Part 13 added on 13 April 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: PG13
On receiving word of the successful testing of the camouflaging apparatus from B'Elanna, Captain Janeway wasted no time in calling a senior staff meeting to get the escape attempt underway. The days of just sitting and waiting had done little for ships morale and Kathryn just hated the feeling of uselessness that accompanied hiding. Hopefully, if things went well, they could be back on their way to the Alpha Quadrant in less than four hours, or as seemed more normal, back on their way to the next emergency or disaster.
Tuvok and Commander Chakotay were the first to enter the conference room, the two men appeared serious and calm, their involvement with the current situation had not been extensive, but still they were prepared to do whatever they could to rectify the problem. Next to enter was the Doctor, he seemed rushed, his walk hurried and a frown marring his face, as eyes searched the room in an urgent search for something. That something was obviously still missing because he soon took a seat and began drumming his fingers on the conference room table, a habit that was soon stopped with a look from the Captain.
Seven and B'Elanna entered together, they were still discussing last minute arrangements for the projects sequencing, unconsciously touching one another to make a point or add a suggestion. For anyone who really looked, which at that moment was limited to Janeway, it was obvious that something had changed between them. The Doctor, who looked up a few seconds after the Captain, failed to see this new closeness, his mind still fixed on the problem of Mr Paris and his wandering libido. He did manage to bestow a warm smile on the young blonde, and after a seconds thought, one of equal warmth and sincerity at her half Klingon companion. The EMH might not have been aware of the extent of Seven and B'Elanna's relationship, but he had noticed a definite softening of attitude between the two and if one person on the ship could fully explain Tom Paris' defects, it was his former girlfriend. Therefore, in case his own approach failed, the Doctor began to work out a way to convince the engineer to help him in deterring Seven from succumbing to Tom's seduction techniques.
Totally unaware of the thoughts they had sparked, the two women took their seats and waited impatiently for the remaining senior officers to arrive. Harry was soon seated and looking expectantly from the Captain to B'Elanna and then over to Seven, his eagerness to put the escape into practice was almost palpable. Last, as could have been expected, came Ensign Paris, his face at first showed little beyond vacancy, but when he came into sight of Seven his face lit up and a smile danced across his face. Unfortunately the Doctor decided to abruptly stand just as Tom was passing his chair, and said chair ended up hitting him rather forcefully in the stomach. The smile was soon gone, and amid the Doctor's insincere apologies could be heard the distinct sound of muffled laughter, decidedly feminine laughter.
"I think it's time we started, don't you?" Janeway's voice was granite as she looked from a smirking B'Elanna to the smug faced EMH. Her stare was met with looks of contrition and general eagerness to get on, even Tom seemed to want things to begin, his expected response of whines and accusations were missing, as he just took his seat. "Fine, B'Elanna I'll let you explain the details."
"Captain." Pressing a button on her data padd B'Elanna transferred the information to the screen at the back of the room, and with an almost accidental brush of Seven's arm, made her way to the back of the room to begin her recitation of the facts. "This is a basic chart of our position at the moment, as you see we are entirely hidden from view by the sun's corona, but if we take any evasive manoeuvres we will come into range of the three enemy vessels in this sector here." She jabbed a finger at the three little triangles that represented the ships, it was at times like this that she felt most like a stuffy Star Fleet officer, laying out her proposals in an intricate and hi-tech manner, so different from the scrappy pieces of paper and flickering data terminals she'd had to use in her early days with the Marquis. Looking over at Seven, she admitted the benefits of looking like a button downed academy bore for a few minutes, were a lot higher than anything she'd received while working with the Marquis. God she had it bad. "As you can see from the picture of the sun, the outer layer of..." B'Elanna's explanation lasted approximately sixteen minutes, and in that time she referred to Seven eleven times, garnering knowing smiles from Janeway and Harry, and a curious quirk of the eyebrow from Tuvok.
"Tuvok, how has the search for a suitable blast sight progressed?" Janeway turned her attention to her old friend as soon as B'Elanna had retaken her seat.
"From the astrometric and science data that has been collated, a location of higher probability has been ascertained." Tuvok passed a data padd to the Captain. "A spread of torpedoes launched at this time, over the specified area, has a 92.7% probability of producing the type of solar matter disturbance we require. However, we cannot guarantee the exact size or trajectory of the pieces of matter the explosion will produce."
Janeway nodded before looking over at Tom. "In the event of errant matter it is your job to make sure the ship stays out of the way of any danger, we will.."
"Don't worry Captain, I'm sure Voyager can out run anything that sun throws at us." Tom interrupted with a confident smile.
"You can't out run it!" B'Elanna exploded, wondering if the man had actually listened to a word of what she'd just said. "We have to look like just another.."
"Lieutenant!" Janeway snapped, if anyone was going to do the admonishing around here it was going to be her. "Mr Paris, I take it you are aware of your duties in this matter?"
"Yes ma'am." Tom shot B'Elanna a dirty look. "I didn't mean the comment literally, I realise Voyager needs to stay disguised among the other pieces of debris."
"Good." Janeway looked around the table, trying to dispel the less than pleasant atmosphere that had descended. Her stare landed on the Doctor, who was in the process of giving Tom Paris one of the most aggressive looks she had ever seen from the hologram, outside alien infection. She took a second to wonder what could have caused the animosity, the two had always had a less than friendly relationship, but never anything like the anger that appeared here today. It would seem Tom Paris was amassing quite a collection of adversaries of late, and if she were in a who dunnit Kathryn would expect him to keel over dead any second. Fortunately for Tom this wasn't a murder weekend. "Any more questions?"
"There was one thing Captain." Tom piped up, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to speed up his plans. "It's not exactly relevant to the actual plan, but I was wondering about the celebration."
"Surely there's plenty of time to talk about that later?" Janeway dismissed.
"Well.." Tom tried his most persuasive grin. "I would have thought after all the stress of the last few days, the crew could do with some form of relaxation and the sooner the better. Therefore I was gonna suggest we have the party tonight, once we're certain Voyager is in the clear."
"Tonight?" Janeway looked extremely sceptical.
The Doctor looked ready to explode at this news, he'd thought he or Neelix would have had a few days to talk with Seven and dissuade her from sleeping with Mr Paris, but if it happened tonight there was no way he could find an excuse to talk with her. "Captain, I would strongly advise against this." At Janeway's curious look the EMH scanned his data base for some rational reason to present to her. "The engineering and bridge crew will have been exposed to high levels of stress, as Mr Paris pointed out, and to suddenly be propelled into a social gathering could have psychological draw backs." The Doc realised he was pushing it by the frown that appeared on Chakotay's brow, he knew that it was common practice among the marquis to celebrate any victor when you could, just in case you didn't survive much longer. "Waiting a day or two would allow the crew some time to relax and more fully process all they had been through."
"This is not a major battle, I fail to see the need for such concern." Seven countered, it was unusual for her to comment on such trivial matters as parties, but on this occasion she was eager to share her first official date with B'Elanna and any delay was annoying.
The Doctor looked at Seven with a worried frown, he hoped that his young friend didn't already know of Paris' plans, and was actually anticipating them. "It's for the best Seven, believe me, you'll thank me one day."
The odd comment was met by a curious look from Janeway, but at the moment she had more important things to think about. "This is not the time to discuss the matter, I will consult with Mr Neelix about the party, only after we are away from danger, you are dismissed."
Tom rose from his seat and quickly walked round the table in the hopes of talking with Seven, and laying the ground work for his proposal. Seeing the ensign approach, the EMH stood and he too began walking towards Seven, slightly knocking against Tom in the process.
"Watch it." Tom muttered, his voice low so as not to arouse Seven's attention. "Before I rearrange your programming." The last part was so low not even the Doctor heard what he'd said.
The doctor just ignored him, bestowing a friendly smile on Seven and B'Elanna as they turned to observe the two approaching men. Seeing Tom about to speak the EMH cleared his throat unnecessarily, attempting to get everyone's attention, but before he could say anything the Captain's voice interrupted the quartet.
"Seven, can you stay behind for a moment."
With Seven's ascent the Doctor, Tom and B'Elanna left the conference room, each sparing the young blonde a fond look on their way out, but it was only the half Klingon's smile that was returned by the younger woman.
*
On entering the turbolift B'Elanna was less than pleased to find that Tom Paris was accompanying her, but she at least had the comfort of the Doctor's company, which would mean she didn't have to be alone with her ex.
"Shouldn't you be manning the helm?" She accused, worried that Tom was about to do something to upset all of their hard work.
"I just have to have a word with my trainees." Tom said importantly, his chest puffed out. "Then I'll retake my post, long before I'm needed for your little disappearing act."
B'Elanna bristled at his tone but managed to keep her tongue, not wanting to get into any more arguments. The remembrance of Seven's appraisal of the ensign as 'insignificant' did a lot to curb her impulses, that and simply zoning Tom out to concentrate on her more important project, where to take Seven on their first official date.
"Are you looking forward to the party?" Tom asked, interrupting her thoughts with his smarmy voiced question. He thought now would be a good time to start digging at B'Elanna's single state, only to have her mistake in dumping him compounded when she saw him propose to Seven. That was a time he was looking forward to, almost as much as his wedding night, or if his luck and charm held out, the night of his proposal.
"Party?" B'Elanna looked at him blankly, not sure why anyone would be worrying about a silly party when they were in the middle of a crisis.
"The celebration." Tom tried once again. "Personally I can't wait for a chance at a bit of dancing and fun." He smirked at the last word, his intentions lost on B'Elanna but earning a stern look from the Doctor.
"Oh, that." B'Elanna just wished the turbolift would hurry up and arrive at her floor and spare her any more of this idiots ramblings. "I doubt I could go, I am under house arrest remember?"
"Oh." Tom's brow furrowed, he needed B'Elanna at the party.
"Perhaps the Captain will permit you a reprieve in order to attend?" The EMH offered, he too wanted B'Elanna to be at the party, as she could prove a stumbling block to Tom's plans. "I could have a word with her for you."
"Thanks, but I don't think she'll change her mind." B'Elanna was pleased by the Doctor's offer, although she didn't quite understand why anyone would be overly concerned with just another in a long line of Neelix's parties.
"I could speak to her too." Came Tom's uncharacteristically generous offer. "I mean it was because of our little, erm disagreement, that she put you under arrest, so if I talk to her she might let you go."
The Doctor and B'Elanna both looked at the helmsman as if he'd just grown another head, although the EMH did start to get a worrying idea as to the man's intentions.
"We'll see." Crossing her arms B'Elanna hoped she'd conveyed her disinterest in the conversation.
"Seven seemed eager to attend the party." The Doctor addressed his comment to B'Elanna, but it was really Tom who he was aiming his words at. "It's lovely to see such innocent excitement from her."
"Well maybe she has something special to be excited about?" Tom tried desperately to hide his smile, just in case he gave away anything of his intentions.
B'Elanna just stared at him, her thoughts suddenly focused back on Seven's unusual interest in the party. They had never really talked about it, but it was more than possible the younger woman had expected them to attend the event together, as their first real date. If that were so, B'Elanna would hate to disappoint the young beauty and would even accept Tom's help if it meant she could give Seven the date she deserved. But just in case Janeway decided to continue her confinement to quarters, B'Elanna wanted to figure out a way to make it up to her young love.
"She is a very special young woman, but she does lack experience on some matters." The Doc turned his gaze to Tom. "It is our responsibility to make sure nothing untoward happens to her."
"Yeah, sure." The helmsman totally missed the intention of the EMH's words.
"I wouldn't be the only one upset if anyone took advantage of her innocence." The threat inherent in the Doctor's words was obvious to B'Elanna, but missed entirely by Tom.
"I.." B'Elanna cleared her throat nervously, feeling like she'd just been brought before Seven's father to explain her intentions. "You don't have to worry about anyone taking advantage of her, I wouldn't let that happen."
The Doctor smiled at the nervous woman, thinking she'd just pledged to keep Seven safe from Tom's hormonal advances. "I'm glad to hear that B'Elanna, I always thought I could rely on you in that regard."
B'Elanna spared him a small smile, her mind taken up with the idea that maybe she was taking advantage of Seven, or planning to do so. Ever since the night the younger woman had turned up at her quarters and they'd come closer than ever to consummating their relationship, she'd thought of nothing so much as being with Seven. Hour spent imagining what it would be like to touch that perfect body, to feel her growing excitement. Then more time spent planning how and when they could be together, every detail researched to guarantee the perfect date, the perfect time for them to finally make love. Kahless! She was acting like a hormonal teenager, obsessed with sex, no worse than that, she was acting like Tom Paris. That last thought truly disgusted B'Elanna, she wanted to express her feelings for Seven not treat her like some conquest. She needed to slow things down, no matter how tempting she always found Seven, she couldn't let the younger woman do something she might not be ready for. They would be together, she hoped, one day, but not until Seven was totally ready.
"B'Elanna?"
She turned to look at the Doctor, her mind still occupied with thoughts of Seven. "Yeah?"
"This is your stop." The Doctor was looking at her rather oddly and she realised she'd been standing like a mannequin infront of the open doorway for several minutes. With a curt nod she left the turbolift and headed to main engineering.
*
After making sure the last of the senior staff had exited the conference room, Kathryn Janeway made her way to an impatiently waiting Seven of Nine, and placing a hand on the young ex-Borg's shoulder encouraged her to sit.
"Is there something about the project you wish to discuss Captain?" Seven probed. She would normally have waited for her commanding officer to state the nature of their meeting, but she was anxious to get back to engineering. "We are due to begin in less than fifteen minutes."
"I'm aware of that Seven, and don't worry I won't keep you long."
"Acceptable." Seven clasped her hands on the table infront of her and gave Janeway a 'get on with it' stare.
"This is the first time I've had the chance to speak with you alone since I heard about your burgeoning romance." Kathryn stopped herself from saying B'Elanna's name jut in case she'd read the signs wrong and it was Tom, Seven was dating. "I just wanted to let you know that I was here for you to talk with, if you had any questions or worries." Kathryn reached out and placed her hand over Seven's on the conference table. "It's perfectly normal to have some doubts or concerns when entering your first serious relationship, and if I can be of any help I will."
"I appreciate your offer Captain." Seven looked down at their joined hands and experienced a warm sensation course through her body. It was nothing like what she felt when B'Elanna touched her, the intensity and passion of even the slightest contact with the half Klingon set her skin on fire, but the feeling was welcoming and it too made her feel loved. Seven was about to rise when she recalled that there was one thing she needed assistance with and that the Captain would be someone with experience on the subject. "I do have one question Captain."
"Yes?" Kathryn gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. "You can ask me anything Seven, whatever it is stays between the two of us."
"Thank you." Seven took a second to rethink how best to phrase her enquiry. "How do I go about instigating a sexual encounter?"
"What?" Kathryn's eyes bugged slightly on hearing the words.
"I wish to know how best to instigate a sexual encounter." Seven repeated. "Is there some special procedure? A certain pattern of events that is usually successful?"
"I.." Kathryn was only now beginning to understand why her mother had cringe so noticeably when she'd begun informing her of how and with whom she'd lost her virginity. Openness and honesty was fine in theory, but hearing someone you considered almost a daughter talk about sex was extremely off putting. "Do I take it that you haven't, erm, been with this person yet?" 'Please say you haven't.' Kathryn thought to herself, while at the same time sending out a prayer for forgiveness to her mother.
"Not yet." Seven's brow crinkled in frustration. "I tried to initiate our first time, but B'Elanna said we should wait."
"Good." The word escaped Kathryn's lips before she could stop herself, it applied to both the restraint of her chief engineer and that it was indeed the half Klingon and not Mr Paris who Seven was dating.
"I fail to see what is so good about it." The frustration on Seven's face had multiplied dramatically. "I may have agreed with B'Elanna at the time, considering the restrictions on our movements due to 'your' orders, but I fail to see why that is good."
"I'm sorry Seven. I only meant that it was good B'Elanna wanted to take her time." Seeing the irritated look on her young friends face Kathryn decided she had to add something a bit more promising. "It shows she's serious about your relationship."
The soul stealing smile that crossed Seven's face was all the proof Kathryn needed that the ex-Borg was also extremely serious. However, being Borg, Seven didn't let a little diversionary tactic keep her from the original question. "I still wish to know how to initiate a sexual encounter."
"Right." Kathryn fought to stop the blush she feared was making its way to her face, starship captains do not blush. "Perhaps it would be best if you allowed B'Elanna to initiate your first encounter?" Kathryn offered, hoping B'Elanna would continue her plans to take things slow.
Seven didn't look happy with this piece of advice. "Are you suggesting she take the lead because of her experience or because she is part Klingon?"
"Huh?" It wasn't the most articulate response but it did give Kathryn's mind the time to analyse the new angle she had previously overlooked, B'Elanna's Klingon nature. "Does the idea of her more aggressive Klingon side frighten you?"
"No, I am Borg."
"You were Borg, you aren't anymore." Kathryn moved slightly closer to Seven, hoping to convey the seriousness of her question. "Have you thought about how B'Elanna being part Klingon might effect the physical side of your relationship?"
"Are you suggesting that B'Elanna would hurt me?" Indignation was plain in Seven's clipped tone.
"No, of course not." Smiling gently Kathryn hoped to settle her overly emotional friend, the strangeness of the thought only registering a few moments later. When had Seven become so in tune with her emotions? If it was a side effect from her feelings toward B'Elanna, the relationship could only be seen as a positive thing, so far. "I trust B'Elanna not to knowingly hurt you, but I just wanted to make sure you were aware of any possible problems before hand."
"I do not believe B'Elanna's aggression, if she should choose to display it, will be a problem." A smile of a more erotic nature passed Seven's lips for a moment. "I believe we are quite evenly matched in that respect."
"Oh."
"Is, is it normal for someone to think constantly of being with someone else?" Seven questioned shyly, the almost predatory look of moments before gone in a show of innocent insecurity. "I do not mean just in a sexual way, but just to be near them to talk with or touch?" She had actually been concerned about the frequency of her daydreams featuring B'Elanna, and the amount of time she seemed to spend on planning their future encounters.
"I think it's perfectly normal." Kathryn replied wistfully, "When you're in love."
Seven just smiled at her friend, any words she may have spoken interrupted by the activation of the comm. link.
"Yes B'Elanna?" Kathryn couldn't keep the smile from her voice as she witnessed the sparkle that seemed to enter Seven's eyes on hearing B'Elanna's voice.
"Understood, she'll be there shortly, Janeway out." Kathryn spared a look at Seven, who was already rising from her chair. "You'd best not keep her waiting."
"Captain." Seven nodded before heading towards the doors, her stride momentarily halted as she realised the Captain had never actually answered her question, or at least not in any way she found useful. It would appear she would have to work out the details for herself, but that was fine, she was, or at least had been, Borg, she would adapt.