This is my first piece of fan fiction, a big thank you to PJ and Jan for all their help. I welcome any questions or comments, I think. Azles01@aol.com A Women's Prerogative by Lesa Love The Captain and crew of Voyager was enjoying some much needed shore leave. They had contacted the inhabitants of Demiroti, a Post Warp civilization in the hope of trading for supplies, ready to dip into their supply of isolinear chips as a bargaining tool. To the Captain's great surprise and delight, the Demirotians main interest was for culture; literature, architecture, art but especially music. They were rebuilding their civilization literally from the ground up, having survived a devastating attack from a neighboring planet almost a quarter century earlier. In the midst of a cultural renaissance, Voyagers multicultural crew was a welcome gift to them. In return, the Demirotians had opened their hearts and stores to Voyager. The Cargo Bays were bulging with all types of food stuffs. Everywhere the crew went gifts were pressed on them clothing and other luxuries, that they had done without for so long. A small hotel in the center of the capitol city was opened to the crew, who all took a few days to luxuriate in the unaccustomed elegance. Captain Janeway had hesitated to accept all the gifts, but found that the people of the plant considered the Voyager crew to be their benefactors. To the Demirotians, the new culture that Voyager brought them was a godsend. The crew had been feted at many gatherings throughout the planet, delighting the Demirotians with their concerts and performances. The Captain had not realized how talented her crew was as she assembled programs that consisted of everything from operatic recitals to calligraphy demonstrations. Harry Kim had come in for special praise, his jazz quartet and classical solos had become a favorite entertainment of the Regent himself. The jazz quartet was playing in the Regents Performance Hall, a sparkling white building, both inside and out, decorated elegantly with curlicues and festoons. Most of the Terran members of the crew were instantly reminded of a spectacular wedding cake when they first beheld it. The main hall was filled to capacity, and the performance was being broadcast throughout the homeworld. The Captain had had no objections when the Regent had broached the idea of allowing that evenings performance to be broadcast, to her astonishment in exchange, the capitol city had sent its best engineers and technicians to Voyager to complete a total overhaul of ship's functions. B'Elanna had been in her element, the staff sent to her were highly trained and eager to perform any task asked of them, she had only just managed to change clothes and join Tom and the rest of crew at the Performance Hall. "How long did Harry say they were going to play tonight?" she whispered into Tom's ear. "I didn't get the chance to ask him," Tom whispered back. "I've barely seen him at all this week." "The music is great," B'Elanna muttered, "but this Demirotian respect thing is killing me. I've been on my feet all day." She was referring to the Demirotian practice of requiring all people attending a performance to stand out of respect to the artist. Only the aged and infirm were allowed seating in a special area. "Lean against me," Tom said, pulling her in front of him and wrapping his arms around her. "It's got to be over soon." "I wish there was some way we could crash the special seated area," she murmured. "Your not aged," Tom whispered huskily into her ear. "And your definitely not infirm," closing his arms around her, he added, "nope feels pretty firm to me." In a few minutes it ended to thunderous applause, and a great stamping of feet. The Regent came forward to present all the members of the quartet with a special medal, and his daughter followed giving them all huge bouquets of flowers which they graciously accepted. The broadcast ended, and the audience moved to the adjoining banquet hall. A huge room, with a ceiling almost three stories high, it was blanketed with flowers and lit with chandeliers filled with special ceremonial candles. Tom and B'Elanna spotted the Doctor and Seven of Nine at a table and moved to join them. B'Elanna slid gratefully into a chair and signed. "It feels good to sit down." Tom entered the names of the people seated at their table on a small screen built into the tabletop. The Doctor observed, "This performance was excellent, don't you think?" Tom nodded, "It was really well done. Did you enjoy it Seven?" Seven appeared to consider her answer, "I found the compositions to be melodically symmetrical." The Doctor muttered, "High praise indeed." B'Elanna observed with a sigh. "I don't think I can dance tonight, I'm just too tired." Tom smiled gently at her, he had not been needed at the helm since they had arrived two weeks ago. He had helped the Captain with some holodeck programs for the Demirotians, but it had been leisurely work compared to the hours she had been putting in supervising all the work in Engineering. "Don't worry about it," he said stroking her thigh under the table. "Save your strength for the Regent's Farewell Ball tomorrow night. Of course, it's a shame I don't get to show you off in that dress." B'Elanna smiled at him, she had simply recycled her one 'little black dress' into evening gown length, but the end result was very striking. "I don't know," she said suggestively. "Next to the Demirotian women's clothes, our black and brown gowns seem pretty dull." The Doctor observed, "I offered to design an evening gown for Seven but she decided that a new gown would be unnecessary. I'm just thankful she let me make a few changes to her usual ensemble. Seven looked down at her attire, she felt she had been generous in allowing the Doctor to alter a completely efficient jumpsuit into an evening gown that restricted freedom of movement. Brown slingback pumps replaced her usual boots, "I also allowed you to replicate a change of footwear," she reminded him. "Oh happy day," the Doctor sniffed. They people watched for a few minutes. Dull was not a word that could be used to describe the Demiroti. Humanoid in appearance, their complexions varied, to use the Captain's delighted observation 'from Café au lait to espresso', long hair was the rule with both males and females. The only difference being that while the women favored elaborate braided styles, the men were content with either a plaited queue down the back, or a single tight topknot. Their eyes were their most striking feature, brown eyes were unknown on the planet, instead they were all vibrant shades or mixtures of blue, green, gold and purple. Their eye color was reflected in their dress. Jewel tones were preferred, pastels were almost unknown. A small beeping sound told them that their food was approaching. Like an elevator, the floral centerpiece began to rise, underneath were four plates of appetizers and beverages with name cards. The vast kitchens were built underneath the banquet hall, each table connected to the system, allowing their food to be brought to the table with a minimum of exertion. The Demirotians had even arranged to have a holographic meal presented to the Doctor, so that he would not feel out of place while the rest were eating. After they removed their plates, the tabletop returned to the original position. "I just love that, I've seen it happen lots of times, but I just love it," Tom said grinning. He was tempted to ask the Doctor how the holographic food tasted, but wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer. "It is an efficient way to dispense large amounts of food, " Seven agreed. Cocking her head she observed, "I still find it curious that the Demirotians hold such a regard for culture. From my observations, their technological advances are of greater importance but they attach no significance to them." "I'm sure that their technological advances are important to them," Tom began, "But remember they've had to rebuild their entire infrastructure, this building is only two years old. When a civilization reaches the point when they have time to appreciate culture, it means that their other needs have been met. You can't take the time to paint a picture if you have to completely rebuild your water system." "I have to agree with Seven on this one," B'Elanna said. Three sets of eyes turned towards her in astonishment. "Really?" Tom said. "What?" she said defensively. "The engineers and staff that were sent to us, are some of the best I've ever seen. But they seem to be embarrassed by what they do. It's like they think that unless you do something artistic for a living your nothing. The Master Engineer came to me this afternoon to ask me to thank the Captain for requesting that he and his staff be allowed to go to the ball tomorrow, he seemed to feel that they didn't deserve to attend. It's like they're second class citizens or something." Tom grinned, "Sounds like they need to stage a good old fashioned labor strike. To make the good citizens realize how important what they do is." They noticed that people at the other tables were standing, and they heard smatterings of applause nearby. "Something tells me that Ensign Kim is in the vicinity," the Doctor observed. The crowd parted and Harry appeared with the Regent's daughter draped over his arm. "Hi guys," Harry said. "You all know Nissia don't you?" She nodded at them all graciously, "Hello, I am pleased you were able to attend the performance this evening." Her rich golden eyes turned to Harry, "This was the best one yet, I can't believe tomorrow's will be your last." Harry smiled at her. "I told you, I'd leave you copies of all the recordings we've made." She pouted prettily at him, "It won't be the same as seeing you in person." B'Elanna rolled her eyes at Tom. Grinning he said, "Boy, Harry, I didn't realize how lucky we were to be able to see you everyday. And I'm sure that Baytart next door to you, counts his lucky stars every time you practice." "Ensign Kim," Seven said, "we need to finish conforming the data from Astrometrics for the Demirotians before we depart in the morning." Nissia protested, "You can't, your scheduled to give a music lesson to the young musicians at our Houses of Higher Learning." Harry looked at Seven, "I guess the Captain didn't get a chance to tell you yet. Megan Delaney is going to help you. I just found out about the class this afternoon. I'm sorry." Nodding happily, Nissia said, "All the students are looking forward to it. I just wish I could be there, but I have to present my paintings to the High Council." "How did you like the performance Seven?" Harry asked cautiously. She studied him for a moment before answering, "It was acceptable." "Acceptable!" Nissia yelped, "It was a masterpiece. The music he has provided us with is going to change the way our classes in musical theory are taught forever." Attempting to placate her, Harry said, "You don't know Seven, coming from her, acceptable 'is' a compliment. "Really?" she said suspiciously, looking from Harry to Seven and back again. Accepting Harry's eager nod, she turned towards the Doctor. "I enjoyed your operatic presentation this afternoon." The Doctor brightened, "Thank you, I will be giving another recital at a luncheon tomorrow afternoon for city officials." Smiling at Tom she said. "Thank you so much for the holoprogram. I've only managed to tour the galleries on your Earth so far, but I am looking forward to immersing myself in the other planets' galleries as soon as I can. Harry tells me that you are also a great lover of music, do you play an instrument also?" Looking seriously at her Tom replied, "I do play a pretty mean air guitar." "Have you given a concert here? I must have missed it." "Unfortunately, I am only able to play the air guitar in my underwear. This limits the places I can perform. Hey," he said, in response to a hard pinch B'Elanna had given him under the table. "I see," she said, but obviously didn't. Her eyes wandered around the room for a moment. "Oh look, over there, the Music Master from the House of Higher Learning." Griping Harry's arm she said, "You must meet him." "I'll talk to you guys later," he said, before disappearing into the crowd. "What a gracious and pleasant young women," the Doctor observed. "Did you notice that she barely acknowledged Seven and I?" B'Elanna demanded. "Some women don't like other women," Tom said. "They see them as competition or something." "That's not why she didn't acknowledge us," B'Elanna insisted. "It's because to her we don't 'do' anything! I mean, I'm the Chief Engineer of Voyager, I'm proud of that. And Seven runs Astrometrics and knows, well, everything." "Thank you Lieutenant," Seven said gravely. "Your welcome." Turning back to Tom she said, "do you see what I'm saying? To that overdressed little 'art lover' we're no better than hired help." The Doctor observed, "I wonder what it will be like for Ensign Kim to return to being one of the crew?" "Explain," Seven said. "Certainly, for the last two weeks Ensign Kim has been lionized wherever he goes. The populace pours out to see him anywhere he appears. It would seem to be a hard thing to just give up." Her eyes widened as she asked, "You believe Ensign Kim will choose to stay on this planet?" "I didn't say that Seven, don't put words in my mouth. Its just obvious that many people, the Regent's daughter included would be delighted to have him stay." Standing up, she addressed them, "I have had enough frivolity today. I will return to Voyager." "Don't worry Seven, Harry's not going anywhere," Tom said reassuringly. "I do not worry," she said coldly, turning she strode out of the hall. "You could have fooled me," B'Elanna observed. Shaking his head the Doctor said, "I had hoped she would stay and mingle. This would have been a perfect place to practice her interpersonal skills. Two female crewmembers were already in Sickbay when Harry arrived the following afternoon. The lush Demiroti vegetation meant that any crew members going to the planet had to receive daily allergen boosters as protection against the alien pollens. It was a shame, he reflected that Tom still wasn't comfortable with the idea of being a backup for the Doctor, because the truth of the matter was that he was a good caregiver. The crew were at ease with him, sometimes more so than with the EMH. His self deprecating apologies to whoever he happened to be treating created the effect of his patients wanting to console him, thereby putting them in charge. As the two crewmembers rose to leave, Tom called out to them a teasing warning about the attentive Demiroti men. "Remember, those men don't want you for your bodies, they only want you for your talent." They exited Sickbay giggling. Tom turned to his friend. "Hey Buddy, is it booster time?" He made some adjustments to the instrument in his hand then pressed it to Harry's neck. "Thanks, I also have a headache, I didn't get much sleep last night," Harry said tiredly, resting his elbows on a biobed. "Did the Regent's daughter keep you up past your bedtime?" he said with a wicked grin. "Not in the way you think," Harry answered. "Want to tell the acting doctor, about it?" Tom asked. Harry sighed before answering, "I just feel really disgusted with myself right now, you wouldn't understand." Tom tried not to smile, "Hey, I resemble that remark. I'm the king of feeling disgusted with myself. Why would you feel like that now? Your the Golden Boy, the music master. The Demirotians are this close to deifying you. You should be feeling really good." Smiling slightly, Harry answered, "Don't get me wrong, that part's great, it's nice to immerse myself in music again, and have people show their appreciation." "So what's bothering you." Harry looked Tom in the eye, "There's something wrong with me." Tom scanned his friend with a tricorder, "All your levels are right, you look like you could use a little sleep. What do you think is wrong?" "Last night, after Nissia and I left your table, we circulated a little and then she invited me outside to see the gardens by moonlight." Suddenly he asked, "Do you think she's attractive?" Smiling, Tom answered, "There was a time in my life when I would have considered her a bit of all right." "She's beautiful." Harry said flatly. "You should have seen her in the gardens, she hung on my every word. There was a look in her eyes." He paused, "She looked at me like I was the most wonderful man she'd ever met. Do you know how long it's been since someone thought I was wonderful?" Tom studied his friend, "Go on." "We had stopped to admire the Night Blooming Cairns, the setting was perfect. She looked at me and I knew she wanted me to kiss her. So I did." From the sound of his friends voice, Tom wasn't sure if he should congratulate him or console him. "And then what?" "And then nothing," Harry spat out. "I didn't feel anything. There I was holding a beautiful woman in my arms…," His voice trailing off. "So what did you do?" Harry smiled, "I gave myself a mental slap on the head and tried to kiss her again. I mean I had paradise in front of me, right? But it didn't work." Looking shrewdly at him, Tom asked, "Are you sure you didn't feel anything?" Harry looked away, then said softly. "No, I mean my body responded, its been a while since I've been that close to a woman, but I felt like I was doing something wrong. I felt like I was…" "Hurting Seven?" Tom said. "Yes! What kind of pathetic idiot does that make me?" Harry said slamming his hand down on the biobed. "Nissia thinks I'm wonderful. So why am I worried about hurting a women who most of the time seems to think I'm the biggest idinoddver created?" "So why are you?" Tom said softly. "I don't know… Maybe because every so often I think we've made a connection," he answered, a quaver in his voice. "Sometimes, when I can make her smile, or make her feel more comfortable, I think that she actually feels something for me. Sometimes she touches when there is no reason, and I think that maybe she enjoyed it. But what if I'm just projecting my feelings on to her?" "B'Elanna pushed me away for a long time before she let us start a relationship," Tom offered. "Yes, but at least you knew that she cared about you, she was just afraid of her feelings, I don't know if Seven feels anything for me at all. What if I'm just wasting my time, maybe she just considers me one of the crew? A sometimes annoying member of the crew that continues to waste her time by trying to engage her in irrelevant conversation while trying to work." Rubbing his temples he added, "I guess I'm just tired of banging my head against the wall, and this thing with Nissia made me realize how much time I've wasted." "Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?" Tom asked. "I don't know," he said shaking his head. "All I know is that last night I could have had anything I wanted and I turned it down. Do you think that any of the guys we know would have turned her down?" Tom studied his friend. "Don't worry about what other guys would do, they're not you." Taking a deep breath he said, "The thing of it is Harry, your a nice guy." "Stop," Harry said coldly. "I know how this ends, 'and nice guys finish last'." Tom held up his hand to reassure him, "Not necessarily, but nice guys do seem to take more cold showers than guys that aren't so nice. So what did you do last night? You didn't embarrass yourself by backing into a bush, or tripping over a bench did you?" A genuine grin crossed Harry's face. "No, but thanks for your faith in me. I apologized and told her I had no right to take liberties with the Regent's daughter. Then I took her back to the party, and stayed with as large a group of people as I could." "Very well executed withdrawal," Tom said, nodding approvingly. He touched a hypospray to Harry's neck and patted his arm. "There that should take care of your headache and relax you a little bit. Go get a couple hours sleep and you'll feel much better." "Is that your professional opinion?" Harry said, moving towards the door. "Yes it is," Tom said nodding sagely. "And Harry, just so you know, B'Elanna and I, along with most of the people on this ship think your pretty wonderful, we just don't make goo-goo eyes at you about it." Harry left sickbay smiling. Seven of Nine entered Sickbay, several hours later. Lieutenant Paris was alone, sitting at a computer console. He looked up and smiled at her entrance. "Hi Seven, are you here for your booster?" He walked towards her picking up a hypospray from the desk. "I am not. I do not plan to attend the event this evening. I am ill, and require treatment." "Really?" Tom said, scanning her. "I'm not finding anything wrong. I'll just give you your hypo, you might change your mind." "I will not change my mind!" she said harshly. "Hey, 'it's a women's prerogative to change her mind'." Tom said smiling. "What does that mean?" she coldly asked. "I don't know, it's an old saying my grandmother used to use." She studied him, then said, "After our encounter with the Hirogen, I took it upon myself to study the history of earth. There was a time that men considered women to be the weaker of the species. That 'saying' could mean that you consider me incapable of making my own decisions, that I am uncertain of my actions and require justification for my inconsistency." "Whoa Nellie," Tom said. "Couldn't it mean also, that women have more strength of character than men, and understand that changing your mind about something does not make you weak?" "It could," she admitted. Looking suspiciously at him, she added, "however I do not think that you meant it that way." Tom grinned at her, "Why don't you hop up on the biobed and tell me about your symptoms." "I prefer to stand," she said. Holding his hands up in surrender, Tom said, "Hey, that's fine, whatever floats your boat." Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "Is that another 'saying'?" Tom grinned, "Yeah, so tell old Doc Paris what's wrong," he leaned back against a biobed and listened as Seven grudgingly began to explain her illness. Harry moved about his quarters, collecting the items he would need for the evenings entertainment. The crew members performing tonight were leaving early to check the final arrangements. He wore everything from his dress uniform except the dress jacket, which was spread ceremoniously across his bed. Even though he was a little chilly in his undershirt he was not about to put on the jacket until the last minute. It had been very gracious of the Captain to allow all the male members of the crew to replicate full dress uniforms, to compensate for the evening gowns that the Demiroti had offered to the female crew members. Harry hadn't worn a full dress uniform since the Cadet's Ball just before he left Earth for Deep Space Nine to join Voyager. What was it about Starfleet designers? He wondered, why was it that no matter how you programmed the replicators the neck fastenings were always just a little too tight? He had never liked the dress uniforms anyway, the jacket flapping around his legs gave him the uncomfortable feeling of wearing a dress. Not, he assured himself that there was anything wrong with wearing a dress, the clothing the Demirotian males wore, calf-length flared jackets with banded leggings, resembled dresses. It was just something that he wasn't comfortable with. Surveying the growing pile of things to take down to the planet, he wondered if he had forgotten anything. He retrieved the sheet music that he was going to use that evening. It has been his idea, that the Captain had fully endorsed, to it real sheet music and a music stand for the performance, normally he would have just used the standard oversize padds which had the added bonus of adjusting themselves to the individual musician's speed. He had replicated the full score of the performance on parchment paper, of an antique ivory hue. He intended to present it to the Regent afterwards as a gift, which knowing the Regent's passion for music would be well received. The door chime interrupted him. "Enter," he called out. Seven walked in, wearing her everyday brown outfit, seemingly unsure of her presence in his quarters. Harry looked at her in astonishment, she had never visited his quarters before. "Seven what are you doing here? Didn't you get your evening gown yet? Why aren't you ready?" He realized he was rambling and stopped to compose himself. She regarded him stoically, and answered him, "I need to speak with you. Yes, I did. I have decided not to go." Harry sorted out the answers, then started again. "Why aren't you going to the Ball?" She spoke succinctly, "I am ill." Harry rushed towards her. "You're sick?" He pressed the back of his hand against her forehead, then to her cheeks, she didn't move, but watched his hand movements curiously. "You seem a little warm, but…?" He realized that he had never touched her face before and had no idea what was normal for her. Not wanting to end contact he moved his hand to her shoulder. Seven looked into his eyes, for a moment time stood still, she swallowed, then looked away. "Maybe I should take you to Sick Bay to see Tom?" "I am already been to see Lieutenant Paris, that is why I am here." Harry pressed the back of his hand to his own forehead and cheeks, maybe he was getting sick, because Seven was making absolutely no sense. "I must be missing something here, your feeling sick, and Tom told you to come see me?" She nodded, "That is correct. Lieutenant Paris believes that my symptoms will be alleviated if I relate them to you. He believes that your symptoms will also be lessened in the process. I questioned his diagnosis, but he then informed me that 'doctoring isn't always about giving people medicine'. Does that statement make any sense to you?" "Not in the least," he said shaking his head. "Maybe you should tell me what's wrong?" Trying to think like a doctor, he asked, "When did the symptoms first occur?" Seven looking evenly into this eyes she began, "I departed early from the party last night, shortly after you and the Regent's daughter visited our table. Feeling unsettled, I stopped on my way to the transport site to collect my thoughts. After observing you and Nissia engaged in a courtship ritual, I proceeded to the transport site and beamed back to the ship. Upon my arrival I went to Astrometrics to review some of the data that we will be giving the Demirotians, my condition worsened upon entering Astrometrics." "Wait a minute," Harry said in astonishment. "What did you say?" She repeated, "My condition worsened upon entering Astrometrics." "No!" He said impatiently, "What did you see Nissia and I doing?" "You were engaged in a courtship ritual. I have observed Lieutenants Paris and Torres at this activity several times, you were kissing each other." Harry felt his face flame, "You saw us?" She nodded, and set her jaw tightly. "I did." Slowly he said, "Seven, what kind of symptoms did you experience?" She seemed unwilling to meet his eyes, but replied, "Immediately after my observation my throat constricted, I found it difficult to swallow. I noted a rise in my blood pressure and my stomach felt unsettled. When I arrived in Astrometrics I felt a general weakness in my extremities. I began some of the deep breathing, relaxation techniques Commander Tuvok has been instructing me in, that helped somewhat and I was able to begin my work. I found myself unable to concentrate for any period of time, and decided to return to Cargo Bay 2 to start a regeneration cycle." Harry was finding it difficult to breathe, but asked, "Seven, why didn't you go to Sickbay last night?" "Ensign Wildman was on duty. I did not feel she knew enough about my physiology to attempt a course of treatment. I knew that she would contact the Doctor or Lieutenant Paris to return from the planet, I did not wish to disturb them. I also felt that I should be able to overcome the symptoms by focusing on my work." "Apparently you weren't able to overcome the feelings, I mean symptoms." "That is correct, I have not been behaving in an efficient manner today, I neglected my duties and asked Ensign Delaney to download the Astrometrics information for the Demirotians." Suddenly she pushed his hand off her shoulder and stood back. Then she said angrily, "Lieutenant Paris was wrong! That did not alleviate the symptoms," raising her hands to her face, she said with a hint of desperation in her voice, "I do not want these feelings. If this is what it means to be human, I want no part of it." Harry reached out for her, resting a hand on each of her shoulders. She could have pushed him away again he knew, but she didn't. "Seven look at me," he said softly. She raised her eyes, and he saw that they were moist. "What you saw last night wasn't what you think." "I assure you that even in the dim light my visual acuity is perfect." Harry said, "I know your vision is perfect, more than perfect actually. What I'm trying to say is that we did kiss, but that's all the happened." "My observations of Nissia's reaction to your presence confirmed to me that she wished to copulate with you. I have also extrapolated from existing data that you have not engaged in a physical relationship with a member of the crew or any other species since your arrival on Voyager. A man of your age, and physical condition would seem to be eager to participate in that activity by this point." Harry was speechless for a moment, finally he said, "Seven, I am not going to explain my sex life or lack of it to you of all people. Suffice it to say, that yes, Nissia did express an interest in copulating with me, but I did not wish to pursue that kind of relationship." "Why did you not wish to copulate with her?" The utter inanity of the conversation hit him, shaking his head he answered, "I guess you could say, my heart wasn't in it." Seven observed coldly, "The heart is a muscle that pumps blood. Despite what so many humans seem to believe, it does not dictate emotion. Your heart would have been only engaged in pumping blood to your body, and also to enable you to achieve an…" "Stop right there," he spat out. "I know what and where my heart pumps blood to, thank you very much." Gripping her shoulders tighter, he said, "Listen to me, some people can copulate with anyone, without any emotional involvement. I am not one of those people. I need to feel affection for the woman I'm intimate with. A feeling that I do not have for Nissia." "How do you know that you do not have feelings of affection for her, if you do not copulate with her?" In exasperation Harry said, " What do I have to do, spell it out for you?" "Yes." Of course! All this time he had been waiting and hoping for her to understand how he felt, Harry realized that for better or worse it was time to make a stand. "I don't need to copulate to feel affection for someone, I feel affection for you and we have never copulated. When you have strong feelings for someone, you don't want to be with another person. Do you understand?" Visibly moved by his words she nodded her head. Her lips parted, but she seemed unable to speak. Studying his face intently she finally said softly, "Yes." Hope flashed on his face and he smiled. She smiled softly at him, "Your symptoms have lessened, you 'feel' better?" Harry nodded at her, his smile growing. "I feel much better, and I think you feel better also." Seven seemed to consider his words, a childlike look of surprise on her face, "Yes, I feel much better. Lieutenant Paris 'was' right." :::Nicoletti to Kim::: His commbadge chirped from the coffee table, startling them both. He walked towards the table. "Kim here" :::Harry, we're all in the transporter room ready to go to the Performance Hall::: "I'm on my way, Kim out" He looked apologetically at Seven, "I have to go, I'm sorry." He quickly retrieved his dress jacket and began to put it on. "Why are you sorry? You enjoy performing, and the Demirotians hold you in very high esteem." "I'd rather stay here with you," he said truthfully, he wanted to hold her, and sit and talk with her. He was afraid that if he left she would start to question her feelings, and possibly dismiss them as irrelevant. Looking down he began to fasten the closings, the covering placket seemed to entangle his trembling fingers, Damn Starfleet designers. Suddenly he saw two fair hands, one Borg enhanced, reach down and push his out of the way. Seven quickly and efficiently closed each fastener, working her way up to his neck, her fingers lingering there. She raised her eyes to his, "The Regent's daughter holds you in very high esteem also." He couldn't contain himself, he was so happy he thought he'd burst. "Seven, could you possibly be experiencing feelings of jealousy?" She cocked her head, a small smile on her lips., "I am not familiar enough with this sensation to answer. Suffice it to say that if you were to engage her again in a courtship ritual, I believe my heart would hurt." Covering her hands with his, he said, "Seven I promise I'll never to anything to hurt your heart." He raised her hands and pressed a soft kiss into each palm. "Why don't you join me later at the ball?" She drew her hands back, gazing at her hands in wonder, "No, I need to review the Astrometrics data Ensign Delaney compiled. You should go now." Tom sat the Sickbay computer console, putting the finished touches on the daily report. He felt he had handled things quite well that day and idly wondered if his 'prescription' for Harry and Seven had produced the desired effect. He felt that his 'diagnosis' was correct, besides her fit of pique last evening, he had noted that Seven searched Harry out whenever she entered a room, seeming to be comforted by his presence. Also, how she carried her lack of knowledge about 'personal space' to an extreme when he was close by. He sincerely hoped it worked out for his friend, after losing so much he deserved some happiness. He cursed himself for stealing a look at the chronometer, another hour before the Doctor came back to relieve him. The Doctor had left his day's itinerary for him, in excruciating detail. Besides the opera recital that afternoon, he was assisting Ensign Kyoto in a Japanese tea ceremony, and the Ensigns Delaney with a Country and Western Dance performance, as well as joining some of the other crew for a holographic tour of the original Capitol City that had been destroyed years earlier. The Sickbay doors swished open, he greeted the newcomer with a wolf whistle. B'Elanna grinned back at him. Laying down the garment bag she was carrying, she gracefully twirled to allow him to appreciate the evening gown she was wearing. "Isn't it beautiful?" she said. Tom looked into her eyes, "Not as beautiful as the women wearing it," he said as he moved towards her. Still not comfortable with compliments B'Elanna changed the subject, "The upgrades were finished a couple of hours ago and I didn't feel like waiting in my quarters, I'm so happy I feel like I could just float down to the Ball." Tom was delighted to see her so carefree, it wasn't often that she could enjoy a respite from worrying about Voyager's beleaguered engines. "I'm happy to hear it, I hope you don't mind if I follow you down via the transporter. Computer," he called out. "Access Tom Paris music files, 'slow dance'." Taking her hand, he was pleased to see that she was relaxed enough to let him move her through an impromptu dance. "We shouldn't be doing this," B'Elanna said grinning mischievously. For a few moments they moved slowly to the music. "Hey, there's no better way to show off a gorgeous dress, or woman than by dancing. Besides you might be a little rusty, and I want you in top form tonight." He examined her costume more closely, "How many parts to that getup are there? I'm asking for future reference, so I know how to take it off you later." "It's always good to be prepared," she said wickedly. "Starting underneath, there is this long sleeved slip thing. All you can see of it is this little bit of here." She patted the soft drape on her bust, that showed just a hint of cleavage, it goes all the way to my ankles. You should feel this fabric," she said. "Glad to," Tom said. Caressing the fabric and the cleavage softly. "Isn't it the softest, silkiest thing you've ever felt?" "It sure is," he agreed. "I'm talking about the fabric." "Whatever." "Okay next is the 'over jacket' it's like the halves of two jackets laced together," she said, smoothing the fabric that clung closely to her hips. "It's in two parts because of some legend about twin gods saving a city. The last part is the sash," she said holding up a silken length of fabric, woven with all the colors of the other garments and embellished with a jeweled clasp. "Now let me see, if I got this right. It ties over the top of the hip. But how you tie it is important. If you fasten the clasp at the back, it means you have not entered society yet. If you fasten it in the front, it means that you are looking for a mate." She looked suggestively at him, "The next part is very important, when you have chosen your 'intended,' you have him fasten the clasp on your left hip. Of course if your married your husband fastens it on the right for you." Tom gently pulled the sash through her fingers. He pressed himself against her and kissed her ardently. B'Elanna reached up and gripped the back of his neck, pressing him closer to her. As they kissed Tom wrapped the sash around her waist, moving it into position and fastening the clasp on the left. His hands moved slowly over her hips, savoring the feel of the luxurious fabric and the heat of her body rising through it. He broke from her lips moving to press kisses against her temples. B'Elanna murmured, "You should see the lingerie they sent." "I'd love to," he whispered huskily into her ear. "Ah hem." They turned to find the Doctor, observing them, he was in dress uniform, his eyebrows raised in disdain. "Doc," Tom said, recovering himself, "your back early." "Apparently, not early enough." B'Elanna and Tom exchanged a sheepish look, before Tom said, "So, what brings you back?" "I had intended to allow you an early start on the evening's festivities, but it would seem that they have already begun." "I brought Tom's clothes with me, and was just going to wait with him until you got back," B'Elanna began. "Mr. Paris, you may take your clothes into the isolation room and change," the Doctor said. "I stayed for the musical presentation, but if you hurry, you and Lieutenant Torres should be able to enjoy the rest of the festivities." The Doctor removed his holoemitter, pressed a few buttons, and was suddenly changed into his standard Starfleet uniform. Snatching up his clothes, Tom raced to change, "Thanks Doc, I owe you." "Yes you do," he said, turning to B'Elanna he said, "Lieutenant, apparently you weren't the only member of the crew to notice the lack of respect given to the non-artisans on the planet. Ensign Kim and his quartet dedicated the final performance to them. He called them mechanical virtuosos. A very nice sentiment don't you think?" "I bet all the arty types there just loved that," B'Elanna sniffed. "I believe the expression, 'you could have heard a pin drop' would be applicable. However, after witnessing the exuberant applause from our crew, the Demirotians did join in with gusto." "Thanks for telling me Doctor, maybe things will be a little better for them." Tom joined them in a few minutes, holding his hands up he announced, "I'm ready, let the fun begin." The Doctor had been right, they had missed none of the other revelry. They arrived in time to join the Captain the other Senior Staff on the dais with the Regent and the other members of the Demiroti Governing Board. They enjoyed a delightful meal, while sitting through a parade of speeches from the various Regents thanking the crew of Voyager for their valuable contributions they had made since their arrival. The crew who for so long had been treated as virtual pariahs in their travels drank up the words like the finest wine. Tom hadn't had a chance to talk to Harry since they had arrived, where he had been seated at a separate table between the Regent and Nissia. It was obvious however, that he was happy, elated was more like it. Nissia seemed to make it a point to speak to the older gentleman on her right then Harry, to which he was totally oblivious. Tom had managed to catch his eye earlier, Harry had given him a broad grin, and nodded to his friend enthusiastically. Tom then held up his hands, and looked quickly around. Harry's smile had dimmed, and he shook his head. The evening was drawing to a close, Harry was standing with the other Senior staff, exchanging parting words of farewell with the Demiroti elite. He looked up in time to see the crowd part in from of him. Seven of Nine stood silently, her clear blue eyes focused on him, a small smile playing about her lips. She appeared to be wearing only the long sleeved chemise of the Demiroti dress. It was soft white with a pearlescent sheen. The ceremonial sash was centered around her hips, it was woven with all the colors of true mother of pearl. She took Harry's breath away, she had always been beautiful, but tonight she was radiant. Noticing his friends frozen posture, Tom turned and smiled nudging B'Elanna to get her attention. Catching his breath Harry moved forward. "Seven, you said you weren't going to come." She nodded slightly, "I changed my mind. It is my prerogative." She glanced up at Tom, who smiled and nodded at her, then looked back to Harry. "You are pleased?" "Pleased?" Harry said, "I'm ecstatic." Captain Janeway moved closer to Seven, "You must not have received all the parts of the dress, and the instructions." She tried to sound severe, but the joy on Harry's face was so palpable that she had to smile. Tom whispered to B'Elanna, "If I understand the instructions from your dress right, Seven is standing there in her slip, looking for love." B'Elanna reached back and patted his cheek, nodding, staring at the tableau in front of her. Seven turned her eyes to the Captain, "I received the complete ensemble. I found the outer garments to be superfluous, I close to wear the sash, also." Reaching down, she loosened the clasp, allowing the luxurious material to run through her fingers. "I found it appealing." "Captain," Harry said, even though he only had eyes for the white gowned woman before him. "Maybe before we cause an intergalactic incident, I should take her back to the ship." Before the Captain could reply, he was at Seven's side. "That would be acceptable," she said, handing the sash to Harry. "Ensign Kim, I also require your assistance, please fasten the clasp here," pointing to her left hip, she looked evenly into his eyes. Understanding the full implications of Seven's words, Harry beamed. He gently positioned the sash around her hips, savoring the feel of his arms around her for the first time, then fastened the clasp. Taking her hand, he began to move through the crowd. Before they were lost, the Senior staff heard Seven say, "Perhaps we can stop in the garden, I wish to engage you in a courtship ritual." The End