Promises, Promises

by
Darrel W. Beach
Mar. 1999

Chapter 3

	Tom left the holodeck just slightly less relaxed than when he had
entered.  Sailing the Caribbean waters with B'Elanna at his side helped put
that harrowing encounter with Seven out of his mind, at least for a little
while.  The tension returned, however, when Torres was called away to deal
with a problem in the engine room.  He knew Seven would be waiting for him
somewhere, and he would have preferred having a security blanket with him. 
Seven had a single-minded determination, yet another characteristic trait
of the Borg.  Tom knew she wouldn't let this matter drop for a second.
Seven would continue to confront him with her request until he relented.
	He didn't particularly relish the idea of schooling Seven in the
romantic arts.  For one thing, his best friend wanted to date the very
attractive and equally intelligent ex-Borg.  For another thing, he was
dating a woman notorious for her short fuse and superior strength.  
	Tom encountered Seven standing outside the entrance to his
quarters.  "Lieutenant Paris, may I speak with you?"
	He groaned to himself.  "All right, come on in."  He ushered her
in.
	"Lieutenant, I should thank you for your discretion earlier this
evening, and I apologise for putting you in such an awkward situation.  I
was not fully in control of myself at the time."
	"If I had a slip of latinum for every time a woman lost control of
herself around me, Seven, I'd be a rich man."  The joke, naturally,
received a dead pan expression.  "Ahem, right.  Now, before you say
anything, I know why you're here.  I also know that you won't leave me
alone until I agree to help you."
	"Does that mean you will assist me?"
	Tom paced a little.  Too many things could go wrong.  He turned
back to Seven.  "I don't know.  Maybe.  It depends.  Are you going to ask
me to, uh, you know...."
	"Engage in sexual intercourse?  If it is relevant to my
instruction, I...suppose so," she replied hesitantly, unable to look Tom in
the eyes, her body reacting to her fluctuating hormones again.
	"Wouldn't you rather do this with Harry instead?  I'm sure he'd be
much more willing to do this than I am."
	"I do not think it would be productive to ask him.  I am not
certain he would be receptive to such a proposal again after the last
time."
	That caught Tom's attention.  "Last time?"
	"It occurred a short time after you made your promise to help me,
while we were initially configuring the ship's sensors for the astrometrics
lab.  He attempted to create an environment that contradicted his purpose
for asking my assistance on a work-related task.  I then realised Ensign
Kim harboured emotional feelings toward me, but when I confronted him about
it he denied his motives.  By his agitated state I could tell my assumption
was correct.  Not only did he have feelings for me, he also possessed a
physical attraction, which I then attempted to facilitate."
	"Facilitate, how?"
	"I instructed him to remove his clothes.  He immediately became
defensive."
	Tom tried to keep a sober expression.  He remembered when Harry
first admitted to developing a crush on the former drone, but he never
mentioned anything like this happening.  If he ever worked his way out of
this current mess he's have to have a chat with Harry.  "Yeah, I can see
how that might happen.  People don't normally confront each other about sex
straight out like that."
	"Your social customs are more cumbersome than I first estimated.
It is difficult to understand which behaviours are appropriate at any given
time."
	Tom rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  There was a chance he could help
Seven and have a high probability of keeping his limbs intact.  "You know,
if it's just a matter of learning the right romantic etiquette, I think
there might be a way I can help you do the 'wild thing' with Harry after
all."
	Seven looked at Tom evenly.  "Lieutenant, I find it curious.  I
have noticed that you share Ensign Kim's interest in me, yet you are making
so many attempts to avoid an encounter that would most likely lead to your
sexual gratification.  Your behaviour is most perplexing."
	"Yeah, well, let's just say there are things more important than
having sex with a really beautiful woman.  Friendship and breathing, to
name a couple."  The off-hand remark received a puzzled expression from
Seven, but she declined comment.  "Now, any idea when you want to start the
first lesson?"
	"I would prefer to begin immediately, but I can wait until tomorrow
if you wish to prepare an itinerary."
	"Yeah, that sounds good.  I can reserve a holodeck for private use
for a couple of hours.  Say, 1900 hours?"
	"That is acceptable."
	"Great! It's a date, then."
	Seven left Tom to plan his lesson.  At the turbolift she crossed
paths with Lt. Torres.  B'Elanna hesitated and looked back at her as the
lift doors closed, puzzled to see Seven on this deck at this time of night.
She quickly dismissed it and resumed her course to Tom's quarters.
	Tom tensed up at the sight of her.  She didn't look upset, so
apparently she hadn't seen Seven exit his room, but he couldn't help
feeling nervous.  Her arrival and Seven's departure had practically
coincided.  "B'Elanna?  What brings you here?"  He hoped he didn't sound as
frayed as he felt.
	B'Elanna took the question as an invitation inside.  She closed the
distance between them and snaked her arms around his waist.  "I just came
by to apologise for running out on you earlier.  Foster found some
anomalous power spikes in the EPS taps.  The conventional trouble-shooting
wasn't getting him anywhere, so he thought I should give it a try."
	"Apologise?  Don't be silly, B'Elanna.  You're the 'go-to' gal
around here when it comes to keeping the ship in one piece, especially
lately.  You've had a lot of things to deal with."
	She kissed him affectionately on the cheek.  "Still, I'd like to
make it up to you.  How would you feel about having a quiet dinner together
tomorrow night?"
	Tom's mouth fell open.  Of all the times for her to suggest a night
out.  "Uh, gee, B'Elanna, I'd really love to, but...I already made other
plans."
	"What?  Since when?"  She quirked a smile.  "You wouldn't be seeing
somebody behind my back, would you?"
	"Of course not!" Tom laughed anxiously, trying to think up a
believable excuse.  "I promised Ensign Taylor that I'd give her a few
flying lessons in the holodeck at 1900.  She's been thinking about getting
her third level and wanted me to be her instructor.  You know how it is,
nothing less than the best will do."
	Torres smirked.  "Is that a fact?  Well, I guess I'll have to
settle with having lunch with you instead.  I wouldn't want to deprive
Ensign Taylor of flying with the most egotistical pilot on the ship, now
would I?"
	"You got that right," Tom shot back playfully, relieved that he
hadn't blown his cover.
	"Well, now that we have that settled, I'll turn in for the night.
See you tomorrow."
	He managed to sneak in a quick kiss before she could leave.  "I'll
be holding you to that lunch tomorrow."
	"I wouldn't think of missing it.  And have fun on your 'date',
Tom."
	Tom felt fortunate she had turned her back when he grimaced at her
parting remark.  He sure hoped he wouldn't have much fun with Seven at all.