The BLTS Archive- The Burgeoning by T'Pam (t_pam@yahoo.com) --- Standard Disclaimer: Voyager and all her crew belong to Paramount/Viacom. No copyright infringement is intended, as this little tale is just for fun. - Oh boy is it. --- Tom sat down slowly, sipping from his coffee mug as he did so. He screwed up his nose as he scrolled down the data padd he was holding. He had a conn report to finish, and the way it was going, it would never be done. He considered handing it in the way it was but could already hear the lecture from Chakotay if he did so. Gritting his teeth, he settled down to work. He barely heard the swishing of the mess hall doors announcing that he was no longer alone. Taking another sip from his mug, he looked up to see Seven approaching him. "Ensign Paris," she said in greeting. "Am I disturbing you?" Tom sighed and set down the data padd. "It doesn't matter. What can I do for you?" "I require your assistance." "Oh? Sit down." He waved to the chair across from him and she slowly sat down. He winced as he watched her. It always made him feel uncomfortable whenever she sat down, because SHE always looked so uncomfortable. However, she was sitting down across from him now, watching him with interest. "So, how can I help you?" "I have been continuing my personal development lessons with the Doctor. He has instructed me to read some romance novels and I am becoming - curious - over some of the material contained within them." "I see. What sort of material?" "Some of the text is sexually explicit and I am finding myself - inquisitive." "Oh! Maybe you should ask the Doc. I'm sure that he would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have." (Jeez - what had the Doc been telling her to read?) He might like to project the image of suave, devil-may-care, man about town, but that didn't mean he wanted to explain to Seven all about the birds and the bees. "I do not believe the Doctor can help me," she stated. "He is a hologram and although he does show me slides, I wish to see this in a realistic representation." "Okay. What exactly do you wish to see?" He took another gulp of coffee. "Your burgeoning erection." Coffee went flying everywhere. Not only did Tom spit out what he was attempting to swallow, he also knocked over the mug. Seven calmly stood up and went to get a cloth from behind Neelix's counter, while he battled to breathe again. She composedly wiped her dripping face, before heading back over to him and cleaning the table in front of him. "You were surprised by my request," she stated - a little unnecessarily, in his opinion. "Y-y-you could s-say that," he managed to stammer out. "What the hell?" He stopped suddenly and glared around the room. 'Okay, very funny Har. You can come out now. You got me good." "Ensign Kim is not here," Seven told him in surprise, going back behind the counter to return the cloth. "Why would you think he would be?" "Because, this is a joke. Right?" She shook her head, returning to stand beside him. "In almost all of the novels I have so far read, they all mention a burgeoning erection, more than once." "They do? What the hell are you reading?" "At the moment, the novel I am reading is called, 'Loves Sacred Flower'. Burgeoning erection is a constant description within the text. This has aroused my curiousity. I believe it is time for me to witness this burgeoning erection for myself." Tom gulped. "Why mine - um - me?" "Of all the males I feel comfortable with, I believe yours would be the most burgeoning." "I see," he croaked out. "Thanks - I think." "So, you will show me?" "Um, it's just that - um. I like to keep my burgeoning erections for special occasions." "I understand. I do not wish to use it. Just to see it and perhaps feel it." "Feel it?" Tom's voice was a high-pitched squeak. "Yes, if that is acceptable to you." Tom shook his head. "You do not wish to display your burgeoning erection?" She sounded disappointed. "Um, Seven. It's not that I'm not - um - highly flattered, but guys don't go around with permanent - um - burgeoning erections - um - to flop out, whenever they feel like it." He winced at his unfortunate choice of words. There was nothing floppy about what was happening in his nether regions at the moment. He looked down into his lap. All this talk of burgeoning erections, was having an embarrassing effect. He glanced up to see Seven also inspecting his lap. "It appears you are indeed ready to show me," she commented. He flushed. "You may remain seated if you prefer, but I believe it would be more interesting if you stood. This will not take long." Damn straight! If this continued any further, it certainly wouldn't take him very long. He jumped up quickly. "Sorry Seven, I have to go." He ran awkwardly from the room. Where the hell was B'Elanna when he wanted her? --- Seven watched him leave and sighed in frustration. Ensign Paris could certainly be unpredictable. He had reacted no differently than she suspected Ensign Kim would have. She should have foreseen his embarrassment. She would have to ask someone who would not be embarrassed. Of course. She left the mess hall quickly and made her way to the turbolift. "Computer, please state the location of Commander Tuvok." 'Commander Tuvok is in his quarters.' Perfect. He was the logical choice. --- The End