The BLTS Archive- The Twenty-first Smile
by Riss

---

Thanks to those who encouraged me to write something different and
then proded me to do a sequel.  Especially Monica who has been beta
reading them!

This is the second of three stories I currently have done.  All are
set in the weeks following the Season 4 episode The Raven and assume
that B'Elanna never said those three little words to Tom, and has been
threatening to kill him rather than spending her nights with him.

Disclaimers: Paramount owns Star Trek, Voyager and all the characters
mentioned in this story.  I own the ideas, but not much else.

Feedback warmly welcomed.

---

"Personal Log, Stardate 51243.0  The past few hours have been an
intriguing exercise in social interaction.  Lieutenant Paris, Tom, has
been of great assistance to me in the learning process.  Our
discussions and actions of the this early morning have enhanced my
understanding of relationships.  End Log."

As she tapped the code to begin the regeneration cycle, memories of
the past few days flowed freely through her mind.  A quick shake of
the head to dismiss the irrelevant thoughts, she climbed the steps to
enter the regeneration chamber. She closed her eyes, and the cycle
began.

---

So quiet.  The voices are gone.  It has been six weeks, yet still I
miss their comfort and companionship.  The regeneration cycle used to
be a time to listen to their stories and take comfort in our
conformity.  But now, I only have my own voice to listen to, my own
thoughts to examine.

This change should be meaningless.  I am Borg, and loneliness is
irrelevant, meaningless.  But why is there this sense of something
missing.  The need to be around others, him.

Social interactions are meaningless.  Relationships are illogical
pairings between people.  Pleasure is irrelevant.  But why did I take
pleasure in the sensations Tom brought when he kissed me and engage in
attempts to continue them.  My body took actions to enhance and
prolong the sensations without conscious thought.

What began as an exercise in the practical application of information
from Voyager's database has become something more.  That first night,
I went to the Mess Hall to satisfy the nutritional needs of my body.
I intended only to find sustenance and leave.  Yet, he invited me
over.  Besides the Captain, he has been the only crew member to do
this.  Illogically, I chose to join him, despite the meaningless
conversation I knew would follow.

'Resistance is futile.'  Everyone on this ship runs from those words.
They give me looks of fear and hatred.  Yet, he told me that they
believe the same thing. Resistance to the plans of the Captain for
integration into the crew is a futile gesture.  Voyager assimilates as
well as the Borg.  However, in their assimilation there is
individuality.  Somehow, that thought is comforting.

That first night, I felt a sense of calmness around Tom.  I have not
felt as centered as I did that night since I was taken from the
collective.  After much examination, I believe that I have been afraid
of joining Voyager.  This is quite illogical, but my feelings during
my interaction that night are consistent with the database definition
of those feelings.  His own descriptions of his assimilation into the
Voyager collective, however, caused a dissipation of those feelings.

After that first evening, I also examined the reasons for why I might
have felt comfortable around Tom.  Despite my greater interaction with
the Captain, I still am apprehensive about my meetings with her.  Yet,
after only one night of conversation about Voyager and my questions
about the contemplation of life, he engendered a sense of peace I have
not felt in too long.

Further research of the database yielded the link between intimacy and
the sense of ease around another person which I had experienced.
Intrigued, I initiated further research into the study of the subject.
The vivid descriptions caused a physiological change similar to that
described in the database.  I experienced increased heart rate and
rate of breathing.  My body temperature seemed to rise and I had the
illogical desire to start stroking my skin.

Intrigued by my research, I decided it was logical to continue my
research with a trial study.  Due to the similarity of my feelings
when I interacted with Tom to those described as necessary for
initiating intimate contact, I felt a return visit to the Mess Hall
the following night was in order, especially after following Tom's
recommendation to research the 'gossip billboards.'  It appears that
at the start of the journey, there was much talk of Tom's skills in
various intimate encounters.  It is logical to initiate a study on
intimacy with one who displays considerable skills in the area.

Therefore, shortly after midnight, I entered the Mess Hall.  Again he
invited me to join him, and this time I did not protest in the least.
It seemed the logical course of action for initiation of the study.
As I sat down to join him, he smiled.  This is an action I am not used
to seeing in my presence, except from him.  In my presence, I have now
observed twenty one different smiles from him.  They range from the
fearful smile, number one, I observed the first time I interacted with
him, similar to the expressions I still see from the other crew
members, to the lustful smile, number seventeen, I once observed him
give to Lieutenant Torres immediately after their near death
experience in the space suits. That was immediately accompanied by,
what the database described as a dirty look, thrown in his direction
by the Lieutenant.

However, early this morning he gave me smile number 5, the genuine
smile.  I have only observed it directed towards me on two previous
occasions.  First with his offer of friendship on the Klingon Day of
Honor and again the during previous late night's discussions.  On both
occasions I have observed an elevation in my heartbeat, an illogical
action.  In both the Captain and Lieutenant Torres I have noted
similar reactions when they received a similar smile, which I have
labeled number 18.  This one is slightly smaller and not quite as
inviting.

However, last night I received a new smile which I have labeled as the
twenty first smile.  As he pulled back from our first kiss, he gave me
that smile which engaged the most illogical action within me.  My body
temperature appeared to increase, especially in my pelvic region as he
looked into my eyes with that smile.  The facial expression one is
looking at should be irrelevant, but the evidence points towards what
the database identified as being turned on from that smile.

I did not initiate the study in order to learn all forms of intimacy.
I assumed that it would be proven irrelevant, yet my reaction leads to
another conclusion. As we engaged in the kiss, I saw memories in my
mind.  Vague impression of similar sensations and the need to continue
them within my mind.  Yet, I have never kissed another in this manner.
Therefore, these must be memories from the collective.  Irrelevant
thoughts were banned from the collective, leading to the conclusion
that these actions are not irrelevant.

I believe I now understand what instinct is.  If my interpretation of
the database is correct, it is what caused me to run my hands along
his strong shoulders; to lean closer as his hands caused isolated
portions of my body temperature to rise; to reach my hand down to feel
what our actions were doing to his anatomy; to invite myself over to
his quarters to continue our actions.

"Regeneration cycle is incomplete."

"Computer, locate portions of the database relating to dating and sex
and display on this terminal."

Intriguing.  The amount of material available on this subject is
astounding. My interpretation of its importance in human culture was
severely underestimated. Perhaps a larger study is necessary.  Or, I
should meet Tom tonight and continue our study.

"Computer, isolate human customs relating to sex while dating."

Interesting, yet highly irrelevant.  People wear costumes for dates?
A meaningless action when the subjects intend to disrobe for
copulation. However, my own outfit has received much more attention
than those of the Starfleet crew. Perhaps, I should test this theory.

"Computer, display ten examples of female dating attire."

Clothing is irrelevant.  I am unsure of which option is preferred.
Perhaps I should enlist the Captain's advice in choosing an outfit.
Or this might be another important test for my instinct.  The Doctor
mentioned that next time he will design a blue outfit for me to wear,
so I will choose a dress in that color. This variation is intriguing.
It should accommodate the corset, but eliminates the unnecessary
material around my legs.

"Computer, replicate number five."

"Specify size."

"I am unsure."

"Insufficient information.  Initiating scan."  The disembodied voice
of the computer paused while the scan was activated.  "Replication
complete."

Now, how do I put this on?

---

The End