This story started out really as an idea that sounded funny to me and a friend one night, I just shifted it into a Voyager setup. I only have one thing to ask, READ THE WHOLE THING! before you come after me with knives and pickaxes. Al Disclaimer: It's all Paramount, except the idea. Rating: G "Wedding Day" By. Al Petran The wedding announcement had come as a shock to everyone on the ship, including the captain. She had no reason to refuse, but every instinct in her screamed that it was wrong. Something somewhere was wrong. Seven had come a long way with her humanity. In the last four years they'd stopped looking at her as Borg, she was now more human than most of the people on the ship. She did, however, still maintain her efficiency and thesaurus-like vocabulary. But aside from that, she partied with the women on girls' night out. She went with huge groups down to Sandrine's, played pool and drank as much as the rest of them. Her liquor intolerance seemed to have disappeared. Kathryn had never been more proud of a member of her crew. In Janeway's book, this was probably her greatest accomplishment. But now Seven wanted to get married. Janeway couldn't say that Seven wasn't ready. But it was the most incredibly wrong pairing Janeway knew of. Tom Paris? How had that happened? What insidious chemical had been turned loose on their ship to make those two pair up? And where were Be'lanna and Harry? What happened to them? Kathryn wouldn't admit it, but she'd so had her heart set on seeing Seven with Harry, they were the perfect match, the youngest and most innocent of her 'children.' But somewhere along the way, Seven and Tom had apparently decided to start something. The problem was Janeway couldn't remember a single mention of Tom and Be'lanna breaking up. And she'd never heard a peep about Tom and Seven spending an unusual amount of time togethor. The ship's grape vine was very efficient. The minute there was the scent of a budding romance Kathryn would have heard about it. Or at least Chakotay. But no. This came on them out of the blue. The last juicy gossip about Seven had been the time she was spending with Harry. Yet another suspicious piece of the puzzle. Katrhyn sighed and looked up at the still rather expectant Seven and Tom. They'd stood there patiently waiting through her whole mental debate, and now they wanted an answer. "You have the captain's approval. When would you like the ceremony?" Janeway finally nodded, mustering what enthusiasm she could. If it would make them happy, then it was enough for her. "Thank you, Captain. Tomorrow afternoon will be sufficient." Seven nodded gratefully. Kathryn knew she was imagining it, but Seven didn't sound that grateful. "Harry managed to announce the whole thing to the crew so we don't have to worry about telling them ourselves." Tom smiled. "That was rather courteous of Harry, wasn't it? If that's all then you're dismissed. Wait, Seven. I want a word." Janeway stood and caught the younger woman before she turned to leave. Tom and Seven exchanged concerned glances, but Tom walked out and Seven turned to Kathryn. "Captain?" "How'd this happen, Seven? When did it become Tom you wanted to settle down with?" Kathryn tried to keep from sounding too worried or confused, but she couldn't deny that she was both. "Is he not an appropriate choice? A decent officer, a fine man, a good friend." "That's just the thing. We all thought you were just friends. I always thought you were interested in Harry!" "Would you rather I were marrying Ensign Kim?" Seven seemed genuinely curious on this point. And Janeway was trapped. Give a supportive answer, or an honest one? To tell her the truth, or to not confuse her with an outside opinion? "Yes. I'd always thought you'd make a good match, and you spent a great deal of time together." Kathryn finally admitted, watching for the reaction. "Ensign Kim is also a fine choice. I beleive I might have considered him as an option at one point. But Tom is my choice, Captain." "Whatever makes you happy, Seven." Kathryn forced her fake smile, her heart completely shattered on behalf of Harry. "You better get to work. A wedding is difficult to plan." "I will have assistance, but you're right, I must be going. Thank you, Captain." Seven smiled one of her dazzling smiles and left. Kathryn plopped down in her chair, too dazed to stand. The entire world had just spun around on her, and she had the sick feeling it was taking a wrong turn. Despite the entire crew's not wanting the day to come, tomorrow had arrived quickly. The late afternoon found the senior staff and a good portion of the crew in the messhall. Those that weren't present were tied in by viewers. Tom and his best man, Harry, stood (in formal dress uniform) before the podium where Janeway was praying a miracle would happen, like a sudden Borg attack. Tom had insisted on a traditional wedding, including the bridal procession and the exchange of vows. The music started and Naomi Wildman marched proudly down the aisle, clutching her bouquet and a huge smile on her face. Next was Be'lanna, who - much to the mystery of the crew - had become the maid of honor! And she was smiling too, not a touch of disturbance on her features. Finally came Seven, her hair down, dressed in grey pants and a fancy white shirt. It was longsleeved and off shoulder with a plunging V neck. The material wasn't as skin tight as her normal clothing, but it was very flattering. Janeway noted with surprise that Be'lanna and Naomi were both wearing the same thing as Seven. An odd occurence. The two finally stood before Janeway and she knew no miracle was coming. She went through the usual speech on the honors of performing a wedding ceremony and the virtues of love. Then came the exchanging of vows. Again, at request, they started with Seven. "Do you, Seven of Nine, take Tom Paris; to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" Janeway asked. There was only a heartbeat of silence before she answered. "No." that was definitely the wrong answer to hear at a wedding. A sudden intake of air echoed Janeway's own gasp for breath. She was sure everyone in the room would hyperventilate before they got a reason. "I want to marry him." Seven was smiling, almost on the verge of giggling as she pointed to Harry next to Tom. Both men grinned and actually started laughing along with Be'lanna by Seven. Harry switched places with Tom and kissed Seven lightly on the cheek, signifying that he was indeed the one she was marrying. Tom stepped over next to Be'lanna and kissed her as well. "With your permission, Captain, we'd like it to be a double wedding." Tom announced. The crew finally broke into laughter, completely thrown into hysterics by the amazing switch up that had fooled them all. Janeway was too stunned to speak for a moment. Then looking at the four smiling faces before her, she knew the miracle had happened. She completed the ceremony, this time with 'yes' the only answer being provided. The grooms kissed the brides in long embraces, receiving applause. They faced the crew as Mister and Mrs. Paris and Mister and Mrs. Kim. All smiling. The reception was hours long wth the most stunning selection of food ever to be produced by Neelix's kitchen. Tom and Be'lanna partied for a while, cutting their half of the cake with Seven and Harry, then slipping away queitly. Harry and Seven stayed till the end, receiving congratulations and commendations for the most interesting wedding ever attended. When finally the last of the guests vanished, it was just Harry, Seven, Neelix and Janeway, all tired out and happy. Neelix was cleaning up. Harry held Seven on his lap, listening to the final bars of the song playing over the sound system. Janeway walked over to them. "Congratulations, Harry, Seven. I couldn't be more proud." she smiled down at them. "Thank you, Captain. You were the hardest part of all this. Getting you to agree to the 'wedding' was the most difficult task. We were sure you'd find some grounds to refuse." Harry smiled. "Oh believe me, I tried. I just couldn't think of any. I don't think I've ever been so happy to hear a no in my life. I'm not a big fan of practical jokes, particularly at an occasion as serious as a wedding. But under the circumstances, I'm happy over the whole thing. Just don't do it again." "I promise I won't pull any tricks at my next wedding." Seven smiled a mysterious smile and then laughed as Harry tickled her in response to the jibe. "Neelix and I'll take care of the mess. You two get out of here." "Thanks, Captain." Harry got Seven to her feet, then stood. He yawned and stretched then turned to Seven. "Thank you, Captain." Seven smiled, then to the Captain's shock, gave her a hug. Janeway returned the hug, unable to beleive it was happening. Harry grinned broadly at Seven, then extended his elbow and the perfect couple exited arm in arm. The End.