Part 11 added on 25 February 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: PG13
Tom Paris made his way towards the Captain's ready room, his finger gingerly testing the side of his nose where he was sure the Doctor had failed to properly mend his broken cartilage. The EMH had seemed positively sadistic as he applied unneeded pressure to the broken nose, and the helmsman wondered if perhaps B'Elanna had reprogrammed the hologram to inflict the most pain possible on him whenever the opportunity arose. He'd get someone to double check the Doc's program, maybe Harry, except the guy had been acting a little strangely the last couple of days. Alternately he could always ask Seven, as his brand new girlfriend she should be more than willing to help him out, but then again the ex-drone had been acting oddly too. Maybe she just wasn't familiar enough with human dating to know the proper actions when starting a relationship, or maybe his kiss had simply overpowered the young woman and left her too overcome with rampant desire to know how to approach him. After a second of thought Tom chose reason number two, and decided to seek out the love-struck blonde and initiate her more fully into the ways of a dating couple. His evenings activities now looking more interesting, Tom happily pressed the chime to request entry to the Captain's ready room.
"Enter." Came Janeway's cold voice from within, the emotions held in the tone unnoticed by Tom who simply believed he had been called to discuss the actions taken against B'Elanna for her crime.
"Ma'am." Tom bestowed a happy but slightly pained smile on the Captain.
"Ensign, I trust your injury has been taken care of." Without waiting for Tom's reply she went on. "I've asked you here to inform you of the actions I have taken against Lieutenant Torres for the attack upon you last night."
"Yes ma'am." Thoughts of his ex-girlfriend wallowing in the brig started to run rampant in Tom's mind.
"I have put her under house arrest, she will be confined to her quarters when not in engineering or on any other ships business. I have also spoken with her about her excessive anger and ways to curtail its eruptions."
"Is that it?" Tom asked in a tone of utter disbelief, after all B'Elanna had struck a junior officer, she should have been demoted at least.
"As I'm sure you are aware Ensign, we are currently in a vulnerable position as regards the three enemy ships. Therefore it would be counter productive to the safety of Voyager and her crew to incarcerate our best engineer at this time." Janeway bestowed on him a look that dared him to contradict." Of course as the victim of Lieutenant Torres' assault it is within your rights to press formal charges." Tom's eyes lit up with those words. "I am sure that in making that decision you will take the welfare of the rest of the crew into account, and not use it as a way of venting your own personal vengeance."
With the last part of Janeway's statement Tom's heart fell, there was no way he could press charges now, not if he ever wanted to regain his rank. "I am sure the action you prescribed was more than adequate Captain, under the circumstances."
"Good." Believing the meeting finished Tom prepared to leave. "Ensign, there is one further matter I wish to discuss with you."
"Yes ma'am." At this Tom straightened his posture, thinking Janeway was either going to praise his work with the pilot trainees or even go so far as to reinstate his rank straight away.
"It has come to my attention that you have begun dating Seven of Nine." Kathryn was now on protective mother mode and as such more deadly than as a mere Starfleet Captain. "Is that true?"
"Er, yes Captain we've.."
"I see." She was taken aback by the gall of the man, to continue his lie infront of her showed a level of bravado that she had not thought him capable. It also altered her plans, which had been to give him the scolding of his life and frighten him away from ever exaggerating his success with women again. With a devilish smile she quickly masked, Kathryn decided on a second approach, one she hoped would scared him even more than being berated by a force ten glare. "As Seven's guardian I would like to know what your intentions are towards her?"
"Intentions?" Tom looked baffled.
"Yes." Kathryn stood to face him. "I trust you are not planning to play with her affection?"
"No ma'am."
"She is a vulnerable young woman and if I found out you were playing with her emotions I would not be pleased." Tom wasn't sure but her thought he could detect a growl emanating from the Captain's throat.
"I would never.."
"Although not a Federation law, I would see to it that punishment was dealt severely to anyone who took advantage of Seven in that way." Kathryn glared at the man, her look reaching a degree of severity far higher than force ten.
"Captain, I would never, I mean Seven is very important to me and.." Tom's babbling was cut off by a loud thump, as Janeway's hand connected with the table.
"Seven is practically my daughter, so don't give me any of this 'important to me' crap, if you aren't serious about her tell me now." Although she was quite enjoying playing the protective parent Kathryn thought it only right to offer the now trembling young man a way out.
"I.." Tom's brain was in freefall, he couldn't work out what answer would be to his advantage and so ended up saying the first thing that entered his head. "I love her Captain."
"What?" That had been unexpected.
"I erm, I mean I won't hurt her." He realised he'd just dug himself an even bigger hole. "I am taking my relationship with Seven very seriously and in due time I would like to make her my wife."
"Wife?"
"Yes ma'am." For all outward appearances Tom looked the picture of calm at that moment, inside he was in a dead faint. 'Oh my God I've just said I'm gonna marry Seven' he began screaming inside his own head.
"I see." In truth Kathryn didn't see anything, if what Tom was saying was true then he really was dating Seven, and however hard that had been to swallow the idea that he would claim to want to marry her otherwise was even more absurd. If he was telling the truth that would mean that B'Elanna had lied about her own relationship to Seven, which seemed unlikely. Again feeling confused Kathryn decided the only way she could work out the truth was to speak with Seven personally. "In that case you are dismissed Ensign."
Slightly unsteady on his feet Thomas Eugene Paris left the Captain's ready room.
*
Having managed to get as far as the corridor leading to his quarters Tom's legs betrayed him and he collapsed against a wall and slid down onto the floor. All he could think about was that he'd just told the Captain he wanted to marry Seven, the Borg ice-queen, the woman he hadn't even taken to bed yet, the woman the Captain would kill to protect. He was a dead man. If Janeway didn't kill him then B'Elanna probably would.
Thinking of B'Elanna Tom began to brighten, he could just see her jealous anguish when she realised he was marrying her worst enemy. Not only that but also marrying the Captain's favourite, and the most desired woman on the ship. Tom's previous look of alarm turned to one of satisfaction and triumph, if he did marry Seven the whole crew would envy him and Janeway was bound to award him his promotion. With that thought Tom stood and once again began making his way towards his quarters. It might not have been his original plan, but marrying Seven would get him all the things he had been craving, and keep his libido happy for many years to come.
Now all he had to do was convince Seven to marry him.
Again Tom stopped, although this time he did manage to keep his footing. 'How am I gonna get Seven to marry me?' He mused, it wasn't an area he had much practice in, no he was more your get them into bed and out the next day kind of guy, actually wanting one to stay indefinitely was not something he had experience with.
Standing there he let his mind wander back to what Janeway had said in the ready room, and he began to wonder how she had known about his relationship to Seven. She could have just heard it through the gossip mill, but then why would she be so interested in his intentions? He wasn't fooling himself that he would be the Captain's ideal choice for a future partner for her Borg pet, so why was she asking his intentions instead of warning him off? There could really be only one answer, that Seven herself had told Janeway about them, and not only that but also indicated her feelings towards him. A smile to rival any he'd ever performed crossed Tom's face as he came to his own personal conclusion, 'Seven's in love with me.'
Problem solved and mind made up Tom continued on his way, all the while trying to work out how best to propose to the former Borg.
*
Seven and B'Elanna were working side by side in engineering when Captain Janeway found them, both were engrossed in their work but it didn't escape Kathryn's attention how closely they were standing or how at ease they seemed to be with one another. "Excuse me ladies." She interrupted.
"Captain?" Seven enquired, turning to look at her mentor, B'Elanna merely nodded her greeting although it was accompanied by a warm smile.
"I believe the Doctor has recommended you both take a break, and that so far you have refused his suggestions."
"We are busy and do not require nutritional supplements at this time." Seven countered.
"What she said." Agreed B'Elanna, earning a tiny smile from Seven.
"Never the less I am now insisting you take a break." Seeing them both about to protest Kathryn held up her hand to demand silence. "I will accompany you both and then you can use the time to update me on your progress."
"Acceptable."
"I can't." B'Elanna said nodding towards the security guard posted at the side of main engineering to monitor her movements.
Following B'Elanna's gesture Kathryn was reminded of her order that the chief engineer be restricted to her quarters or main engineering. "This meal is part of an official briefing, therefore I think it falls within the boundaries I set for your punishment."
"Okay then, lets go." With a wink at her guard B'Elanna proceeded to lead the group towards the exit.
"The punishment you prescribed for Lieutenant Torres restricts our work." Seven accused Kathryn once they were in the corridor.
"She is perfectly free to engage in work related areas Seven."
"Not all of our work can be accomplished in designated engineering areas." The young ex-Borg protested.
"If B'Elanna needs to work in other areas all she need do is explain it is for engineering reasons." Kathryn countered, somewhat amused that it was Seven who was doing the protesting and not B'Elanna. Her amusement was doubled by the information she had received from Tuvok just prior to meeting the two women. "The same way that you were granted admission to Lieutenant Torres quarters last night."
"I think under the circumstances the Captain's measures are quite fair." B'Elanna cut in, hoping to stop whatever retort Seven seemed to be concocting.
"If you say so Lieutenant." Seven reluctantly agreed, her mind still stuck on the idea that she couldn't visit her soon to be lover whenever she wanted.
"Well I'm glad that's all sorted." Saying that Janeway made her way into the messhall, followed a second later by the others.
Once seated at a table with their various dishes B'Elanna and Seven began taking it in turns to inform the Captain of their progress, which was considerable.
"So you mean it's ready to go?" Janeway tried to clarify, her excitement at finally getting away from this place and back towards the Alpha quadrant was mounting.
"No."
"Nearly." B'Elanna added to soften Seven's denial. "The equipment has all been set up and the modifications complete, we just have to finish a few more tests."
"So how long do you think that will take?"
B'Elanna looked at Seven for confirmation. "Two or three hours?"
Seven nodded. "Approximately two hours thirty eight minutes from when we arrive back in engineering."
"That's approximately?" B'Elanna queried, her indulgent smile met by an equally fond one from the usually unemotional ex-Borg.
"Did you want the seconds too?"
"Why yes Seven, I think I want every second." B'Elanna replied in a smoky voice, having temporarily forgotten the Captain's presence.
"I think your approximation was sufficient." Janeway inserted, she was beginning to feel like a third wheel, even if their behaviour was answering a few of her questions about their relationship.
"Yes Captain." A trace of red touching her pale cheeks Seven bent her head to concentrate on the food.
Even with eyes averted Seven could feel the tension that descended the table as footsteps began to approached. Looking up she was met by the sight of Tom Paris standing infront of them, although he had wisely chosen to stand on the Captain's side of the table and not that occupied by B'Elanna or herself.
"Captain, ladies." Tom interrupted, bestowing a radiant smile on Seven and one of slightly lesser wattage on the Captain. "I hope you're having a pleasant meal?"
"Yes thank you Ensign." Janeway answered for the group, her tone still verging on the arctic.
Taking a sideways look at B'Elanna, Seven noticed the distinct signs of tension and barely contained anger that radiated her body at Tom's intrusion. Not wanting a repeat of yesterdays brawl or more importantly the repercussions, Seven surreptitiously slid her hand onto B'Elanna's thigh and began a slow caress of the heated skin. As she'd hoped her actions appeared to calm the other woman, and gradually the tension eased from her face.
"I trust everything is going well with the modifications?" Tom asked, his second question directed straight at Seven.
"Yes, thank you Ensign." Seven mimicked the Captain's response, but as she did so B'Elanna's hand covered her own as it caressed the Klingon's thigh, then with a small squeeze B'Elanna dropped the contact and began to rise. For a second panic assailed the former drone as she thought a further fight was imminent, but with B'Elanna's first words her fears were checked.
"Ensign Paris, I wish to apologise for my behaviour yesterday, it was unbecoming for a Starfleet officer to act in such a manner." The words slightly forced B'Elanna continued. "I just wanted to say that I was sorry."
Three pairs of eyes looked at her in shock and disbelief.
"I.." Tom didn't want to accept, but with both Janeway and Seven now looking at him he couldn't do much else, not that he would forget what she'd done. "I accept Lieutenant."
The formal manner and strained atmosphere might not have been all that she could have hoped for, but under the circumstances Kathryn was proud of her people for putting their personal resentments behind them. "I'm glad you could both come to a reasonable understanding, and I trust this sort of thing will never happen again?" The last part was directed solely at B'Elanna.
"No, it won't happen again." B'Elanna assured, while her mind supplied the addition 'as long as he keeps his grubby little mitts away from my girlfriend.'
"Good."
Throughout this little speech Seven's eyes hadn't strayed from B'Elanna, she couldn't understand what on earth had possessed the usually honour bound half Klingon to apologise to him. Moments before she'd been sure they were going to end up in another fight, but now they were all looking at one another with polite little smiles and vacant expressions. This just didn't make sense.
"Seven?" Tom called for the second time, the young woman appearing to be daydreaming or at least the Borg equivalent.
"Yes Ensign."
"Could I speak with you in private for a moment?" He asked in a most courteous manner.
Sparing a brief look at B'Elanna, who appeared once again to be consumed with tension, Seven nodded and rose to follow Tom to the other side of the messhall.
"What do you think that's about?" Kathryn questioned.
"I don't know, but I don't like it." B'Elanna spat out, her eyes trained on the two retreating forms watching for any signs that Tom was taking advantage, her muscles tense for action if he so much as touched Seven. "He better not try anything."
Looking at her chief engineer Kathryn hoped for Tom's sake that he didn't either.
To be continued .........