Scents and Sensibility
By Lesa L.

Chapter Three

Tuvok's War Games/Tactical Maneuvers were in full swing. Voyager's corridors buzzed with activity as crewmembers went about their various tasks. Those lucky enough to not have a role in the war games had been told to stay in their quarters for the duration.

The crewmembers on Deck six had unexpected musical accompaniment during their duties. Harry Kim's quarters were located directly across from the emergency Security Station on that deck and the lilting strains of his clarinet drifted across the corridor, soothing the feverish minds of those people participating in the evening's activities. The events of the night before were common gossip by that time and the security detail were relieved to hear the lighthearted music, to them it meant that Harry had recovered from his near altercation with the Doctor, as well as his unexpected encounter with Seven of Nine. Hearing the soothing sounds coming from Harry's quarters they thought that he was all right. They were wrong.

The truth of the matter was that if Tuvok and his entire Security force had stormed into his quarters with phasers drawn, demanding to know the name of the piece he was playing Harry would have been at a complete loss. In actuality, while Harry Kim's body was still in his quarters, seated in his favorite practice chair, his fingers tapping the clarinet keys with consummate precision, his mind was elsewhere. He was listening again to conversations he had had last night and today. He was listening to the words of a song that seemed to be saying the words he couldn't. He was holding Seven in his arms and they were dancing.

Crazy how it feels tonight
Crazy how you make it all right love
You crush me with the things you do,
I do for you anything too.

"You don't have to apologize Harry. You didn't do anything wrong. I was silly, I thought that after you'd been with that Tal girl and now that the Doctor and Seven were together, that maybe I had a chance, but I saw the way you two were last night. There's something there, between you. I saw the way Seven was looking at you, she feels something for you. And I saw you with her, I think you're still in love with her, or maybe you're in love with her again, whatever. You have special feelings for her."

Lovely lady
I am at your feet.
God I want you so badly,
I wonder this could tomorrow be?

"I'm sorry buddy. That 'not a candidate' thing just came up, after she got hurt and you stopped by Sickbay to see how she was doing. The Doc got kind of concerned that you might still be interested. I figured you'd moved on so I told him about what had happened, so he wouldn't worry. I didn't think it was a big, um, anyway B'Elanna told me that some friends are more special than others and that sometimes I take you for granted, a little. You should have told me that you didn't like the idea of Seven seeing the Doctor. I'm not saying that the Doc shouldn't be with Seven, I'm just saying that I'm your friend first and that it was out of line for me do what I did. And then B'Elanna told me that if I can't keep my big mouth shut, I'd better use it for other things, but that's between me and her."

Lovely lady,
Let me drink you please,
I won't spill a drop I promise you.
Lying under this spell you cast on me.

"Listen to me Starfleet. I just spent twenty minutes talking to one confused Borg. It's pretty disconcerting to think one thing for a couple of years and find out that you might be wrong, so just bare with me on this. I know I used to tease you for falling all over Seven, but that was because I thought she was playing you for a fool. Well, she might not have been, exactly. Something is going on in that superior brain of hers, that she's having a hard time understanding. The thing is, her Borgness has admitted that she might have made a mistake when she started seeing the Doctor. She wants, make that she's interested in you and she's having a having a hard time dealing with the emotional fallout from it. You need to talk to her.

Lovely lady I will treat you sweetly,
adore you, I mean you crush me.
It's time like these when my faith I feel,
and I know how I love you.

"I did not realize that you and Ensign Kim were...friends."

"Perhaps you do not feel like celebrating?"

"I enjoy dancing with you Harry."

"You are watching me."

"Do you wish me to stop touching you?"

It's crazy I'm thinking,
just knowing that the world is round,
here I'm dancing on the ground.
Am I right side up or upside down?
is this read or am I dreaming?

His mind was so far removed from his body that he didn't hear his own door chime, not once but twice. He jumped, nearly dropping his clarinet when he heard his combadge chirp to announce an incoming message.

:::Seven of Nine to Ensign Kim:::

Tapping the gold and silver badge, he said breathlessly, "Kim here."

:::Ensign, open your door:::

Harry sprung to the door, quickly disengaging the privacy lock. The door swished open to reveal a slightly agitated former Borg.

"Are you well?" she demanded.

"I'm, I'm fine," he said quickly. "I was just practicing and must have...what are you doing here?" he managed to ask.

"I am dead," she announced.

He nodded with understanding at her unusual statement, "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you didn't suffer?"

"I did not," she replied, obviously chagrined. "I was given no chance of survival. Apparently both Cargo Bays decompressed when the supposed aliens attacked the ship. I would have been regenerating at the time and died instantly. Are you also dead?" she asked in a more amiable tone than that comment warranted.

Harry smiled, "No, I'm still alive. I'm down on the planet with the rest of the Senior Staff, being held for ransom. But since Starfleet policy is not to negotiate with terrorists, I'm sure I'll be dead soon."

Several crewmembers ran down the corridor suddenly with compression rifles. Ensign Ayala's head poked out from the Security Station suddenly. Not bothering to hide a mischievous smirk he announced in a booming voice, "Clear the corridors immediately, this area is being locked down."

Harry pulled Seven into his quarters and reengaged the privacy lock. Appearing nonplused by her sudden entrance she demanded, "Explain the reasoning behind Commander Tuvok's Tactical Maneuvers."

Grimacing slightly, he replied, "They are a little different, I grant you. But basically, Tuvok thinks that Security and Engineering are getting a little too complacent. He programmed the scenario this way to so that they really have to work on problems without the help of B'Elanna's expertise or you're um," he paused.

"Assets?" Seven pronounced.

Eyes widening in surprise, he nodded, "Okay, without your assets." He grinned and added, "Either that or Tuvok's planning a coup."

A smile curved her lips; "I do not believe that is a possibility."

"Maybe not, " Harry acknowledged, pleased that he had made her smile. "Seven, you still haven't told me what you're doing here."

"I wish to apologize for my actions of the previous evening."

"Apologize?" he repeated, feeling his stomach turn over, he fell weakly into a chair at his small dining table.

"Yes, I had a discussion with the Doctor earlier and he believes that I owe you an apology," she explained sliding gracefully into the chair opposite of his.

"So you think that what happened was a mistake?" Harry asked softly, unable to meet her eyes with his own.

"I caused emotional distress to several people. That was not my intention. But I do not believe that what happened between us was a mistake Harry," she said somberly, her eyes softening with uncertainty.

He exhaled with relief, telling himself to tread lightly, "Seven what did happen last night?"

"I presume you do not want a recounting of the actual events of last evening?" she asked. At his nod she continued, "I experienced many conflicting emotions last night. During the course of the evening I felt surprise, jealousy, annoyance, uncertainty, excitement, happiness, pleasure, sexual arousal, frustration, anger and finally sadness."

Harry watched her as she related her feelings, his eyes widening as the list grew longer and more diversified. "That's a lot of emotions to go through in one night."

"It was," she agreed. "What emotions did you experience?"

"I'd say all the things you felt, I felt also. I didn't catalog them," he admitted.

"Of course not," she said. "You are familiar enough with them to not need to differentiate them."

"I guess so," he nodded. He glanced at her, struggling with even more emotions, "Last night was the first time I'd seen you with the Doctor on a real date. I knew that you and he were seeing each other, but since I'd been on Gamma shift I hadn't actuallyà" He looked down at his clenched fist, opening the fingers and laying them flat on the table. He continued without raising his hands. "I had told myself that I as long as you were happy, I'd be happy for you. I had no right to feel jealous of him, but I did. It wasn't just that," he faltered, "I hated the way he ordered you around, telling you to do things and expecting you to just do them." To his surprise a pale Borg enhanced hand suddenly covered his. Raising his eyes to meet hers he looked inquiringly at her.

"I understand that you are uncomfortable discussing this subject," she said softly. "As am I. However if we are to enter into a romantic affiliation it is important."

Harry smiled softly, not quite sure of what he'd just heard. "Are we going to enter into a romantic affiliation?" he asked cautiously.

"Do you wish to?" she asked him seriously.

"You didn't answer my question," he pointed out playfully. Looking down at their hands he moved his slowly until their hands were in alignment and then intertwined their fingers.

Seven closed her eyes for a brief moment, "It is intriguing how such a simple gesture can provoke a pleasurable physical response."

Harry felt a warm wave spread through his body. He knew that the impossible had happened, she did have feelings for him. A wide grin lit his face as she responded with a soft smile of her own.

For a few moments they sat in companionable silence, finally Seven said seriously, "Harry, at one time you had romantic feelings toward me, is that correct?" At his nod she continued, "I wish to know what occurred to make you no longer desire a romantic affiliation with me."

The smile slid off his face as he moved to pull his hand away, the sudden tightening of her fingers stopping him. "I don't wantàI mean it'sà"

"Please," she urged him. "Please tell me what occurred."

He shook he head slightly, "I'm not sure where to begin."

"Begin at the beginning and when you get to the end stop," Seven informed him smugly.

"Alice in Wonderland?"

"That is correct," she nodded, obviously pleased that he understood the reference. "It is one of Naomi Wildman's favorite books. Now, please continue."

He nodded then began to speak hesitantly, "It was a couple of days after we'd left the 'Void.' I was clearing some old PADD's and came across the original one that I'd used when we started working on Astrometrics," he smiled softly at the memory. "It had all my personal notations and everything still on it. Then I saw that the next day was exactly one year since we'd started our work together. You'd been a part of my life for a year." His warm brown eyes met hers and she smiled softly. "I decided to contact you and ask you to have a drink with me to celebrate our Anniversary."

"You never contacted me to join you for a beverage," his companion pointed out.

"I know," he nodded. He looked away from her, the feelings returning painfully. "I was sitting there staring at that damn PADD and suddenly I thought to myself, 'Why are you still doing this to her? She doesn't even think that you're 'efficient' as a person. She'll never think that you'll be 'acceptable' as anything more. It's 'futile' to think she'll ever want you. Harry rubbed his eyes then looked up to see her sitting frozen in her chair. "Seven, are you all right?"

"I am not sure," she admitted. "It is surprising how my own words can cause me so much pain."

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Harry choked out. "I didn't mean toà"

Taking a shuddering breath she said, "I understand. Please continue. What happened after your epiphany?"

"I felt ashamed," he said simply.

Sharply she interjected, "Ashamed because you had developed feelings for someone who was Borg?"

"No, never that," he answered honestly. "I felt ashamed because I had let my feelings for you get in the way of our friendship. You'd made it clear that we had a working relationship. I wasn't even sure that you knew enough about human emotions to know what I'd wanted."

"I knew," she admitted. "I just did not understand."

Warm brown eyes fixed on hers, "I wondered," he said hesitantly. "Sometimes you would look at me a certain way and sometimes you would stand so close."

Somberly she admitted, "I invaded your personal space like nobodies business."

"What?" he almost snorted with surprise.

"That is an expression that Lieutenant Torres used while we were in Astrometrics, it means-"

"I know what it means. It just wasn't what I expected you to say," he said. "Anyway," he continued, "I decided that I had to put my feelings for you aside."

"So, you simply decided it was time to move on," Seven observed calmly.

"There was nothing simple about it," he hissed. "You make it sound like I just decided to cut my hair shorter or replicate a new pair of pants! It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do," he said, pulling his hand back to rub his eyes tiredly. His brown eyes ached with pain as he looked into hers, "I knew it was for the best, and that if we are ever going to be even friends I had to stop thinking about you like that, but stillàI missed you," he said simply.

"I decided that it would be better if we spent less time together, so I suggested to Chakotay that it would be a good idea to cross train other crew members to work in Astrometrics. He agreed, I think he knew what I was trying to do, but he still went along with it. It was probably easier for you not having me around so much to annoy you with my inefficient conversation," he smiled sadly.

"You did not annoy me," Seven said.

"Like hell," he snorted.

"I did not understand your need for irrelevant conversation. However, after other crewmembers began to work in Astrometrics I began to understand that I enjoyed your presence more than any other crewmembers. I missed you also," she said.

"You never showed it," Harry pointed out, not bothering to hide his bitterness. "You acted just the same. Maybe it was good, it made me feel even more ashamed to have acted the way I did."

"I did not know how to show it. Perhaps I did not want to at the time," she admitted. "I am sorry."

"Don't be," he shrugged it off. "I just wanted you to understand that is wasn't easy. There were timesà"he paused. "It doesn't matter."

"It does matter," she reiterated, "please continue."

Harry took a breath, closing his eyes for a moment, "When One died," he began, referring to the Borg drone that Seven had come to think of as her own child, "I wanted to be with you so much. I knew that you must be hurting. I could see how much you cared for him. That night after my shift, I went to Cargo Bay two. I stood in front of the doors willing myself to walk through them."

"Why did you not enter," she breathed

"I was afraid," he admitted, resting his face in his hands. Without looking up he continued, "I was afraid that if I went in you would just act like nothing was wrong and then get angry at me for assuming that you were weak."

Seven stared at him her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Reaching out she gently pulled his hands away from his face and held them in hers. "That scenario could have come to pass," she admitted. "I was uncomfortable with the emotions I experienced. Your assumption was probably correct."

"Thanks, but I still felt ashamed. After that I knew that I had to pull back even more." Ruefully he admitted, "I even convinced myself that I had a crush on Megan Delaney."

"Ensign Delaney?" Seven repeated with surprise. "You wished to form a romantic affiliation with her?"

"Not really," he admitted shamefaced.

"I do not understand."

"I didn't either at the time. I just didn't want to think about a romantic affiliation with you. It was a joke really."

"I find nothing humorous about it," Seven said coldly.

Harry looked into her eyes, understanding that his admission was unexpected and possibly hurtful. He rubbed her hands soothingly as he explained. "It was a joke because those feelings weren't real. I wanted them to be but they weren't. I just was desperate to not feel anything for you anymore."

"How did you come to understand that your feelings for Ensign Delaney were not authentic?" she urged him to continue.

Studying her intent expression he asked, "Do you remember when Tom stole the shuttle to try and stop the Monean's?"

"Of course, she responded automatically.

He smiled, "Of course. Well, then you remember that afternoon when you, B'Elanna and I were waiting to find out what Tom's punishment would be?" At her nod he continued, "B'Elanna and I were there first, I didn't really expect you to show up. We didn't know if we would hear anything at all. But there you were."

"I consider Ensign Paris to be a friend. I wished to show my support for him. Also," she began and then paused, "also, I had witnessed your distress after the events occurred. I wanted to show my support for you," she admitted, actually appearing to color slightly at the admission.

Harry smiled, "I was glad you were there, but it was hard."

"Explain."

"You were standing so close, all I had to do was just reach out," he paused, flushed with embarrassment. "I wanted to hold you so much I ached."

A shadow of doubt crossed her features. "I did not mean to make my presence painful for you."

"It wasn't your fault," he admitted. "It just told me that I was being stupid about Megan and that I hadn't stepped far enough away from you. I stopped bugging her, and started spending more time alone." He looked down for a moment, knowing that he needed to continue but aware that his comments could damage what was still a tentative relationship. Meeting her eyes, he said slowly, "Then a few weeks later we came across the generational ship."

Seven added coldly, "Where you met the Varro female."

"Her name is Tal."

"Her designation is irrelevant!" she spat out, pulling her hands away before Harry could stop her.

He studied her features, he knew this women more than people realized. He'd learned her almost imperceptible changes of expression and understood that many times her cold retorts were her way of regaining control of her emotions. Firmly, he emphasized, "It's relevant to me Seven. What happened between Tal and I was important."

Suddenly, she stood away from the table and began to stride around it. As she moved she began to talk, "This affiliation was important enough to cause you to risk your life and the lives of the entire crew, possibly cause an intergalactic incident, have a letter of reprimand placed on your record and steal a shuttle for a joyride?"

Harry watched her moving around the table with fierce determination, almost throwing his neck out as he followed her progress. "A joyride?" he questioned her.

"A joyride," she repeated, her lips curling with disdain. "It was a term used by Lieutenant Torres this afternoon. No doubt she learned it from Ensign Paris. It is a slang term from the 20th century that means to steal an automobile or other method of transportation merely for the purposes of pleasure without regard for ownership or consequences."

"I see," he said. "Seven, what the hell are you doing?"

"I am pacing. Lieutenant Torres uses this method of movement as a way to expel excess anger and frustration."

He watched her swift movement as he considered his next words, "Look about me and Tal. I admit I wasn't myself and after the virus left I felt bad about what happened. I'm not proud of a lot of the things I did."

"You felt ashamed of your relationship with her," Seven observed still moving.

"No!" he thundered. "Your putting words in my mouth. Some of the actions I took to keep seeing her were wrong. But I am not ashamed of what happened between Tal and me."

Suddenly she stopped her movement. She faced away from him appearing to be study his replicator with great interest. Her voice was strained as she said, "You loved her."

"Yes," he admitted, taking in her rigid posture and unwillingness to address him directly, he rose speaking softly as he approached her. "I did. I've loved other people also. I loved Libby for a long time. I still have special feelings for her, we shared a part of our lives, but I moved on and I don't regret it," he said coming to stand close behind her.

Seven crossed her arms over her stomach. Without facing him she asked, "Did you regret developing feelings for me?"

Harry swallowed before replying, "I was sorry that letting my feelings out like that damaged our friendship." Carefully, he slid his arms around her allowing them to rest on hers. She stiffened slightly, but did not end the contract. "I never regretted caring for you Seven." He felt a slight shift in her posture as she allowed herself to lean back ever so slightly into his embrace.

"You did have romantic feeling for me at one time," she questioned him, "do you believe that you could ever develop those feelings for me again?"

He smiled, closing his eyes with relief and allowing his cheek to rest against hers. "I don't have to 'develop' those feelings again Seven. If the way I feel right now is any indication they're still there or maybe they came back. I don't know. I don't care."

She sighed, leaning back fully into his embrace. "I am pleased to hear you say that."

"Hey, anything to please you," he teased her. Harry allowed himself to luxuriate in the unaccustomed feeling of contentment he was experiencing. "It's amazing what can happen in twenty-four hours isn't it?" he observed.

"It is," she agreed. "Although I am thoroughly enjoying the feelings generated by this embrace and I am pleased that we are going to begin a romantic affiliation, I also feel a sense of fatigue. It is not logical, I regenerated for the requisite amount of hours."

He smiled, knowing that she was still too new to emotions to understand, "I think we've both been put through the wringer and are feeling the affects." He explained, noting her look of inquiry, "Our emotions have been all over the place. Sometimes mental strain is just as exhausting as physical."

"Yes, that is a logical conclusion," she observed.

"Thank you," he smiled. He turned her towards him, "Well, now that we're both emotionally exhausted, I guess we need to think about what we're going to do for the rest of the evening."

"I had hoped to copulate with you," she replied, "however, circumstances beyond my control have negated that idea."

He stared at her for a moment, shock rendering him dumb, finally he blurted out, "Wait a minute, did you think that you would just come here, we'd talk and then we'd..." his hand waved as he searched for the right word, she supplied it.

"Copulate?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"No!"

"No?"

"Yes, I mean no," Harry said with a shake of his head. "Seven just because we've cleared the air and things, that doesn't mean we can start a relationship like that yet. What about the Doctor?"

"I do not wish to continue a romantic affiliation with the Doctor. I wish to begin one with you."

"Well, I appreciate that, very much. But you still need to talk to him, and tell him how you feel. Let him down easy. Right now he still thinks that your still involved, it would be like cheating on him. That wouldn't be right. I don't want to begin our relationship with us sneaking around."

"Lieutenant Torres told me that you would not be interested in such an arrangement," she said softly, with a touch of regret.

"Well, B'Elanna was right. Besides, we need to get to know each other again."

"Again?" she asked curiously. "We never ceased to know each other."

"Yes, that's true," he admitted. "We haven't spent very much time together lately and well, we've missed out on a lot of stuff. We need to kind of talk and get to know each other again." Harry paused, then asked, "Seven what did you mean 'circumstances beyond your control?"

The former Borg actually appeared uncomfortable. "It is a personal matter," she replied, again appearing to examine his replicator.

Harry studied her for a moment, puzzled at her nonanswer. His nimble mind automatically suggesting and negating ideas that could cause her to feel uncomfortable. Then his face lit with understanding, "Seven are you on your, I mean is this your...are you menstruating?"

Not meeting his eyes she nodded, "I apologize that I have made you uncomfortable."

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Harry said, "I'm not uncomfortable with it. It's a fact of life."

Surprised, she added, "The Doctor has explained that males typically experience embarrassment when matters of this kind are discussed."

"I'm not embarrassed."

"But the Doctor said--"

"Well, the Doctor is wrong," he said firmly, squelching the pang of annoyance he felt. "I studied biology you know. I got very good grades in it actually, would you like to see my test scores?" he added sarcastically.

Seven turned to face him. "That will not be necessary," she said coldly. "I appreciate that you understand the female reproductive system. However, you could still be uncomfortable with discussing the topic."

"I am not uncomfortable with the topic!" he emphasized. Taking a breath he continued, "My mom explained all that stuff to me as soon as I was old enough to understand." Noting her look of uncertainty he added with a soft smile, "Look, Libby and I lived together for almost three years. What do you think I did when it was her time, check myself into a hotel for a week? We went through it together. I admit that I was glad that it didn't happen to me, but I still helped her as best I could."

Nodding with understanding his companion said thoughtfully, "I had not considered that you would have personal experience with this subject." Two clear blue eyes focused on him, "How did you assist her? Did you provide medical attention?"

Chuckling he shook his head, "No, I mean not beyond getting her the pain relief hypos that she needed. I just tried to make things a little easier for her. I knew that she felt uncomfortable and I did what I could to make her feel better."

Tilting her head, she said firmly, "Explain."

"There's not a lot to explain. We would stay in instead of going out, watch holovids on the couch, snack and talk."

"And you found this pleasing?"

"Very pleasing," Harry nodded with a warm smile. "Just being with someone you care about is wonderful."

"I could see where that would be appealing. What items do we require to begin this exercise?"

He smiled at her choice of words, "Items, okay, first things first. Since we're here we might as well replicate some snacks."

"I do not require nourishment at this time," she informed him, with an arch of her brow implant.

Suppressing a smile, Harry tapped several commands into the console, he knew better than to argue with her. "That's fine," he said, "that means there's more for me." They heard the faint hum of the replicator and a large, clear polymer bowl appeared, the bottom of which contained a handful of golden brown seeds.

With a slight smirk Seven observed, "Apparently you are not very hungry."

"Just wait a minute," Harry admonished her, as he tapped out another command. Seven was startled as the golden brown seeds began to explode. Enjoying her look of puzzled inquiry, he explained, "Those are dried corn kernels. This is popcorn."

"Popcorn," Seven repeated, watching with childlike fascination as the handful of kernels turned into fluffy white shapes.

"Yes, I have to have popcorn when I watch a holovid. It's part of the experience." Noting the slight flare of her nostrils, he announced, "It smells great doesn't it?"

"The odor is pleasing," she admitted. "Scent is important to you?"

"Of course. When something smells good, you enjoy it more."

An enigmatic smile crossed her lips, "I agree."

Harry chuckled, "I'm glad you don't think it's irrelevant."

"It is definitely not irrelevant," she assured him.

"Glad to hear it," he said. The popping slowed down then came to a stop as the kernels reached the edge of the bowl. "It's done," Harry said reaching to remove it. "Here hold the bowl while I get us something to drink." He hesitated knowing her usual request, "Did you want some water?"

To his surprise she shook her head, "No, not at this time. Please choose something for us."

Grinning with delight, he nodded then tapped a command into the replicator. Two pint glasses appeared, brimming with clear, carbonated, brown fluid and topped with a layer of foam. A look of uncertainty crossed Seven's features. "I do not believe that I wish to have a synthale this evening."

Harry picked up both glasses. "Don't worry," he assured her, "it is a kind of beer, root type. No synthahol at all." He held a glass up to her mouth allowing her to take a sip. An innocent smile of delight lit her features. "I'm glad you like it," he beamed. He moved to his couch, placing the glasses on the coffee table in front of him then sitting down. Seven followed his example, then looked at him expectedly. "Okay, next we need to decide what holovid we want to watch," picking up a PADD from the table he pulled up a list, "Did you want me to pick something? Or do you want to take a look yourself?"

"I would like to choose," she replied decisively. "Thank you." Scanning the PADD she observed, "There are a great deal of holovideos to choose from."

"Several thousand," he nodded, "if you can't decide I-"

"This one," she announced firmly.

"That was fast," he chuckled, taking the PADD from her. He glanced at her selection with surprise then looked back at her.

"The Doctor had requested that I read this story, at the time other things hampered my study of it. I do not think he would object to a holovideo of it."

"The Doctor wanted you to," Harry repeated, trying to squelch the pang of jealousy felt. "Computer, half lights," he ordered. At her look of inquiry he explained, "It's better to watch vids with the lights low."

"I was not aware of that. You were not trying to create a romantic atmosphere?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

"No," he answered quickly. "Not that I don't want to, butà"

"I understand," Seven assured him. "Is this the position you assumed when you watched holovideos with your fianc ?"

Slightly surprised by her choice of words, Harry said cautiously, "Well, sometimes we sat together on the couch like this. Sometimes we um, spooned."

"Spooned? I am not familiar with that term?"

Hoping he wasn't embarrassing himself he explained, "Spooning means lying together with your bodies in alignment. Like the way spoons fit together when you put them away."

"Hence the name," Seven nodded in understanding. "Forks also align themselves in a similar manner," she pointed out.

"That's true," he admitted, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief of their own, "but I think if you called it 'forking' people would get confused. Let's watch the vid now." Harry handed Seven her glass, then taking his own he settled back, she followed suit. The darkened monitor lit up and the credits began to play

"A Christmas Carol"
By Charles Dickens

"Harry your monitor is malfunctioning."

"No, it's not," he assured her. "This holovid is a copy of the original which was made in the early 1930's. It's in black and white. While the credits rolled he gave a quick history of cinema in the 20th century, mentally thanking Tom for this knowledge.

He munched popcorn as he spoke watching as Seven carefully chewed a single popcorn. Another childlike smile curved her lips as she observed, "I recognize this food. However I know that I have not tasted it on Voyager."

"You could have had popcorn when you were a child, before you were assimilated," he pointed out. She nodded and continued eating single popcorn kernels as they watched the screen. It was an interesting experience watching a holovideo with Seven. Her curiosity was boundless as she peppered him with questions.

Seven also seemed to believe that she should only eat a single kernel in each mouthful, however it didn't matter how quickly she ate them. Harry finally sat the bowl between them to allow her greater access, her see-sawing movement almost making him dizzy.

They had reached Fezziwig's Christmas party, which Seven seemed to enjoy very much. Harry smiled to himself when she wondered aloud why Neelix's parties weren't as enjoyable.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by the chirp of a combadge.

Seven tapped hers and announced, "This is Seven of Nine."

:::This is the Doctor:::

"Yes, Doctor?"

:::Seven what are you doing?:::

"Ensign Kim and I are ingesting popcorn and drinking root beer. We are also watching a holovideo."

:::I thought you were just going to go and apologize to him?:::

Harry swallowed nervously, hearing a note of distress in the Doctor's voice. After pausing the vid he sipped from his glass, feeling uncomfortably like an eavesdropper.

"I did go to his quarters to apologize as you requested. However, this deck was immediately locked down. Until the Tactical Maneuvers are over we are restricted to his quarters.

Harry glanced at his companion, was it his imagination or did she look a little guilty?

:::Seven, you could be there all night?:::

Yes, Harry thought, he's definitely distressed.

"I am aware of that Doctor," she replied calmly.

"I could authorize an emergency medical transport for you.:::

Change distress to panic, Harry thought.

"That will not be necessary. At this point in the exercise any change in the transport patterns could cause the scenario to malfunction."

Harry took a handful of popcorn, watching her expression as she spoke to the Doctor. An idea was forming that sounded implausible, but then a lot of things that had happened in the last twenty-four hours were implausible.

Suddenly the monitor screen in front of them was changed and the Doctor's visage filled the screen. Harry knew the Doctor had the authorization to override monitors in case of an emergency. He remembered B'Elanna seething to him when the Doctor's face had popped up in her bathroom terminal during a sonic shower. He had been pretty amused at the time when she related the incident to him. Now he made a mental note to himself to apologize to the Chief Engineer. It 'was' damn annoying.

"Doctor?" his companion asked in surprise.

He looked at Harry, "Ensign Kim, please excuse us, I need to speak to Seven privately."

Harry started to rise from the couch. Seven spoke sharply, "Resume your seating arrangement!" Harry sat back down almost knocking over the half full bowl of popcorn and feeling like an old earth style marionette.

"Doctor, these are Ensign Kim's quarters. Telling him to move to allow us to have a private conversation would appear to be rude."

"Seven, you'll need to regenerate that makes it a medical emergency."

"I do not," she replied. "After your examination. I returned to Cargo Bay two and regenerated for 3.5 hours. I will not need to regenerate for approximately eighteen more hours."

Harry watched the usual worry lines in the Doctor's forehead become deep gullies. His efforts to remain calm were painfully obvious, "Seven you can't spend the night there."

Seven appeared to consider his worlds, "That is correct. I have not asked for permission. It is rude to assume is it not?" Turning to Harry she asked with practiced ease, "Ensign Kim is it acceptable that I spend the night in your quarters?"

Remain calm, he told himself as his suspicions were almost completely confirmed. He knew that Seven routinely monitored bridge conversation as a matter of course both in Astrometrics and in Cargo Bay 2. She had made a special request and received approval to do so since that channel was not accessible to other personal terminals. Harry had not expected to have his deck locked down, it was not part of the original scenario as Tuvok had discussed it. However he had added that is was a possibility depending on the decisions of the command staff. Tuvok, Chakotay and the Captain were running the scenario from the bridge, the only person on the crew who could have received word about the lock down was Seven. The Doctor had told her that she should apologize this afternoon. She had waited several hours before coming to his quarters. She 'had' wanted to be here all night.

"Ensign Kim?"

Harry blinked several times before speaking. "I'm sorry? Yes, Seven of course you can stay here."

The EMH appeared to wince. Harry felt for the man, he of all people understood what it was like to care for Seven of Nine. "Don't worry Doctor, she'll be fine."

"I'm sure she will," the Chief Medical said with derision. "Seven, you know people are going to talk about this?"

Low blow Doctor, Harry thought.

"People gossip about my activities as a matter of course. It does not affect me. You would do well to not let it affect you either," she replied crisply.

Nice recovery Seven, the Ensign smiled.

"Doctor," she began. "If you have no other questions, I would like to return to the holovideo. It is adapted from a book you specifically requested I read entitled, 'A Christmas Carol.' Thank you for suggesting it, I am finding it to be of great interest."

"Your welcome," the EMH muttered. He sent an uneasy glance in Harry's direction before saying, "Goodnight Seven, Ensign Kim I will see you both in the morning."

"Goodnight Doctor," they said in unison. The Doctor's face disappeared.

Harry looked at Seven, "Are you all right?"

"I am fine. Thank you. I would like to continue the holovideo."

They settled back to watch the rest of the story. As the story became darker Harry glanced at Seven noting her wide eyes, and frozen posture. Finally when they reached the scene in which Ebenezer Scrooge views his own tombstone he heard her sharp intake of breath at the sight. He reached out to pat her hand and was startled to find it shaking. Wrapping his hand around hers, he said softly, "Do you want to stop watching it?"

"No! It is important that I continue. The Doctor believed that I would benefit by learning this story."

Harry paused the vid, then placed the empty popcorn bowl on the table and moved to sit next to her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder he tried to soothe her. "It's going to be okay."

She turned to him, her crystal blue eyes pained, "The Doctor believed my character to be like that of Ebenezer Scrooge. He wanted to show me that if I did not change my ways I would die alone and no one would mourn by death."

Harry cursed the Doctor's brand of 'Hit her over the head' symbolism. "Seven," he asked, gently, "When did the Doctor tell you to read the book?"

"Shortly before we encountered the 'Omega Directive' from Starfleet. I was not able to study it at the time and he never repeated his request." She alluded to a time the previous year, when the crew had to work to stop a civilization from using a monstrously dangerous particle as a form of energy.

"Maybe," Harry said, "he didn't think you 'needed' accread it anymore. You've come a long way since then you have friends. You participate in crew activities. Sometimes even without the Captain requesting you to do it," he teased. She smiled slightly, emboldened he added, "Hey, I've even forgiven you for demoting me to Two of Ten."

Her eyes sparkled, as she replied archly, "There was nothing to forgive. You were not following my instructions and were questioning my authority. We were operating as a collective unit, your actions would not have been allowed in the Collective."

Chuckling, he pointed out, "Yeah? Well, you were enjoying ordering us around just a little too much. Now, I want you to finish watching the story. It's going to be okay I promise." He squeezed her fingers for emphasis and she nodded her acquiesce.

The story continued as they watched Scrooge's attempt to redeem himself. Harry beamed as Seven's smile grew until she seemed to be lit up with pleasure.

She smiled warmly at him as the final credits rolled, "And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well."

Harry nodded, "I told you it would be okay."

"Yes, you did."

"I'm glad you picked that story. It was good to see it again," he said thoughtfully.

"You enjoyed it also?" she questioned him, "but you did not 'need' to see it again."

"Not in the way you mean," he explained. "But sometimes we get so wrapped up in our duties that we forget what's important. It's good to be reminded of it every now and then." Harry stood up, stretching his legs. Seven also stood, picking up the empty bowl and glasses then placing them in the replicator for recycling.

Harry watched her, still amazed that she was in his quarters with him, and it wasn't in an alternative universe or a dream.

Is this real or am I dreaming?

His combadge chirped interrupting his musical reverie. He tapped it, "Kim here."

:::Harry it's Tom. Are you alone?:::

Interesting move Doctor, he thought. In an artificially cheery voice he answered, "No Tom, I'm not alone. But you know that don't you?"

Seven met his eyes, her brow implant arched in surprise.

:::Okay, the Doctor commed me. He's worried about what's going on. What is going on? I thought you weren't well, you know?:::

"No," Harry replied wryly, "you assumed. As for what's going on, it's none of your business and none of the Doctor's business either. I told him Seven would be all right. Kim out," he slapped his combadge forcefully.

"Sorry about that," he said to Seven.

"Why are you sorry?" she asked. "I enjoyed the exchange."

Harry grinned, "Okay I kind of enjoyed it too. What did you want to do next? It's almost 2000 hours."

"What would you and your fianc do now?"

He considered for a moment, "We would probably get comfortable and watch another holovid or maybe listen to music."

"That would be acceptable. I assumed we were already comfortable?"

Harry smiled, "I mean we'd probably put on more casual clothes. I'd change out of my uniform and she'd put on sweats or something."

"Sweats? You are referring to exercise clothing?"

"Comfortable exercise clothing," he hastened to add, remembering what she usually wore for athletic activity.

"You will help me to choose this type of clothing," she informed him.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

A short while later they were again in his living area. Seven attired in soft knit leggings and an oversized sweatshirt of a soft gray hue. She had been amused when Harry had presented her with thick gray socks to wear.

Harry had used the time she was in the bathroom to change into sweat pants and his favorite Academy pullover.

Seven handed him the PADD, "I would like to view this again."

He glanced at the PADD, "Again?"

"Yes, I viewed it once with Naomi Wildman. It was pleasing. She informed me that it was acceptable to review holovideos that you enjoyed."

"Tom would agree with her. He has old holovids that he's watched hundreds of times," Harry said, tapping in the instructions as they both walked to the couch.

Seven asked casually, "Perhaps now we can assume the spooning position?"

Harry stopped in his tracks. More than anything he would like to assume the spooning position with her, butà"Maybe that's not a good idea right now."

She looked inquiringly at him, "You believe that you would become sexually aroused?"

Harry closed his eyes. Ouch, okay, be honest. "I'd say that's a distinct possibility. It's probably not a good time. Not that I don't want too, you understand?"

"I understand," she nodded with a pleased smile. "While watching holovideos with Naomi and Ensign Wildman they assumed a position that appeared to be soothing."

Relief. If she saw Sam and Naomi do it, it's got to be okay, he thought. "That sounds fine Seven where do you want me?"

"You will sit here," she replied, pressing him down on one side of the couch, she immediately lay down, her head resting on his lap.

Harry froze. He tried to collect his thoughts as the title appeared on the monitor screen.

"Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"
Adapted from a book by Roald Dahl

"Seven," he whispered. "This isn't a good idea."

She looked up at him, her brow implant arched clearly asking, again? Then she moved a throw pillow under her head and turned back to watch the vid.

"Thanks," Harry muttered. "The pillow makes all the difference." Actually the pillow and the still surreal quality of her presence in his quarters did manage to help him concentrate on the vid. He began to enjoy it, not having watched it since he was a child.

Perhaps because it was Seven's second viewing she did not have as many questions and seemed to not have to focus her concentration on it as thoroughly as before. Her observations made him smile, her announcement that the Oompa Loompa's resemblance to Species 3681 was fascinating make him laugh out loud, which seemed to please her.

He found himself studying her features. Savoring the fact that for the first time he could look at her as much as he wanted. A lock of hair had come loose from her twist and he attempted to move it back into position.

"Ensign Wildman did something similar to Naomi as they watched the holovideo. It is pleasing."

"Thanks," Harry smiled. "I aim to please." To his surprise she reached back and removed the pins from her hair.

"That will allow you greater accessibility," she explained without looking up.

"It will at that," he admitted, giving in to the pure pleasure of the sensation of his fingers combing through her soft blonde hair. He had dreamt of doing that. He'd dreamt of doing a lot of things actually, but right at this moment he was completely happy with this.

In a few minutes her eyes began to close, he could tell by her slow, steady breathing that she was sleeping. He sat lost in thought, as he looked down at the woman that had completely captured his heart. This was real and he was not dreaming.

A sound from his sleeping area brought him back to his senses. His eyes widened in surprise as a panel was moved from the wall and Ensign Freddie Bristow crawled into his quarters.

Harry's look of surprise paled in comparison to the complete and utter shock on Bristow's face as he took in the incredible vision of a sleeping Seven of Nine with her head nestled on Harry's lap.

Freddie moved backwards towards the opened panel awkwardly attempting to crawl in backwards. Harry held up his hand to stop him then beckoned to him. The Ensign approached, his eyes darting nervously from Seven to Harry.

"What's going on?" Harry whispered.

It was obvious that Freddie was thinking exactly the same thing. It was well known that Ensign Bristow was one of the biggest gossips on the ship. There was no doubt in Harry's mind that the news of his discovery would spread like wildfire. Freddie licked his lips before replying. "We're going through the Jeffries tubes to enter crew quarters and try to gather together supplies to help us take back the bridge. The more we gather, the more points we get."

"What kind of supplies do you need?" Harry asked.

"Any kind, weapons, engineering tools, medical supplies."

Harry pointed to his computer console. "There's a full tool kit in the drawer under my console."

Freddie grinned with gratitude. He almost tiptoed over to the console to remove the tool kit. Harry watched, the beginnings of an idea coming to him that was strictly speaking not very nice, but it also sounded pretty darn good. Harry beckoned to him again. Just as he began to speak Seven stirred, turning her body towards him and burrowing her face in the folds of his shirt.

Forcing himself to act as though this was a normal occurrence he asked Freddie, "Would an emergency med kit and a dermal regenerator come in handy?" He had to repeat himself because Bristow's attention was still focused on Seven.

All Freddie could manage was an eager nod. Harry leaned forward whispering into the Ensign's ear. Quickly he left, Harry smiling with satisfaction as the panel closed behind him.

Oh yes, this was going to be good. Tom had told him at lunch that he and B'Elanna had elected to pass the evening in his quarters. Tom had been so apologetic that he had even invited Harry to join them for a few hours. He had suggested they play cards or watch some vids there. Harry was eternally grateful he hadn't decided to join them. He knew Tom felt guilty about what had happened but the thought of how he would have felt as a third wheel when the other two wheels wanted to go around by themselves made him grimace with disgust. Smiling to himself as he recalled Tom telling him that he should have 'told' him that he didn't like the idea of the Doctor going out with Seven. Yeah, right, Harry thought, I might as well have put up a target on my chest with the words, 'ridicule me now' written under it because that's what Tom would have done.

Harry was a pretty even-tempered person. It wasn't often that he really lost it. Last night had been one of those times. He had been angry and hurt that Tom had repeated what Seven had told him when she was looking for viable 'first dates.' He was glad that he hadn't admitted to Tom how much her words had hurt him, but Harry wasn't above getting a little revenge. He knew that Tom had stored emergency med kits in both his and B'Elanna's quarters. Tom hadn't wanted to have to report to the Doctor every time he and B'Elanna got a little too "Klingon.' He also knew that the one stored in B'Elanna's quarters was unauthorized, Tom had stumbled upon it last year after the Hirogen debacle. The kit had been coded to Engineering and Harry knew that when it was no longer of use to the War Games it would automatically be returned there. Whereas his tool kit was coded to his quarters and would be given back to him.

Sometime soon, Tom and B'Elanna would be in her quarters and want to use the dermal regenerator and it would be gone. They couldn't ask what happened to it, because technically speaking it wasn't there in the first place. Harry felt a twinge of guilt his little prank would also cause B'Elanna some discomfort. But he also knew his friends. No matter what condition Tom was in she would make him return to his quarters for the med kit. The thought of Tom furtively racing back to his quarters bruised, battered and bleeding made him feel amazingly satisfied. Revenge was sweet.

With a sigh he looked down at the sleeping woman on his lap. Bedtime. Carefully extricating himself he moved to his bed to turn down the covers then returned to gently lift her andA CLry her to his bed. She half awakened as he smoothed the covers over her.

"Harry?"

"Shh, it's okay," he whispered to her. She looked up at him. He swallowed, she was so lovely, her eyes heavy lidded from sleep and a gentle smile softening her usually stoic expression. "You're in my bed, it's late and it's time to go to sleep."

"I was asleep," she teased him.

He wanted to kiss her so badly he ached, but settled for a gentle stroke of her cheek, "I know, but I don't think that you'd feel comfortable on my couch all night. See you in the morning."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to sleep in the couch. I just have to grab a blanket."

"I assumed you would sleep with me?" she said, rubbing her eyes like a child.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he smiled. Pleased at her assumption nevertheless. "Go back to sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"Very well. Good night Harry."

"Good night Seven. Sweet dreams."

"They will be."

:::Tactical Maneuvers have ended. This deck is no longer locked down. All personnel may leave their quarters.:::

The sound of the female voice of the computer awakened Harry. He felt amazingly rested his dreams had been sweet also. Stretching he smiled at Seven sitting in his armchair scanning a PADD. She had changed back into her unitard and her hair was in the usual French twist.

"Good morning Harry," she smiled.

"Good morning Seven. How long have you been up?"

"I awakened several hours ago. I do not require as much sleep as you do. My regeneration takes the place of some of my rest."

Before he could ask what she had been doing for several hours, his door chimed to announce a guest.

"Enter," Harry said automatically.

The doors swished open to allow the EMH to enter. "Good morning Seven, Ensign Kim. I trust you both slept well?" he said coolly.

Harry was impressed. The Doctor was presenting a good front, but he'd spent a lot of time with him and knew that's all it was, a front.

"I slept very well Doctor. Thank you. Ensign Kim's bed was surprising comfortable," Seven replied cordially.

Ouch, Harry winced. The Doctor's brows rose so high that it appeared as if they would just continue their journey over the top of his head and stop at his neck. Harry raised his hand to attract the Medical Officer's attention. "My couch is not as comfortable, but I slept very well also."

"I'm pleased to hear that you both slept well," the EMH continued grandly. His facade began to waver as he looked into Seven's calm blue eyes, "I knew that Ensign Kim would take care of you, but I know that you aren't used to spending time in people's quarters. I was very worried about you," he added, placing his hand protectively on his arm."

"I am sorry Doctor. I did not mean to cause you anxiety," she said seriously

Harry watched her, not realizing that he was holding his breath. She was not simply parroting the words for etiquette's sake. She genuinely did not wish to hurt this man that she considered her mentor and friend. What now, he wondered to himself?

The Doctor appeared to relax, "I'm sure you didn't. I believe that we should leave Ensign Kim and allow him to dress and get ready for his duties."

"Very well Doctor," she complied. Squaring her shoulders she addressed him in her usual strong monotone, "Ensign Kim thank you for allowing me to stay in your quarters."

He stared at her every trace of the warm and open woman he'd spent last night with was gone. "Your welcome Seven," he stammered.

"Yes, thank you Ensign," the Doctor said. "After you Seven," the Doctor waved to the door grandly. Seven left the room without a backward glance.

Harry stood, frozen in his place. What the hell just happened here?

THE END
To be continued and finished in Chapter four.