DISCLAIMER: Since this is right up Paramount's alley, they probably thought of it first. So, the characters belong to them. The drabbles are mine, whether or not I really want them.
I also disclaim all responsibility. This was entirely Espalia's fault. A long-ago challenge to start a story with a very specific line got me thinking. A dreary summer day got me writing. The rest, as they say, is history.
. . . With a Hologram?
Harry
"Can you have sex with a hologram?"
Newly commissioned Lieutenant j.g. Tom Paris nearly spat out his not-quite-right plain tomato soup as he looked at his one and only friend aboard this flying disaster he found himself on. But, he mused, that one friend - Harry Kim - was more than a little naive, so he might as well answer. Leaning forward, Tom said, "Why?"
Harry blinked. "Just . . . curious," he squeaked.
Tom sat back, considering what he should say. He decided. "Well," he said, sighing, "in that case, the answer is yes."
Many years later, Tom wished he'd said something - anything - else.
=/\=
Seven
"Can you have sex with a hologram?"
Seven of Nine stood in the ready room, hands clasped, standing erect. The person at whom she directed the question sat behind the ready room desk, her face gaining red pigmentation at a rate of 47% per second.
"I ask because there are no males aboard who would be willing to assist me in social situations and I have no desire to put anyone in an awkward situation." She tilted her ocular implant towards the now bright-red woman before her. "Never mind," she said. "I will ask someone else. Perhaps Commander Chakotay will know."
=/\=
Janeway
"Can you have sex with a hologram?"
"Of course, Captain! Though, I must say, most standard holograms won't be nearly as well endowed as someone who has been able to make his own enhancements. You know, I've been meaning to ask if Lieutenant Torres would be willing to help me modify my program. I know she's busy these days, but I felt that if it wouldn't be too much of a strain on the ship's resources, she could come down here to assist me."
"With what?"
"An . . . enhancement. So that I am no longer a standard hologram."
"Forget I asked."
=/\=
That's all for now! I'm sure, however, that the rest of the cast will get their due - as soon as I can think up a way for Tom to ask the question!