Seven overheard a conversation and did not know what 
to do about it. Lieutenant Paris and Ensign Kim were 
discussing Ensign Kim's romantic intentions. While she knew 
that eavesdropping was against the rules of etiquette taught 
by the Doctor, these rules of social conduct were of no help 
to handling what she was feeling. How would saying "please" 
or "thank you" help?  Not even the Starfleet officer's 
manual was of any help.

     Seven felt like she had lost something, but didn't 
know what it was. She admitted to herself long ago that she 
had extra emotions related to Ensign Kim that she did not 
feel for anyone else. She no longer questioned their 
validity or their existence. They just were. The meanings of 
these emotions, however, were indecipherable.

She found the very mention of Ensign Kim transferring his 
affection to another very disturbing. *How to keep his 
focus?* She asked herself.

She smiled and devised a project that would extend the 
astrometric sensors. Every time that she had worked on 
improving long-range scans, Ensign Kim had been assigned to 
assist her. She quickly estimated that the new improvements 
would require at least 38 hours of work.

     Seven was about to suggest the improvements to the 
Captain when Lieutenant 
Paris, Ensign Kim and herself were sent on a mission to the 
center of a water world. On the mission, she found 
satisfaction that Harry had translated her statements to the 
alien that went with them underwater.

     The days following their exploratory mission to the 
center of the water world were highly unusual. Lieutenant 
Paris had lost his rank, and Ensign Kim was very upset that 
Voyager had fired on Tom to stop him from damaging the alien 
industrial complexes that were harming the water world. 
Lieutenant, no, Ensign Paris was punished with 30 days of 
incarceration. While she deduced that Ensign Kim would be 
concerned for his friend in the brig, she also saw it as a 
window of opportunity.

     She wrote a proposal regarding the upgrades to the 
Astrometrics Lab and submitted it to the Captain. The 
Captain was remarkably predictable and approved the 
improvements.

*******

** The time is now 1102. **

Ensign Kim was to have reported to Astrometrics at 1100. He 
was late. Seven began to feel a bit annoyed at his 
tardiness. Ensign Kim was usually more efficient than that. 
It was then that Seven began to speculate on what could be 
causing the Ensign to be tardy. Various scenarios ran 
through her mind, many of them involving him in... romantic 
situations. 'Irrelevant,' she dismissed, clearing her mind 
and returning to her calculations regarding the power 
distribution.

Another minute passed. Seven, thoroughly frustrated at 
Ensign Kim's tardiness, turned around. "Computer, location 
of Ensign Kim."

** Ensign Kim is located in the mess hall. **

Raising her eyebrow, Seven plotted her next move.

     Ensign Harry Kim sat in the mess hall, blissfully 
oblivious to Seven of Nine's growing frustration. At the 
moment, he was watching Megan. She was quite beautiful, 
really. Jenny was with her and noticed Harry staring in her 
direction. Jenny thought he was watching her. She flew to 
Harry, who quickly decided to figure out a place to be. He 
need not have been worried.

** Seven of Nine to Ensign Kim. **

'Thank you Seven.' "What is it Seven?" he asked as Jenny 
reached his table.

** You were supposed to report to Astrometrics five minutes 
ago to assist me in boosting the range of the sensors in 
Astrometrics. **

Harry noted the disappointment on Jenny's face and couldn't 
help a slight grin.

"On my way Seven." With that, he stood up and headed towards 
Astrometrics, Jenny's disappointed look fresh in his mind.

     The doors slid open and Ensign Kim appeared, looking 
distracted.  There was something else she noted about him, 
but she was at a loss to identify it specifically.

"You are late, Ensign."

Harry looked at her for the first time. "Huh? Oh, sorry." He 
smiled reassuringly. "It won't happen again."

"It would be wise to see that it does not." With that, they 
got to work.

The work progressed quickly, but Seven noted that there 
seemed to be something missing. She ran a quick diagnostic. 
'Everything appears to be in order. 'What is the strange 
sensation that causes me to believe otherwise?' she thought 
to herself.

     Seven then went back and ran through the sequence of 
events. She came to a startling conclusion. The only thing 
missing was irrelevant conversation. A small part of Seven 
was pleased by this. A small part. But the rest of her felt 
the loss. She decided to put some of her lessons to work.

"Ensign Kim, have you felt well?"

Harry stopped working and looked at Seven. It had certainly 
surprised him to hear her speak. With irrelevant 
conversation yet.

"I've been fine. How about you?"

"I am well. Have you been working efficiently?"

Harry hid a smile. "Quite." He paused. "Are you engaging in 
irrelevant conversation with me Seven?"

     Seven was silent for a moment before she replied as 
she continued to work, "I am. Do you not wish to engage in 
conversation with me, Ensign Kim?"

He laughed and went back to working. "I don't mind. Never 
have. Just thought you didn't like to discuss things other 
than work."

"I do not mind. I find it usually... enhances my 
understanding of human culture."

"Glad to help you understand yourself."

They continued to work in silence. Harry couldn't believe 
that Seven had just started talking to him about things 
unrelated to what they were currently working on. 'Well, 
learn something new everyday,' he thought.

****One week later****

     Harry sat in his quarters, waiting. He had a date 
with Megan Delaney in three hours. He should feel happy 
since this was something he had wanted for a long time. But 
something about it felt wrong, and he couldn't pinpoint why 
he felt that way.

     The door chimed.

     "Enter."

     In came Tom Paris holding a PADD.

     "Hey there buddy..." He stopped dead in his tracks, 
there seemed to be a dark cloud over his friend. "Here's 
that holoprogram you asked me for..." He stopped and took a 
long look at Harry. "Harry, you paying attention?"

     "Yes... I was just thinking."

     "Don't tell me you're getting cold feet, you need 
this!"

     "No, not about the date. It's Seven, for the past 
week she has been..." He stopped.

     "Been what?"

     "She's been different, she's been starting 
conversations with me. Being, for lack of a better word, 
nice."

     "If that is possible." Tom said with a tone of 
amusement to his voice. That won him a stare of ice from 
Harry.

     Harry shook his head. "Never mind, I've got a date, 
right?"

     "Yes you do." Tom said as he slapped him on the 
back. "Now here's the plan..."

******

     Seven was in the mess hall when she overheard 
something that made her very angry and extremely sad.

     "Have you heard the latest?" A nondescript voice 
said.

     "No, tell me." Came another voice.

     "Harry Kim and Megan Delaney." Came the first voice 
again.

     "No!"

     "Yes, just saw them enter the Holodeck just now."

     "Poor Seven." Came a third voice.

     "Why poor Seven?" Came the first voice again.

     "You know how she refuses to work with anybody 
except Harry in Astrometrics, there has to be more to that 
then just Harry being efficient." Then came a fit of 
giggles.

     Seven just sat and listened. She had been holding a 
food utensil in her Borg-enhanced hand and when she looked 
down she saw that she had snapped it apart. She disposed of 
her tray and headed for the safety of her cargo bay.

     There she threw what the Doctor's texts called a 
temper tantrum.
Containers were strewn all over the cargo bay, but when she 
was about to smash a holo-picture she stopped. It was a 
picture of her with Harry taken at one of Neelix's 
gatherings.  She sat down and looked at the picture for a 
long time, then for reasons unknown to Seven, the excess 
fluid of her tearducts started to spill over.

     Meanwhile on the Holodeck, Harry and Megan were 
enjoying the talents of Tom's holoprogramming skills. Dinner 
had been wonderful and now they lay looking up into the 
stars, drinking something that Tom had ensured Harry would 
help things along.

     "Look, home." Harry said pointing at a faint star in 
the sky.

     "Where?" Megan said as she brought her head closer 
to Harry's.

     "There, the second star to the right."

     "And straight on 'til morning," she said.

     Harry turned his head and smiled.  Then Megan began 
to move closer, but just when their lips were about to meet, 
Harry's mind was filled with images of Seven, her smile, the 
few times they had touched and even her arched eyebrow. 
Everything he admired about Seven came flooding back to him. 
And he backed away.

     "Meg, I can't."

     Megan Delaney looked at Harry Kim quizzically. "Why 
not, Harry?"

     He sighed. "It's just that I have this feeling that 
I'm hurting... someone."

     Megan smiled at Harry. "You're so sweet, Harry, but 
I've talked to Jenny about this-"

     Harry interrupted her. "No, it's not that, Megan," 
he said, shaking his head.

     "Shhhh. Don't deny it. You know she likes you, but 
it's obvious you aren't interested in her. She wasn't happy 
about that, but she knew I was a little flattered by your 
attentions, and told me to go out with you."

     "She did?"

     Megan nodded. "And I've had a wonderful evening. Now 
shut up and kiss me."  She leaned over to Harry and 
connected her lips with his.

     At roughly the same time, Seven of Nine attempted to 
wipe the excess ocular fluid away from her right eye. She 
didn't understand her reactions to anything involving Ensign 
Kim lately, from the rampage in her cargo bay to the sudden 
flow of tears when she looked at her holoimage of the 
Ensign. She knew she should probably talk with someone about 
this, but refused to discuss her feelings with anyone. 'It 
will only make the others think I am weak,' she thought.

     She tried to compose herself. The Mess Hall 
conversation she overheard had affected her terribly, and 
she didn't ever try to dismiss the resulting unhappy 
feelings as irrelevant. It was bad enough that other 
crewmembers noticed her recent attempts to keep Ensign Kim 
occupied in Astrometrics. But learning that he had a 
Holodeck 'date' with Megan Delaney had devastated her.

     She looked around the Cargo Bay, at the chaos she 
caused in her rampage and back to her holoimage of the 
Ensign. She had to struggle to keep the tears from flowing a 
second time.

     Seven redoubled her efforts at composure. 'You are 
behaving irrationally,' she thought. 'If you wish to keep 
Ensign Kim's focus, you must think rationally.  Like a 
Borg.'

     "Computer, locate Ensign Kim."

     ** Ensign Kim is in Holodeck One. **

     A strong look of annoyance rose on her face. The 
Mess Hall conversation she had eavesdropped upon was 
accurate.

     "Is Ensign Kim alone?"

     ** Negative. Crewman Megan Delaney is also present 
in Holodeck One. **

     Almost reflexively, she kicked one of the cargo 
containers she had overturned. She rubbed her foot through 
her boot to try to ease the pain.

     Seven considered four options she thought viable. 
She could ignore the issue for now, and carry out her plan 
of occupying the Ensign with Astrometrics overhauls in the 
morning. She could confront Megan Delaney about Ensign Kim 
at a later date. She could hail Ensign Kim to interrupt his 
'date' with Megan Delaney. Or, she could physically 
interrupt them by going to Holodeck One.

     Confronting Crewman Delaney would be 
counter-productive and might get Seven into trouble with 
Captain Janeway.  Ignoring their date would mean that Ensign 
Kim would likely copulate with Megan Delaney; her research 
told her that copulation often occurred on 'dates', although 
her experience with Ensign Kim previously told her 
otherwise.

     She did not know how she would react if she found 
out they had copulated. Looking around her cargo bay at the 
debris, she decided the answer would be "poorly".

     Interrupting them physically might lead her to see 
the couple in a courtship ritual, something she also did not 
want to experience. That left hailing Ensign Kim.

     A look of satisfaction spread across her face as she 
realized what she would do. She would summon him to meet her 
in the Astrometrics Lab, and claim she had a 'midnight 
inspiration'. That stood a likely chance of working.

     It took her the next 1.8 minutes to manufacture a 
suitable 'inspiration'. She hit her commbadge.

******

     Megan had Harry's face in her hands, and was 
aggressively kissing the Operations officer. Harry was 
responding as well, if not as vigorously. Megan was 
certainly as good a kisser as her reputation stated, 
however, and he was certainly enjoying himself. He couldn't 
keep his mind from drifting, however, and the images of 
Seven he had been pondering a few minutes ago crept back 
into his mind.

     They continued in this vein for a couple of minutes 
before Harry heard a clear, confident voice.

     ** Seven of Nine to Ensign Kim. **

     "Ignore her, Harry," Megan managed to squeeze out 
between kisses.

     That brought Harry back to reality. He had been 
imagining Seven was kissing him, and it was oh, so sweet, 
even more enjoyable than having the recent object of his 
affections kissing him back. He broke the kiss and looked 
deeply at Megan.

     "You're good at this, Harry," she said seductively. 
In an almost purring voice, she leaned over and whispered, 
"Now where were we?" She kissed him again.

     ** Seven of Nine to Ensign Kim. Are you there, 
Ensign? **

     Harry eased his way out of the kiss, and looked 
sorrowfully at Megan. "I really should answer her, Meg."

     He tapped his commbadge. "Kim here, Seven. What 
would you like?"

     Harry wished he could have had said something else 
the second his reply left his mouth. He sounded exactly like 
Neelix when he served the crew his cuisine: so cheerful, yet 
somehow plastic.

     ** I would -like- you present in the astrometrics 
lab now, Ensign. I had a 'midnight inspiration' that 
requires your assistance. **

     Seven wanted his help now? Harry didn't know whether 
to thank the gods or cry in self-pity. If Seven had called 
him during any other off duty time for assistance, Harry 
would have no hesitation as to what his answer would be.

     Unfortunately, Seven interrupted Harry at the wrong 
time, right in the middle of an intimate moment in his date 
with Megan Delaney, when both were involved in a busy making 
out session. Also, the interruption was simply because Seven 
wanted Harry's assistance for a 'midnight inspiration?'

     Those last two words brought back the hauntingly 
embarrassing memory of an encounter that Harry would rather 
forget; the only memory involving Seven he wouldn't mind 
forgetting. Nevertheless, it was unusual for Seven to ask 
for assistance in the manner she just did; she always stated 
the specific problem. This, and her recent eccentric 
behavior, brought out a clear-cut conclusion. Something is 
going on with Seven. 'Could it be that... Seven is... No, it 
must not be that. It couldn't be that. She's Borg. It's just 
a coincidence. She needs my help. Nothing more, nothing 
less,' Harry confidently reminded himself.

     "Weeeell Seven, this isn't exactly the best time 
right now. Could it wait?" It was the most neutral answer 
Harry could say at the moment. And, after all, Harry was 
currently occupied by another lovely lady. He couldn't just 
come right out and eagerly accept Seven's call for help. 
That would be disrespectful.

     ** It would be an inefficient use of time. It is in 
the best interest of Voyager to proceed immediately. Your 
off duty activities -should wait.- **

     Harry received the impression that Seven was 
irritated from her dry reply. Maybe there was something 
important that required his help, and for the best interest 
of the ship, he should go to meet her right this instant.

     Yet Harry couldn't shake off the possibility that 
Seven only purposely summoned him for assistance just so she 
could disrupt his date with Megan. Seven's irritation 
partially proved that wild theory. Harry looked at Megan and 
saw the imaginary flames burning in her eyes. Her stare was 
almost comparable to Captain Janeway's famed death glare, as 
if saying Seven would pay a heavy price for interrupting 
them in their date, and then dare to take Harry away. Harry 
was literally stuck between two paradises: the opportunity 
of whether to stay and continue to enjoy his time with Megan 
or go help Seven in the closed confines of the astrometrics 
lab at this late hour.

     The image of Seven flooded his mind again. He 
imagined kissing Seven in his mind, and now he had a chance 
to see the real Seven; she gave him the perfect excuse.

     "Sorry Megan, but ship business comes first. Really, 
really, sorry." Harry whispered agonizingly to Megan.

     ** Ensign Kim, your answer? **

     "If it's that important, then I'll come down right 
away. Kim out."

     Harry got back on his feet and straightened out his 
clothes that had been wrinkled during the earlier intensive 
activity. He saw that Megan remained on the ground, so Harry 
extended out his hand as a gentlemanly gesture. She swiped 
his hand away as she turned away, and said bitterly, "Don't 
you have a Borg to help out?"

     Obviously Seven's need of Harry's assistance had 
pissed off Megan. Harry decided that there's nothing more he 
could say to Megan, so he headed to the Holodeck exit, 
apologizing once more before the door closed.

     Harry quickly arrived at the Astrometrics Lab. When 
the door swished open, the lack of sufficient light nearly 
caused him to stop and turn back. It brought out an eerie 
feeling that ran up Harry's spine. It was all too 
familiar...

     "I'm here Seven. What's going on?" Harry called out 
curiously.

     "Ensign Kim." Seven announced as she approached 
Harry, then stopping mere millimeters from him, well 
violating his personal space.

     Harry would have been grinning on the inside with 
Seven standing so close to him. But now, after the close 
contact with Megan and his fantasy of Seven, having Seven so 
close to him, with part of her anatomy coming in contact 
with Harry, caused him to feel just a tad bit jittery, as 
well as suspicious. But it was also the same scene that had 
played out in his dreams....

     Seven held out a PADD just below Harry's chin. "Here 
are the plans," Seven calmly said, looking Harry dead in the 
eye.

     Harry eyes traveled down to her lush lips. He had 
longed to know how they felt. It was nice kissing Megan, but 
it was the secret desire of Harry to taste those lips of 
Seven, and now he was so close to them. His self-control 
collapsed; Seven was so close to him, he couldn't let this 
opportunity leave and then later regret his lack of action.

     Seven knew Harry was going to kiss her. Her plan 
would be a success if that happened. She would have gained 
the Ensign's focus. She watched Harry move with the 
objective to meet her lips in a swift move and ready to kiss 
her - but the door opened.

     Strike One.

     There was a loud gasp. Harry quickly stepped away 
from Seven, then turned to look at the person who had rudely 
prevented Seven's plan from succeeding. Megan Delaney stood 
at the entrance with her mouth wide open in shock. Harry 
face turned pale. What comes around goes around...

     Strike Two.

     "You swine!" Megan yelled as she ran up to Harry and 
slapped him hard across the face. Harry winced at the pain 
on his cheek, but he ran out after her as Megan hurried away 
angrily. Harry abandoned Seven, not giving her another look 
as he chased after Megan. Seven could hear Harry explaining 
the situation while adding in desperate apologies.

     Strike Three.

     She's out.

     Seven stood frozen at what had transpired in front 
of her. This end result was not what Seven had expected. 
Bluntly put, the plan had simply failed. Not only was it not 
successful at seducing Ensign Kim, it also caused the Ensign 
to focus his attention back on Megan Delaney, thus 
increasing the chance of a more prolonged, continuous 
courtship ritual, which would eventually lead to copulation, 
then marriage, and finally offspring. That was not something 
Seven wanted to see unfold.

A different course of action would be required.

***********

Copyright by Resistance is Futile mailing list 1998

RiF Round Robin Continued HERE