Disclaimer: Everything Starfleet belongs to Paramount; yadda, yadda,yadda.

Author: Meeper Meeps

Written: 2/24/00

Characters: Seven of Nine and the Doctor

Note: This is taking place several months after "Someone To Watch Over Me".

Rating - PG

Homepage - none

"I, Doctor-"

   The Doctor examined the read-outs on his PADD closely, but to no avail. His eyes kept straying around the room.  *This isn't working. I just can't concentrate!* He thought in frustration.

   For the past 3 years and some months, the Doctor had been giving Seven of Nine social lessons. But the latest one had had an unexpected effect on the Doctor. He had realized that he cared deeply for Seven, and, at the moment, he couldn't get her off his mind.

   *I'm just going to have to de-activate myself, or something; I have to tell her. But how can I? It's not like she'd be interested in me or anything. I am a hologram, after all*. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table, thinking. Just then, the doors to Sickbay swooshed open and in walked Lt. Paris.

   "Ah, Lt. Paris, what can I do for you?", the Doctor said as he paced out into the examining room.

    "Well, I was helping, well, actually, trying to teach B'Elanna how to change a tire on my '69 Camero.It went alright for the first 20 minutes, but then she got angry because she thought it would be easy. And then-"

   "And then the jack slipped, right?" the Doctor interrupted, looking over Tom's slight cuts and bruises.

  "Well, not exactly. She was doing really well, so I leaned over to kiss her, and her hand slipped."

   "Well, that certainly sounds exciting; but next time, try to be more careful." The Doctor reached for the nearest hypospray and it hissed as he injected it into Tom's neck.

   "So, have you told her yet?" Tom asked teasingly.

   "Told who what?" the Doctor asked, but knowing full well what Tom meant.

   "Seven, of course. Did you tell her about your infatuation with her?" There was a slight pause, and then the Doctor answered.

   "Well, yes and no." The Doctor lowered his voice. "I kind of lost nerve at the last minute, and-"

   "You? Lose nerve? You're a hologram!" Tom sounded incredulous. "That doesn't mean anything," the Doctor retorted rather huffily.

   "Actually, I need some more advice. " he continued. "I want to know what you think would be a good idea or way to make her realize that I care for her and want her to have the same feelings."

   "Just tell her." Tom stated the obvious. "Just tell her how you feel and see what she says."

   "Well, I tried that, sort of; it's what I was trying to tell you just before you interrupted me so rudely."

   "Try it again. Just relax and pretend she's a holographic image, and it doesn't matter what you say." *Hmmm. That gives me an idea. I wonder what would happen if...Nah, that would be really mean; but fun. And the Doctor would get what he wanted...*

   The Doctor's words broke into Tom's reverie. "-ank you for your advice. Maybe I will try it again." *I just hope it don't lose my nerve this time.*

   Tom swiftly jumped off the biobed. "Yeah, any time, Doc. See you 'round." The doors swooshed behind him.

   Seven of Nine stepped out of her alcove. "Regeneration cycle complete." The computer informed her.

"Seven of Nine, personal log - Today, after going to the mess hall and obtaining my nutrient supplement for this morning, I will then report to Astrometrics and finish my work there. After that, I will report to Sickbay and the Doctor will give me my monthly examination. End log."

   Seven of Nine made her way out of Cargo Bay 2, and down to the mess hall. Tom Paris was already seated in the mess hall, eating his breakfast with B'Elanna Torres. *Where is Seven? I need to talk to her.* Tom thought. Just then, the mess hall doors opened and Seven walked in. *Finally.*

   "Here, B'Elanna, finish this. I'm going to talk to Seven for a minute. I'll be back." B'Elanna glanced up, surprised, but didn't say anything. Tom had informed her of his plans earlier, and had enlisted her help.

   Just as Seven was sitting down at a table and placing a mug in front of her, Tom walked up.

   "Mind if I join you, Seven?"

   "I do not wish for human companionship at this moment."

   "But I need to talk to you. It's important."

   "Very well. What is it?"

   "Well, the Doctor would like to have your presence at Holodeck 2 tonight." He needs to confess his undying love for you.

   "Very well. What time?"

   "1900 hours."

   "I will be there. Thank you for informing me, Lt. Paris."

   "Oh, by the way, Seven. Don't mention it to him if you see him today. It's kind of a surprise." Tom added.

   "I will not forget." Seven informed him.

   Seven had finished her mug and left for Astrometrics.

   Tom and B'Elanna finished their breakfast and left also. *Now, I need to tell the Doctor something. Hmmm. What should it be? I know!* Tom grinned devilishly. B'Elanna, walking beside him, glanced up at him. "Oh no, what are you thinking now?" B'Elanna inquired warily. "Oh, nothing. Actually, I just thought of the story I'm going to tell the Doctor to get him to come to Holodeck 2."

   "Oh. Mind elaborating?"

   "Why not?" Then Tom told her the rest of his plan.

   The Doctor had just finished with Seven's examination and was thinking once again about her. *I wish I could just get it over with. There has to be a way.* As if in answer to his plea, the Sickbay doors swooshed open yet again, and Tom walked in.

   "Yes, Mr. Paris?"

   "I have an idea for you, about Seven. Why don't you create a simulation of her and practice?"

   "I tried that already. And then the real Seven came into the holodeck. That's when I lost my nerve."

   "Well, try a longer simulation this time. How about for 2 hours or something? You could take the hologram to Chez Sandrine or some other place and tell her how you feel."  Only this time...

   "Well, I'm not sure...But if you think it will work, then there's nothing to lose. When do you think would be a good time?"

   Tom had to fight to hold back his grin. "Oh, say about 1900 hours?"

   "Alright. But which simulation will it be?"

   "What about Chez Sandrine? The French are always good and I'll add a few things to make it extra-romantic."

   "It better not be *too* mushy, though. But I'll do it."

   "Good, good. Oh, and, you'd better wear a suit. You don't want to look sloppy."

   "Thank you, Mr. Paris."

   *Don't thank me quite yet...*

   "Now, B'Elanna, are you ready to help me?" Tom asked as he walked into her quarters. "It's almost 1900 hours. We don't have much time left, and I need some more ideas."

   "Alright, alright. I'm coming. Just hang on."

   In a few moments, B'Elanna joined Tom in the front part of her quarters and they left to go to Holodeck 2. B'Elanna stepped into the program and stared.

   "Well, Tom, you certainly outdid yourself on this one! You said you need more ideas; what else could you possibly add? I think it's perfect."

   Chez Sandrine was transformed from an average French bar into a quaint and romantic looking restaurant. White tableclothes and candles were on each table, and the waiters and waitresses were dressed in very formal clothes. The only thing on the menu below 10 dollars was the tea, and a cut crystal chandelier was suspended from the low ceiling, throwing faint  light into every corner of the room.

   "I don't think there's anything else you need to add, besides the Doctor and Seven." B'Elanna stated.

   "Well then. I guess that's the only thing I have to do."

   "Okay, let's go, then."

   They walked back out into the corridor and went their separate ways. B'Elanna to inform the Doctor, and Tom to inform Seven. Tom walked into Cargo Bay 2.

   "Seven, are you ready to go?"

   "Yes."

   "Alright. By the way, nice dress."

   With that, Tom left Cargo Bay 2 and met B'Elanna in the hall.

   "Well, I told Seven. But I don't know about her dress."

   The dress was a pale blue color, and had sequins sewn all over it so it shimmered when Seven moved. The material fell to just above knee length and was held up by spaghetti straps. Seven eyed herself skeptically once more, then stepped into the corridor and continued on her way to Holodeck 2.

   The Doctor, meanwhile, was also on his way to Holodeck 2, wearing a black formal suit and bow tie. He stepped into the simulation without hesitation and made his way over to one of the white-topped tables in a corner.  *I wonder when the holographic Seven will show up,* he mused. As if reading his mind, the doors to Chez Sandrine opened and in walked Seven.  It was all the Doctor could do to keep his jaw from dropping.  *Well, Tom certainly outdid himself this time.  He must have had to do a major overhaul on Seven's holographic image!*  The former Borg walked coolly over to his table and sat down.

   "Seven, you certainly look nice tonight."

   "Thank you."