about her?" Suddenly thoughts he had been trying to forget were once more at the front of the doctor's mind.

"Well I was talking with Tom and.."

"Oh no, so it's true?" The Doctor interrupted.

"About them dating? That's what I came here to ask you." Neelix sat on the edge of the desk, suddenly feeling rather depressed. "So she is going out with him them?"

"I had my suspicions but I wasn't really sure, but if Paris told you I guess that means it's true." The EMH slumped down next to Neelix. "I still can't believe it though, I mean him of all people."

"Tom is a nice guy," Neelix tried to defend, but he couldn't put much effort into it, "I just can't see him and Seven together. She's just too inexperienced for someone like him. I can't help but worry about her." Then realising how his comment could be taken he quickly added, "Not that I think Tom would do anything to harm her, but.."

"Yes, but.." The two men just sat looking at the floor, both caught up in their own thoughts and as such unaware of Tuvok entering sickbay.

"Do I take it from your lack of activity Doctor that the analysis the Captain requested has been completed?" The Vulcan raised a superior brow at the inactive men, expecting to see them return to duty, or alternatively in Neelix's case leave.

"Yes of course, I finished five minutes ago." The Doctor handed a data pad to the commander, but then simply resumed his sulking pose.

Tuvok having received what he came for was prepared to leave, but the men's strange behaviour intrigued him, not through any emotional response of course, but through a professional need to be informed of any situation that might effect the crews reactions in any given circumstance. So as a dedicated security officer he thought it his duty to find out what was causing the unusual behaviour. "Has something occurred which is preventing either of you two gentlemen from carrying out your assignments?"

"I finished the analysis, didn't I?" the Doctor explained as if to a child.

"And I'm off duty," added Neelix.

"Then why are you both sitting here, in what I must ascertain is a dejected manner?" Tuvok questioned.

"We were just discussing Tom and Seven." Neelix answered, while the Doctor just hung his head in defeat.

"What about Ensign Paris and Seven of Nine has had this effect on you?" Tuvok wondered if the two had somehow been injured, even though if they had he would already have been informed.

"It seems they're dating." Neelix continued, this time the Doctor just met the words with a continual shake of his head.

"Discussing other people's romantic affiliations is not a productive use of time, and as senior members of the crew I would have thought you both beyond this type of idle speculation." Having chastised the two men Tuvok turned to leave, but couldn't help adding, "Besides the idea of them involved together in a romantic relationship is highly unlikely, your information is obviously flawed."

"Tom told me." Neelix told the smugly retreating Vulcan, "and the Doctor just confirmed it."

"That.." Tuvok came to stand next to the two men, his brow furrowed in deep and apparently unpleasant thought, "is highly illogical, I would have thought Seven more discerning."

"Yeah" "Hmm" "Most illogical"

"I don't believe it." Harry said for the third time, "He would have told me."

"It's true Harry, Tom told all of us this afternoon before training eventually started." Claire had presumed her boyfriend already knew about his best friend and Seven, but he seemed even more shocked than she had been. "Didn't Tom give you any indication that he was interested in Seven?"

"No, nothing." Harry tried searching his memory for any signs of attraction from either Tom or Seven directed towards the other. "I kind of thought there might be something going on between Seven and B'Elanna, but never Tom."

"Seven and B'Elanna?"

"It was only a feeling, they've kind of stopped fighting now and seemed to be getting on real well. I even saw B'Elanna hug Seven when the test result came back positive." Harry's smile of remembrance soon vanished "Oh no, what is B'Elanna going to say when she finds out?"

"Or more importantly what will she do? And to whom?" Claire added.

After leaving Claire, Harry put in a request for Tom's whereabouts. He planned to check out the story for himself, not that he didn't believe Claire but he just wanted to make sure Tom wasn't just teasing his pupils. Finding Tom sitting with Chakotay in the mess-hall Harry interrupted the two men and blurted out to his friend "Is it true?"

"What Harry?" Tom asked even though he was confident he knew the answer, and was secretly pleased the news seemed to have travelled so quickly.

"Are you and Seven seeing each other?" Harry was now standing over his friend in an unconsciously threatening stance, and the look on his face was anything but friendly.

"Hey Harry, why don't you sit down until we get this all sorted out?" Chakotay interrupted, hoping to dispel what he feared would turn into an altercation. Realising that he was being a bit over zealous in his questioning, and especially in front of the second in command, Harry took a seat on the opposite side of the table from Tom.

"To answer your question Harry, yes I am seeing Seven." Tom tried to put on a shy smile, although he failed miserably and it came out more of a smug leer, "I suppose you heard about it from Claire?" Seeing the nod he continued bowing his head slightly, "I asked them not to say anything, it's all really too new for everybody to know. I wouldn't want to scare Seven away." He waited a moment for someone to reassure him that Seven couldn't possibly be scared off so easily from such a prize as himself, but none was forthcoming. "I think this could be the one Harry."

Harry just shook his head in bewilderment.

"Have you told B'Elanna yet?" Chakotay asked in a voice devoid of all warmth.

"No."

"Don't you think you should? I mean you only just finished your relationship, she might not take too kindly to you suddenly seeing someone else." She might kill you is what Chakotay was thinking, especially if she finds out it started before she dumped him.

"She finished it with me remember? I don't think I owe her any explanation." Tom was desperate for B'Elanna to know, but he would much rather she found out from someone else and had time to stew on what a mistake she had made before he confirmed it for her.

"But how could you so soon after getting dumped?" Harry pleaded, he couldn't understand how one day Tom could be desperate for B'Elanna to take him back and the next have fallen for someone else. If it had been B'Elanna who had found someone else he would have understood, it had become obvious after the break-up that she had been unhappy for a long time. So it would have been understandable if she begun to notice other people, even if her honour prevented her from acting on it until she finished things with Tom, but the helmsman was too wrapped up in his own world to notice B'Elanna let along look for someone else.

"How long does it take for love to spark?" Tom tried to sound all gooey eyed and romantic, but he was becoming increasingly annoyed with the reactions he was getting from his friends.

"What?" Harry just looked at him blankly.

Chakotay got a small grin on his face as he saw three figures enter the mess-hall. Captain Janeway, B'Elanna and Seven entered the room together having just completed another set of holo-simulations for Janeway's approval. Spotting her senior crew sitting together the Captain made her way over to join them and, it seemed to Chakotay reluctantly, the two younger women followed their superior officer towards the table. "It looks like your chance to inform B'Elanna has just arrived." Chakotay whispered to Tom, whose smile then faltered momentarily before being replaced by an even brighter one directed straight at the approaching Seven, 'Oh this is going to be interesting' Chakotay thought, and prepared to hide all the sharp cutlery.

Part 8

Having entered the mess-hall in hopes of regaining some of the good cheer he had lost thanks to Tom Paris's inept training and revelations about his personal life, Neelix was less than happy to spot the source of his down-caste mood sitting across the room from him. Not wanting to appear rude and ignore Tom or the others at the table, but at the same time dreading being pulled into another of Tom's conversations about himself, Neelix did the only thing he could think of, he hid. Fortunately Harry's arrival seemed to distract the others sufficiently that none of the table's occupants notice the Talaxian scurry behind the galley counter and hide himself behind a stack of pots.

Sitting on the floor behind the counter Neelix poked his head out slightly to try and see if Paris was still at the table. He was, but the thing that caught Neelix's eye were the three other people who had joined the group. Captain Janeway and Seven were now sitting on either side of Tom Paris, while B'Elanna sat facing Seven on the other side of the table. Although he was too far away to hear what was being said it was obvious, to Neelix, from the body language alone that the table's occupants were less than comfortable with one another. In fact the only people who seemed the least bit comfortable were the Captain and Seven, although he would have bet money that Seven was counting the seconds until she could leave, but that was probably just her usual reticence about engaging in social situations.

Taking a closer look at the young woman, Neelix began to wonder if she was in fact wanting to get away and be alone with Mr Paris. The thought worried him. After discussing the reality of Seven and Tom dating he and the Doctor had decided to act as sort of guardian angels for the young woman, primarily by helping her in learning about romantic relationships, as she had already requested from the EMH, but also to keep their eye on her, or more accurately, keep their eye on Tom Paris and make sure he didn't do anything to harm the innocent girl. The idea of a hologram and a furry chef acting as protectors for the tall, intelligent and ultra strong ex-borg might have seemed ridiculous to some, but the two men knew that in matters of emotion and romance Seven was still very much a novice, and as such could be hurt very easily.

Reaching for his comm. badge Neelix decided to inform the Doctor of his suspicions, if the two did leave the mess-hall together he wanted to make sure someone was outside waiting to follow them. They would then be able to make sure the amorous helmsman didn't try anything rash before Seven's 'guardian angels' could have a few words with her, about the birds and the bees, and the all important concept of waiting until the right person came along, or if they were being truthful, someone other than Tom.

"Neelix to the Doctor..."

Kathryn Janeway finished updating her second in command about the most recent holo-simulations, making sure to praise the fine work carried out by B'Elanna, Harry and Seven. Although it seemed to the Captain that she could just as well have praised the carpeting for the amount of response she was getting from the three. Seven's apparent indifference she could almost dismiss, the young woman wasn't exactly know for exuberant expressions of joy when receiving praise or at any other time, but even for her she seemed distant, as if her mind, now free from the actual testing, was occupied by more important things. As for the other two, they seemed more interested in throwing dangerous looks at Tom Paris than paying attention to what their senior officers were discussing. Remembering the description she had heard of Tom and B'Elanna's break-up she could understand her chief engineer being less than thrilled with sharing a table with the helmsman, but the level of animosity she detected seemed totally out of proportion when considering that it had been B'Elanna who dumped Tom and not the other way around. As for Harry's behaviour, Kathryn couldn't even begin to work out why the usually happy and cheerful young man was suddenly scowling at his best friend. As for the target of their disdain, Tom looked oblivious to the two, leaning back in his seat he focused his eyes first on Kathryn to nod and look interested in what she was saying, then turned his attention to Seven and bestowed upon her an extremely over zealous smile.

Finishing her description of the engineering tests and hoping to alleviate some of the tension, Kathryn decided to change the subject. Not wanting to say anything that could cause a worsening of the atmosphere she decided to keep the talk simple and upbeat.

"I think after this is over and we are safely away from those ships we could all use a celebration." Kathryn placed her hand on Tom's shoulder, she would rather have given one of the other three a pat on the back to show her appreciation of all they had done, but unfortunately Tom was the only one within range and she didn't think leaning across the table at full stretch just to pat someone on the arm was very dignified for the ship's captain. "I know Neelix is always happy to have a party to plan, I'll have to inform him."

At this Seven was about to inform the Captain that Neelix was at that moment on his hands and knees peering at them around the side of the galley counter, but her train of thought was interrupted by a hand being placed on her arm.

"A party sounds like a wonderful idea, don't you think so Seven?" asked the owner of the hand, Tom Paris, giving her arm a slight squeeze.

"I fail to see the use of these social gatherings." Seven replied, extricating her arm. "Those present simply use the occasion to consume large quantities of synthahol and engage in boisterous behaviour."

"Oh but you forgot one of the most important elements of parties Seven." Tom moved in close to the young woman and again placed his hand on her arm. From the corner of his eye he could see B'Elanna's face descending into rage and he was overcome with a feeling of elation, finally she would know what it felt like to be rejected and replaced.

"And that is?" Seven turned to face Tom, she was uncomfortably aware of the nearness of his mouth to hers, but she knew the others would think her rude not to acknowledge someone speaking directly to her. Once again she questioned the whole idea of politeness.

B'Elanna found her whole body tensing as Tom moved in closer to Seven, the flirtatious way he was talking to her made the half Klingon's blood boil. Ever since they had sat down at the table the only thing B'Elanna could think about was how desolate the normally cool and unemotional young woman had been when she'd found her in the cargo bay, and all because of Tom Paris and his belief in his own irresistibility. His thoughtlessness had harmed someone B'Elanna was beginning to realise she loved, and still he was continuing to force himself on her. The first time he touched Seven's arm B'Elanna wanted to rip his fingers off and break every single digit that had dared to touch the former drone. It wasn't the company at the table that stopped her but the worry that Seven might be frightened off by such a show of anger. Not so much the Seven that everyone saw, arrogant and argumentative, but the one she had glimpsed only occasionally, most notably in the cargo bay. That Seven was innocent and vulnerable and didn't need a headstrong and uncontrollably violent Klingon messing up her life. So breathing deeply B'Elanna stayed in her seat and watched with pleasure as Seven simply extracted her arm from the contact. As Tom grabbed for Seven's hand once more B'Elanna began reciting a Vulcan relaxation mantra under her breath.

"Why the dancing of course." Tom answered the former borg, looking deep into her eyes he tried to convey his desire to be that close to Seven, to move with he to the music, to have his arms around her body. The blank and apparently uninterested look he received in return only fuelled his desire to get a reaction from his intended lover, the added bonus being that his former lover was there to see just how easily she had been replaced. "I bet we could light up the dance floor."

"Would it not already have illumination?" Seven enquired.

"Yeah Tom, are you planning on having Neelix cut the power so no-one can see you have two left feet?" Harry joined in, hoping to put a stop to his friend's nauseating attempt at charming Seven.

"Funny Harry." Tom was getting rather annoyed with his friend's behaviour since joining him at the table and just wished he'd leave.

"Well two left feet or not I think dancing is a wonderful idea Tom." Janeway interjected, sensing the two ensigns about to start arguing.

"Thank you Captain." Tom bestowed his commanding officer with one of his sweetest smiles, and still looking at her continued. "I'm afraid my reasons for suggesting it are not altogether unselfish though." Here he looked at Seven, "it has just been so long since I held a beautiful woman in my arms and allowed the music to dictate our movements. I welcome any chance to do that again."

All eyes at the table turned to B'Elanna, the woman Tom had danced with only four weeks ago at the J'aVor celebration, and three of those people held their breaths waiting for her to explode.

"It is only 29 days since you last held a beautiful woman while dancing." Seven told him, she could have pinpointed it down to the second, even without borg assisted memory the sight of B'Elanna in the arms of another had imprinted itself on her memory. "I would not think that classifies as an extended period for such an activity." Looking across the table at the suddenly very attentive and smiling half Klingon, Seven changed her mind. "Although to be denied the feel of someone special for even a day could seem too long."

Tom beamed at what he thought was a compliment directed at him. Janeway and Chakotay exchanged puzzled looks. The Captain didn't understand what could have caused Seven to talk in such an emotional way, although before entering the mess-hall she would have assumed it was something to do with B'Elanna, and been jealous of that fact. Chakotay just couldn't believe Seven was showing her first signs of romantic feeling over Tom Paris. He wasn't close to the ex-borg but had always thought her much more intelligent than that. Harry just slumped down in his chair, his hope that the story of Tom and Seven's relationship might still turn out to be untrue was finally shattered. B'Elanna blushed and tried to work out how to extract both herself and Seven from the table without insulting the Captain.

"So should I contact Neelix and tell him to include room for dancing in his preparations?" Tom asked the Captain.

Seven looked back to the galley and noticed Neelix still ensconced behind the counter, "Mr Neelix is not yet aware of the planned celebration, to inform him to add room for dancing would therefore be a waste of time until he has first been appraised of his original duties as party organiser." Seven was tired of this talk of parties and dancing and wanted to leave so as to continue the afternoon's conversation with B'Elanna, not to mention the kissing.

Tom noticed a rosy blush appear on Seven's cheeks and assumed she was thinking of him, and the prospect of them dancing together. "Don't worry, Seven, I'm sure Neelix will have no trouble organising things, and when he does I'd like to officially request the first dance." At this Tom turned his whole body to face Seven, and clasped her hand with both of his.

"I," Seven looked to B'Elanna, suddenly feeling trapped and not sure how to extricate herself from this type of social situation.

"Stop badgering her Tom." B'Elanna warned, her anger resurfacing with the trapped look in Seven's eyes.

Ignoring his ex-lover, but secretly overjoyed that she was so consumed with jealousy, Tom pulled Seven's hand to his mouth, "Please." He whispered before kissing the imprisoned hand.

The kiss was like a trigger to the angered Klingon, with a shriek of rage B'Elanna threw herself over the table, knocking Tom out of his chair she savagely dug her knee into his chest before raising her arm and smashing her fist into the no-longer smiling face. Blood spurted from the obviously shattered nose, spraying red droplets across B'Elanna's face but not stopping her fury. Arms yanked her away just as she launched another punch at the man's head, his wails of pain turning to curses once B'Elanna was safely restrained by Chakotay and Harry.

"You bitch! You stupid half-breed Klingon, look what you've done to my nose!"

"Enough!" The Captain shouted, and Tom's curses and B'Elanna's struggles immediately stopped at hearing the iron in her tone. "Harry take Tom to sickbay." She ordered, looking at her chief engineer Kathryn's tone dropped several degrees. "Go to my Ready Room now. Wait there until I arrive."

Harry helped the complaining helmsman to his feet and started pulling him towards the exit, the blood had by now soaked most of the front of Tom's uniform and earned them quite a few strange looks on the way to sickbay.

On being ordered to leave B'Elanna had only spared a moment to look at Seven before making her way to the Captain's Ready Room and her fate. Although having seen the look of shock and bewilderment in Seven's eyes B'Elanna feared she had already been punished more than she could bear. If her stupid actions had cost her the feelings she knew Seven was developing for her, it would be her own fault. Cursing herself for an idiot, and trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall, B'Elanna made her way through the ship.

Seven watched silently as first Tom and then B'Elanna left the mess-hall, looking down at the drops of blood that had soaked into the carpet she had a strange urge to crouch down and try to remove them. Seeing Chakotay steer the Captain into a corner of the room to speak earnestly with her, Seven turned around and left the room. She spoke to no-one.

Chakotay urged the Captain to follow him to a quiet area of the mess-hall. He could see by her posture and the way her fist was tightly clenched that she was beyond mere angry, and he wanted to try and put in a good word for B'Elanna before Kathryn saw her.

"Kathryn I think there are some things about B'Elanna and Tom that you should know." He began.

"If you're going to tell me that they broke-up I already know, and even if I didn't it is no excuse for this type of action." Realising her voice was getting louder the Captain pulled Chakotay even further to the side of the room to avoid being overheard. "I had to speak with them before about allowing their personal life to interfere with ship's business, I see no reason to now allow them to publicly brawl just because they are no longer involved."

"I know what she did was wrong, but she must have found out about Tom and Seven, and seeing them together, well." Chakotay shrugged in a 'what could she do' manner.

"What about Tom and Seven?" Kathryn felt the onset of dread at the mention of Seven's name.

"I thought you'd know." The big man looked slightly confused, he'd thought that being perhaps Seven's closest friend the young borg would have confided in her, but obviously not. "It appears that the two of them have begun dating."

"No." Kathryn looked passed Chakotay hoping to see the young woman in question, but she had already left.

"It seems they have Kathryn, I was there when Tom confirmed it." Chakotay was beginning to regret telling the Captain about the couple, her look had gone from furious to shocked to borderline homicidal in a matter of moments, and a homicidal captain was not what he wanted B'Elanna to have to face. "Tom was kind of rubbing it in." Chakotay continued to make excuses. "I think a lot people in that kind of situation would have lashed out."

"Most people are not the Chief Engineer." Kathryn shot him a deadly look, daring him to keep trying to protect his friend. In reality she wasn't really too concerned with B'Elanna at that moment, she would have to reprimand her, of course, but the thing that was concerning the Captain now was Seven and Tom Paris. 'If he's laid a finger on her I'll have him put in a space-suit and towed behind the ship until we get home' cursing herself for not having the talk with Seven she'd planned when all she had to worry about was an honourable and intelligent engineer stealing the young woman's affections, Kathryn turned and without another word left the mess-hall.

"That when well." Chakotay sighed to himself. "Good luck B'Elanna, I think you're going to need it."

While the group in the mess-hall had been busy talking the Doctor had sat, emitter poised and ready, listening to Neelix describe events and preparing to rush to intercept Tom and Seven if they left together. The Talaxian was just telling a rather repulsed Doctor about Tom lifting Seven's hand up to kiss it when the connection was terminated, as if Neelix had dropped his communicator. Failing to receive any answer to his hails the Doctor was just about to leave for the mess-hall when Harry Kim and a blood soaked Tom Paris entered.

"I think he's got a broken nose Doc." Volunteered Harry in a less than sympathetic voice.

"Thank you Mr Kim, I believe you can leave the diagnosis up to me." Pointing to the nearest bed the EMH ordered Tom to sit. If he had been mere flesh and blood the Doctor would have turned a deep shade of red by now as his temper soared, but being a collection of photons he was able to mask his rage, well almost, his voice had taken on a quality that would scare any sane person seeking medical attention. His temper was stretched by the simple belief that Seven of Nine had rendered the blow that had broken Paris' nose, and that she had done so only after Tom had tried to do something inappropriate. His reasoning behind this was the last message from Neelix, about the attempted kiss to Seven's hand, from there it was a simple jump to the man trying to kiss her lips or put his hand where it wasn't wanted.

"Hold still." The Doctor ordered his patient as he used his thumb and forefinger to squeeze the bridge of Tom's nose.

"Owwww!" Tom slapped the doctor's hand away.

"Don't be a baby, Mr Paris, I have to examine your nose." Saying this the Doctor used the fingers of both hands to press the sides of Tom's now very swollen nose.

"ARGhhhhhh!!" Tom jumped from the bed to stand behind Harry. "Get away from me!" He gently reached up to feel his nose, the pain from the exam far worse than the actual blow itself.

"Come on, Tom, let the Doc fix it." Harry took a firm grip on his friend's arm and escorted him back to the bed.

"You must expect a little pain if you go about dallying with young women's affections." The Doctor chastised.

"Me?" Tom looked at both the Doctor and Harry in indignation, "She's the psycho who hit me remember? Bloody Klingon temper, she should be locked up."

"It was B'Elanna who hit you?"

"Of course it was her, do you know any other psycho Klingons on board?" Tom screamed.

The Doctor began running the tricorder over Tom's face, he was relieved to know it wasn't Seven who had thrown the punch but he was sure that B'Elanna must have been provoked. Checking his results, which confirmed the shattered state of Tom's nose, the EMH was tempted to leave his patient with a very swollen and red nose, but unfortunately the medical ethics side of his programming wouldn't allow that. So he settled for another manual check of the broken cartilage.

"Ooowwwwwwwww!!!"

Part 9

B'Elanna stood just inside the Captain's ready room nervously shuffling from one foot to the other, anxiously awaiting Janeway's arrival, but instead of worrying about what punishment the Captain would deem fit for her attack on Tom Paris, all B'Elanna could think about was Seven. The younger woman's look of bewilderment and shock after witnessing the attack on the arrogant helmsman had been like a bucket of cold water on B'Elanna's anger, and now all she felt was fear. Fear that she'd spoilt everything, and the deceptively sensitive former drone would no-longer care for her. Their relationship was still in the process of forming but already B'Elanna felt a connection to Seven that had been missing in her previous relationships. The question was how would the inexperienced ex-Borg react to seeing B'Elanna attack someone because of her. Would she be repulsed by this all too graphic show of Klingon aggression, just as others before had been, or would she allow the repentant engineer to make amends for her actions? It was strange, it had been Tom who she'd hit but Seven to whom she felt she owed an apology. She just hoped that the other woman would give her the chance to do just that.

Hearing the door behind her open B'Elanna turned to face the Captain. The older woman's face was set in a granite mask of anger, and as their eyes locked the engineer was granted the distinct displeasure of one of Janeway's force ten glares.

"Eyes front Lieutenant." Janeway barked.

B'Elanna turned to face the Captain's desk, doing her best to look repentant, professional and the epitome of a good officer, while in reality she was feeling like a naughty nine year old who'd been caught trying to sell official secrets to the Cardassians in exchange for candy.

Janeway stood behind her desk, leaning forward slightly she rested her hands on the desk top and stared hard at her officer. "You are aware that striking another officer is a court-martial offence?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Was it worth it?" Janeway's voice was deceptively quiet but the anger could be detected just under the surface.

B'Elanna didn't answer for a moment, she thought of the pleasure she had received when her fist landed in that smug face and was about to answer in the positive until she remembered all that she could have lost because of it. "No." She whispered.

"What?" The Captain's voice rose, abruptly pulling B'Elanna out of her musings.

"No ma'am." B'Elanna said in a more powerful voice.

"You are a senior officer. One of the people I rely upon to keep this ship and this crew together. Now here you are letting your emotions cloud your judgement and behaving in a manner that I wouldn't accept from the greenest of cadets." Janeway paused allowing B'Elanna to stew for a moment, while at the same time trying to decide on what course of action she should take. The incident was serious enough to warrant time in the brig or even a demotion, the problem was that B'Elanna was needed at the moment to supervise the latest engineering changes in order to avoid the present danger, and even once the immediate danger had passed B'Elanna was still the most able engineer they had and demoting her from Chief would seriously effect the smooth running of the ship. "I have been made aware of certain facts that Commander Chakotay seems to feel pertinent to your actions today, but I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour from my staff, is that understood?"

"Yes ma'am." B'Elanna stood up straighter and prepared to be ordered to the brig.

"Do you have anything to say in your defence Lieutenant?" Janeway demanded.

"No ma'am."

"That's not good enough." Janeway snapped, she'd had enough of her Chief Engineer lashing out first and thinking second, and hoped that by making her confront the reasons behind her actions B'Elanna might start to curb her temper. "I want to know why you struck Ensign Paris?"

B'Elanna shuffled uncertainly, she didn't like having to talk about her feelings but if she was going to explain her actions that is exactly what she needed to do. Then her mind once again flashed to Seven, if she was to have a chance at a relationship with the ex-Borg she couldn't have the Captain think she was an uncontrollable lout who was unworthy of her favourite. "I know I was wrong to hit Tom, I just." B'Elanna fixed her eyes on the floor, her rage starting to boil once more at the thought of the helmsman's paws all over the young blonde. "When I saw him put his hand on Seven and then try to kiss her, I just lost it."

"And that is your reasoning? You were jealous so you just struck out?" Janeway was disappointed, she had expected more from B'Elanna.

"I wasn't jealous." B'Elanna looked at the Captain slightly confused, who was she meant to be jealous of? Did the Captain believe that she was jealous of Tom winning over Seven? Who in their right mind would think an intelligent and innocent woman like Seven could be attracted to someone like Tom? Then again who would think she'd be attracted to an ill tempered half breed Klingon? "I was angry. He ruined Seven's first kiss and there he was trying to kiss her again."

Now Janeway was confused "They're dating. It's only natural that they would kiss and.." she broke off not wanting to continue that line of thought. "You finished your relationship with Ensign Paris, and have to understand that you can no-longer dictate who he becomes involved with."

B'Elanna looked at Janeway as if she'd just mooned the mess-hall and started reciting Shakespeare in Klingonese. "They are not dating." She enunciated very slowly as if talking to a child.

"Yes they are." Janeway was more confused than ever. "Chakotay told me, besides why would they be kissing if they weren't dating?" Ha, got you on that one she thought.

B'Elanna lost all sense of discipline as she moved to stand as close to the desk, and the Captain, as possible, and leaning her fists on the table let her anger rise to the surface once more. "He forced the kiss, it was her first and that arrogant P'taq ruined it." In a quieter voice she added. "When I found her she was crying. I, I'd never seen her cry before."

"What!" Janeway stood back from her desk as if she'd been struck. "He wouldn't."

"Seven told me herself. She wouldn't lie about something like that."

Kathryn just stood there for a few moments, her anger flaring to uncontrollable levels as she thought of anyone taking advantage of the young woman. The thought of him forcing himself on her was charging the normally cool headed Captain to murderous highs. Images of the lecherous bastard forcing more than a kiss from the young beauty were dancing in her mind, making it hard for her to breath. "I'll have him put in the brig for the rest of his miserable life."

"Captain?" B'Elanna was getting concerned by Janeway's rising colour and the look in her eyes that was bordering on homicidal.

"He will not get away with this." Kathryn banged her hand on the desk. "I will not allow anyone on my ship to get away with sexually assaulting another member of the crew. Seven is only..." She seemed to loose her voice for a second. "She's an innocent, and that.."

"No, Captain he didn't do anything." B'Elanna interrupted.

"You said he forced her." Kathryn turned her murderous glare on the younger woman, if she'd made this up it would be the Klingon who spent eternity in the brig. "Are you telling me you lied?"

"No, it's not...when I said he forced her I didn't mean he assaulted her." B'Elanna recognised Janeway's reaction as a mirror image of her own and cursed herself for explaining it so badly. She knew that without Seven's restraining hand she would have joyfully strangled Tom, and by the looks of it Kathryn was set on decapitation at the very least. "He kissed her without her permission, but from what Seven told me it was sort of a misunderstanding, or if you ask me just a typical case of Tom believing he's irresistible."

"But he did force her to kiss him?" Kathryn tried to clarify, still feeling the need to cause the helmsman serious bodily harm. "That could be considered emotional assault."

"Captain, I think you're allowing your emotions to effect your judgement." B'Elanna parroted the Captain's words from earlier, and couldn't help a momentary feeling of smug satisfaction in doing so.

Kathryn looked at B'Elanna and acknowledged the use of her own advise. She still wasn't happy about Tom's actions but if it was a misunderstanding, as Seven maintained, then she really couldn't take any action against him. That brought her mind back to the reason she was here, B'Elanna's attack on Tom, prompted as she was now led to believe by his actions towards Seven. That made her wonder why the indifferent engineer was suddenly so protective of the ex-Borg, perhaps her suspicions about the change in their relationship were correct. "You're right, I was allowing my emotions to rule me and that was wrong. I'm close to Seven and I overreacted, but I thought the two of you were on less than friendly terms, so why were you so enraged by this?"

"We're.." B'Elanna found herself suddenly fascinated by the shine on her shoes, and a blush began creeping up her neck. "Well we've erm, that is Seven and I are, well we're sort of seeing each other, I think."

"You think?" Kathryn wasn't quite sure how to take this news but the sight of the usually forthright and take charge lieutenant suddenly turned into a stammering teenager made her want to laugh.

"Well, we haven't actually been out on a date or anything yet, but we've been growing closer over the last month or so and we erm.." B'Elanna's explanation trailed off, she was about to mention the kiss but didn't feel right about discussing something so private with anyone. Unfortunately beyond that one moment in the cargo bay there wasn't anything concrete to their relationship, only feelings. "I care about her Captain, and I think she cared about me."

Kathryn noticed the depth of that admission, but also the use of the past tense. "You don't think she still feels the same?"

"I'm not sure." The half Klingon really didn't want to discuss this but the Captain was looking at her in an inquisitive manner that promised further questioning unless she explained herself fully. "After what happened in the mess-hall I'm just afraid she won't want anything to do with me."

"I'm sorry." Kathryn felt like walking round the desk to give B'Elanna a hug, she looked so sad, but then she remembered why they were there in the first place and decided to put a more formal distance between them. So pulling out her chair she sat down. "However this still does not excuse your actions towards Mr Paris."

"No ma'am." B'Elanna stood back to attention.

"If Ensign Paris decides to press formal charges you could be facing time in the brig and loss of rank. If he does not, then due to our current situation and the need for your expertise in engineering, I am willing to forgo incarceration at this time." Janeway pressed a few commands into her desk console before continuing. "You will be confined to your quarters for the foreseeable future, you are to be allowed out only to carry out your engineering duties. Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am." She tried not to smile, they both knew that during a ship's upgrade the only place B'Elanna would visit were her quarters and engineering anyway. So except for a possible excursion to the mess-hall to sample one of Neelix's culinary delights, her punishment wouldn't even effect her.

A chime announced the arrival of Tuvok and Ensign Claire Mortimer who had both been summoned by the Captain. "Ensign Mortimer will you escort Lieutenant Torres to her quarters." Janeway ordered.

Claire nodded and led B'Elanna from the room.

Claire walked a silent B'Elanna Torres to the turbolift, their progress observed closely by every member of the bridge crew, who only waited a second after the lift doors closed before starting to speculate about what might have happened in the ready room. The security officer was worried about her friend, news of the incident in the mess-hall had spread rapidly throughout the ship and Claire feared that B'Elanna was sinking into a depression over Tom's new romance, or whatever the Captain had said to her.

"How are you doing B'Elanna?" She asked once they left the turbolift.

"I wish I knew." B'Elanna gave the young officer a reassuring smile despite her mood.

"Is it because of whatever punishment the Captain has prescribed?" The security officer probed.

For the first time since leaving the ready room B'Elanna allowed a real smile to capture her face. "No that's not it." The smile soon disappeared as she thought of the reason for her present melancholy, but looking at the friendly and level headed red head who walked beside her the usually private half Klingon decided to open up a little, and try and gain some perspective on her worries. "I think I've just screwed up the best relationship of my life."

Claire looked at her as if she'd suddenly confessed to being a Cardassian spy, "You're worried 'cause you think you've lost Tom?" Her respect for the engineer's intelligence and taste was rapidly being blown out an airlock.

"No! Do I look demented?" B'Elanna stopped dead in the middle of the corridor, crossing her arms she gave the security officer a stare of pure disgust. "I was referring to Seven actually." She was beginning to question her decision to talk to Claire, if the woman was foolish enough to think she'd get upset over a waste of space like Paris she couldn't be that bright or even the slightest bit sensitive.

"Seven?" Claire was reminded of Harry telling her of his suspicions about the changing relationship between B'Elanna and the ex-Borg. "I'm sorry, it must have been hard to find out that she and Tom were going out. I mean I was shocked and I'm not even in love with her."

B'Elanna's colour began to rise in anger thinking about people assuming Tom and Seven were dating, but that soon turned to a blush as she heard Claire refer to her being in love with the young Borg. Not that she wasn't, it was just the first time anyone had said it, including her. "I don't know why everyone keeps saying Tom and Seven are dating, because they are not. She and I, well we're seeing each other. I'm just worried that she'll call it off after my behaviour in the mess-hall."

"So Harry was right." Seeing B'Elanna's bewildered look she continued. "He thought there was something going on between the two of you, and I guess that's why he was so worked up when he thought Tom had taken Seven away from you. He's still very protective of her, well about her romantic life anyway." Claire didn't sound exactly pleased about that.

"I know he cares about her, but you've nothing to worry about Claire, he told me himself that he's no-longer interested in Seven romantically." B'Elanna place a reassuring hand on the redhead's arm. "You're the only one he's interested in now."

"Yeah." Pushing her own unexpected insecurity to the back of her mind Claire tried to return the favour and reassure her friend. "I don't think Seven's the kind of person to be so easily scared off. I mean she's not the sort to rush into things without thinking about them thoroughly, so to make a giant step like starting her first romance she must be sure of her feelings for you."

"You think so?" The half Klingon blushed again and wondered if her face could take all the extra heat that seemed to infuse it whenever she thought of Seven.

"Of course." Claire noticed that her friend seemed to have cheered up slightly. "Why don't you talk to Seven, find out what she's feeling?"

"Hurmph!" The engineer threw her arms up in disgust. "How am I supposed to do that? I can't even leave my room except to go to engineering, and that's not exactly the most ideal place for a romantic discussion."

"Well surely Seven can visit you in your quarters?"

"I doubt the Captain is likely to allow me an open house to all visitors." Coming within sight of her quarters B'Elanna saw the security officer waiting outside her door. "See? She's already got a watcher appointed to make sure I don't leave my cell."

"You're overreacting." Claire said sternly.

"Am I?" B'Elanna's temper was once again on the rise.

"Look I'm sure that if she wants to Seven could easily get in to see you, and before you start getting all broody Klingon on me, yes I'm sure she wants to see you."

Arriving at her quarters B'Elanna activated the door but before she entered she took the time to squeeze Claire's arm, a habit she seemed to have inherited from the Captain. "Thanks, and I'm sorry for being a broody Klingon on you." She smiled warmly at her friend and entered her rather comfy gaol cell.

Captain Janeway sat behind her desk watching her Chief Engineer being led from the room, but instead of being angry at the younger woman for hitting Paris, she was sitting there thinking how nice it would have been to inflict the punch herself. Thinking that the womanising helmsman was dating Seven had been annoying enough, but to know he'd been spreading rumours about the non-existent relationship was making her angry. The anger fuelled by the news of the forced kiss. If it weren't for her captain's responsibilities Janeway would have loved nothing better than to have the young man frog marched through the ship buck naked, while all those who felt the urge, which she was guessing would be quite a few, threw rotting vegetation at his lily white body.

"Captain?" Tuvok interrupted her increasingly pleasant thoughts of humiliation.

"Yes Tuvok?" Kathryn schooled her face into a more professional pose.

"I have despatched a security detail to stand guard outside Lieutenant Torres quarters. Are there to be any further disciplinary actions I should be made aware of?" The Vulcan had been surprised at the news of B'Elanna's actions, he had believed the previously hot tempered and volatile half Klingon had managed to curb her more excessive emotions.

"If Ensign Paris," the name said in a disgusted voice, "doesn't press charges, then I think house arrest is more than adequate for the crime. She only broke his nose."

Tuvok raised a supercilious eyebrow at the last sentence. "It was assault Captain. Although I do concur with the prescribed punishment." Tuvok had detected his captain's less than friendly tone in reference to Mr Paris, and as her friend, as well as her Chief of Security, he thought it his duty to enquire about her state of mind. "You seem more disturbed by the recipient of the attack than the person responsible, are there perhaps circumstances to which I am unaware?"

"You could say that." Tom's behaviour wasn't exactly a security matter, and Kathryn knew Tuvok wasn't too comfortable discussing other people's emotions, but in this case she needed someone to talk with. Her feelings about Seven and this latest development in her knowledge of the young woman's love life had left her feeling protective and confused. "Were you aware of the rumours about Tom dating Seven?"

"Yes."

"Well it appears he made it up." She waited for Tuvok's eyebrow to descend back to its usual location. "According to B'Elanna, she and Seven are involved and that was the reason behind her attack on Paris."

"And you believe Lieutenant Torres' account?" The Vulcan questioned.

"Yes. I'd noticed the change in the way they acted around one another, and even though I must admit to feeling somewhat jealous." Here Janeway stole a peek at her friend, trying to gage his response to her admission, "the idea of Seven seeing B'Elanna is a lot more easy to swallow than her dating Tom."

"Lieutenant Torres would make a more logical partner for Seven of Nine." Tuvok agreed. "Your jealousy over Seven's developing relationship would appear to disturb you."

"Well surprisingly enough I'm not used to feeling envious when one of my crew gets involved with someone else." Kathryn didn't like talking about her inability to control her emotions but thought Tuvok might be able to put a more logical slant on her feelings. "I never would have thought...I mean I suppose this means I subconsciously wanted a relationship with her."

Tuvok noted the confusion in her voice and wondered at the human insistence in attributed all of their emotional responses to others as signs of romantic attraction. "Do you wish to have sex with Seven of.."

"No!" Kathryn cut him off with one strong and decisive word.

"Then I think it safe to reason that you do not wish for a romantic relationship with her." He again wondered how a woman who was usually so intelligent could not even understand her own feelings, especially when they were so clear to practically everyone on the ship.

"Then why would I get jealous?" Kathryn was confused, again, and she didn't like that feeling.

"You have always had a unique relationship with Seven. You have advised her and watched as she grew into an individual. It is probable that your jealousy was triggered by a perceived threat to that relationship by Seven developing another friendship."

"She has other friends." Janeway countered, "I've never experienced jealousy over them."

"The only two friendships Seven has engaged in that are close to the level of her relationship with you, have been with the Doctor and Naomi Wildman." Tuvok continued. "Neither of them provide Seven with the type of guidance and stimulation that you do. Lieutenant Torres is, however, another strong, intelligent and passionate woman and it is reasonable to assume she will provide Seven with guidance and stimulation. Although it is likely to be of a different variety to your own, considering we now know they are involved romantically, you could have seen her as a threat to your friendship and have been jealous of their growing closeness."

"Great." Janeway went from confusion to self disgust. "So I'm just being selfish?"

"It is fairly normal for human mothers to feel jealous when their offspring show signs of independence and start listening to the opinions of others." Tuvok reasoned.

"I am not her mother Tuvok." Janeway actually seemed shocked at the idea.

"No, but to a large extent you have assumed the maternal role in her development." He again felt like he was explaining the obvious.

"So I just don't like the idea of my chick leaving the nest?" Kathryn sat for a moment in quiet contemplation trying to work out her feelings towards the young former Borg. "You're right, I never really thought about it before, but I guess I have always seen her as my responsibility, more so than anyone else on the ship. She is just so innocent in many ways and I always felt that I needed to protect her from, well from everything I suppose."

"Do you feel the need to protect her from Lieutenant Torres?" Tuvok probed.

"No. I trust her not to deliberately hurt Seven, although I think it would be a good idea for me to have a talk with Seven, just to make sure she doesn't have any problems adjusting to the romantic life." Kathryn allowed her feelings of jealousy to wash away, but in their place was a renewed feeling of anger. "Tom is a different matter."

Tuvok said nothing, but even without verbal or even eyebrow communication, it was obvious that he agreed.

"He deliberately lied about Seven. I'm not sure why, but if he wants people to think he's dating her I think it would only be fair for him to get a visit from his future 'mother-in-law' so she can tell him just what the rules are when dating her little girl." The look on Kathryn's face was positively malicious and for a fleeting second Tuvok felt sorry for the helmsman.

Part 10

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