SquidgeWorld Archive

Parallel Voyage 2: Liaisons
by Jeffrey Harlan
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A fist pounded on the desk top in Captain Kathryn Janeway's Ready Room.

"I will _not_ work under that automaton you call a doctor!"

The slim body of Lieutenant Danielle Marcus quivered in fury under the uncomfortable and ill-fitting cloth that passed for a uniform in the 24th Century.

"You will abide by my orders, Lieutenant," Janeway said icily. "Like it or not, he simply has both more experience and more tenure aboard this vessel than you."

"Captain," Marcus said, visibly trying to restrain her fury, "I didn't spend eight years in school and aboard the Challenger to end up being told what to do by a computer program."

"I appreciate your point of view," Janeway said diplomatically, "but there is already a precedent of artificial life forms serving in Starfleet. The Doctor has proven himself time and again over the last five years. He stays." Janeway turned back to the paperwork on her desk, indicating in a very overt way that the conversation was over.

Marcus made no move to leave and silently stood her ground in front of the desk, defying Janeway.

"You're dismissed, doctor," Janeway said curtly.

Marcus knew when she was beaten; she was willing to concede this round, but would carry on her crusade later. Marcus turned on her heel and stormed out of the Ready Room.

Janeway compared what had just happened to similar incidents with B'Elanna Torres shortly after they had become stranded in the Delta Quadrant. Noting the more agreeable nature of her Chief Engineer compared to their first meeting, Janeway allowed herself the luxury of a brief smile.

The irony of the situation was simply too delicious. There had been a similar incident the day before when an engineer from the Challenger had complained about "that Klingon criminal" in Engineering.

"Chakotay," Janeway said into the ship's comm system, "would you join me in my Ready Room?" Moments later, the First Officer was seated opposite Janeway at her desk.

"Commander," Janeway said, "I'd like you to remind our new crew members that they are being treated with the same standards as everyone else. Everyone will be placed according to their skills and abilities, just as the situation was handled with
the Maquis crew five years ago.

"I don't want to have to deal with any more cases crying foul every time they don't get their way. They're supposed to be
Starfleet officers, not children. Remind them of that, if necessary."

"Understood," Chakotay replied. "Is there anything else you'd like me to pass along, Captain?"

"That's all for now, Chakotay."

Chakotay rose, gave Janeway a parting glance and returned to his post on the Bridge, the doors closing behind him with
a quiet "swish."



Part Two

Harry Kim and Seven of Nine entered the already bustling scene on the Holodeck. In an attempt to bring the crews of the Voyager and the late starship Challenger together, Neelix had arranged for a few hours on the Holodeck to hold a luau. Everyone was in bathing suits and loose fitting clothes. Kim had even convinced Seven to wear a swimsuit to the event.

Nearly everyone was there. Neelix and Ensign Samantha Wildman watched Naomi as she splashed in the surf. Unsurprisingly, she was also the topic of conversation.

"So," Neelix asked, "who's this Quentin that Naomi keeps talking about? Is he a holocharacter?"

"He's her imaginary friend," Wildman responded. "I never thought how alone she'd be when she was born. I guess it's only natural, since there aren't any other children aboard."

Neelix nodded, silently noting the sad fact of Naomi's isolation aboard Voyager.

*******************

Meanwhile, Marcus, Janeway and Chakotay were talking over a pair of margheritas, seated at a bar a few yards away from the beach.

"So, doctor," Chakotay said, "tell us a little about yourself."

"Not much to tell," Marcus said. "I was born a few years before my father died. I went to the Academy, then med school and I was finishing my residency aboard the Challenger."

"I couldn't help but wonder," Janeway began, "are you in any way related to Dr. Carol Marcus?"

Marcus laughed, a small smile on her face. "She's my grandmother, actually. I didn't know who my father was until I turned 18, though. My mom never told him about me." Marcus took a sip of her drink, her smile fading.

"After my mom told me about her brief relationship with my father, David Marcus, I took his name and started trying to find my grandparents. I found my grandmother during my second year at the Academy. I spent my summers with her until I started med school.

"My grandfather, on the other hand, was a different story altogether. After the Enterprise-A was decommissioned, Jim Kirk retired and made damn sure no one could find him. By the time I was finally able to track him down last year - my time, of course - he was en route to the commissioning ceremony of the Enterprise-B. He never got my message."

"I'm sorry," was all that Janeway was able to say, as Chakotay put his arm lightly around her shoulders.



Part Three

Kim and Seven were seated at a table under the resort's awning. There was less traffic in this part of the simulation, which made Kim feel a little less nervous.

"You look great," Kim said, unable to keep himself from staring at her body.

"Your pupils are dilated," Seven observed. "However, beauty is irrelevant."

"No, it isn't," Kim countered. "Beauty aids in reproduction, after a fashion."

"How so?"

"If you weren't as beautiful as you are, it's possible I wouldn't have had a romantic interest in you."

"I do not understand the logic of your argument."

"OK, let's say a man meets two women, one whom he finds attractive, the other he doesn't. He's much more likely to attempt to have a relationship with the woman he thinks is beautiful."

"Beauty is not a determining factor."

"No, but it plays a part in the initial attraction."

"I wonder what those two are talking about," Tom Paris idly thought aloud. As he rose to his feet on the sandy beach, he felt a hand firmly grabbing at the waist of his swim trunks.

"Hold it, flyboy," Torres said, laying on a towel sunning herself. "That conversation's private. Believe it or not, there _are_ some things in the universe that _don't_ involve you." Torres tugged, forcing Paris back down to her level. "But I'd be happy to show you something that _does_."

"I love you, Seven."

"And I love you, Harry."

There was a brief pause as neither knew what to say.

"Love has been declared. The next step is copulation?"

Kim was caught off guard. "No! No, that's a little too fast for me. We need to take it slow, for now."

"'Take it slow'?"

"We don't immediately start copulating like a couple of teenagers."

"That is not the course of events followed by Lieutenants Torres and --"

"Seven, we're not Tom and B'Elanna! We're Harry and Seven. I think we need to take it slow for now, for both our sakes."

"Very well, Harry. How would we proceed at this point, if we are now 'taking it slow'?"

"Well," Kim said, leaning toward her and placing a hand on her cheek, "this is allowed." Kim leaned further into her
and their lips touched. The kiss was slow and gentle, unlike their last kiss a few days before.

"Way to go, Harry!" Paris exclaimed, looking up from his own encounter with Torres.

Torres herself was starting to get pissed at his behavior. He seemed more interested in Kim and Seven's relationship than his own. She grabbed the hair on the back of his head and pulled him back down to her.

As the kiss progressed, it deepened and picked up in intensity. Soon, the Doctor came walking through that part of the simulation, stopping in front of their table.

He cleared his throat. "Perhaps the two of you should get a room," he suggested dryly.

The kiss stopped immediately. The Doctor's voice had carried so that everyone in the Holodeck was now staring at them. Kim's face was turning as red as the shoulders on the captain's uniform. He stood up, wanting to say something to the Doctor, but decided against it and instead stormed from the Holodeck.



Part Four

As Harry Kim made his exit from the Holodeck, Seven of Nine followed close behind. Hurrying to match his rapid stride, Seven quickly caught up to Kim.

"What is your destination, Harry?" Seven asked.

"My quarters," Kim replied. "I need some time alone."

"I do not believe that is true."

"Huh?"

"I do not believe you wish to be alone. I believe you wish to be with me."

"Anyone tell you how observant you are?"

Seven looked at Kim, her eyes brightened, the corners of her lips were upturned; she recognized his compliment for what it was and she knew he didn't expect a response.

Seven followed Kim into the turbolift.

***************

All eyes remained on the Doctor after Kim and Seven left the Holodeck. Most were confused about what had just happened, but those who knew Harry Kim were appalled.

It was all B'Elanna Torres could do to keep Tom Paris from running over and attacking the hologram. After a few moments of stunned silence, the Captain walked over to the EMH and led him to an even more remote corner of the simulation. The rest of the crew resumed their conversations on their departure.

"Doctor," Janeway began, incensed, "who the _hell_ do you think you are?"

"Captain," the Doctor stammered, "was it something I said?"

"You'd better believe it, Doctor," Janeway spat. "Harry and Seven are in the early stages of their relationship. He's uncomfortable and you just embarrassed him in front of the entire crew!"

"I only meant to..."

"I don't _care_ what you meant, Doctor. In the future, use a little more thought." Janeway paused, to let her words sink in. "In the meantime, I think you owe a certain couple an apology, mister." Janeway turned and walked over to her table, where she had been talking to Marcus and Chakotay. The Doctor stood in place, not knowing what to say or do.

**************

Kim and Seven stepped out of the turbolift and walked to the door leading to his quarters.

"Perhaps I should join you in your quarters," Seven suggested.

"Well, you haven't left me yet," Kim replied. "What's to stop you now?"

Seven stopped, pondering his question. Kim paused in the doorway.

"Come on in, Seven," he said.

Seven followed him into his quarters, the door shutting behind them. The room was dark, the only illumination provided by the stars outside the windows.

"Lights," Kim ordered. The computer immediately obeyed, bringing the room up to standard illumination.

Seven turned to Kim so they faced one another. She placed her hands at the back of his skull and guided their lips together. The kiss lasted several seconds before Kim pulled away, his arms still draped around Seven's waist.

"I love you, Seven."

"Harry," she said, "I wish to copulate with you."

"Seven, I thought we'd already gone over this." The look in Seven's eyes was all Kim needed to know there was something else going on.

"There's something else; something you're not telling me. What is it?"

Seven sat on the edge of Kim's bed, uncharacteristically staring at her hands, particularly her Borg-enhanced left hand.

Strange, he thought, she normally doesn't sit for anything.

"It concerns One," she said.

When she didn't say anything further, Kim prompted, "It's all right, Seven. You can tell me."

Seven took a deep breath, then exhaled before continuing, "He was the closest I have come to having a child. I could not describe, nor comprehend, the joy and pride I felt when seeing his accomplishments. It made no sense.

"His death left a great sadness. I felt strongly for him, but differently than I feel for you."

"I think I understand," Kim said.

"His presence, and later, his death, awoke within me feelings and desires unlike any I have before encountered. Only now am I beginning to understand them."

"Seven," Kim began, "what are you trying to say?"

Seven looked up, into Kim's eyes. "Harry," she said, "I want a child."



Part Five

"Ensign Kim," began the projection of the EMH on Harry Kim's viewscreen, "I have reviewed my behavior earlier this evening..."

"Doc, call back later," Kim snapped.

The Doctor looked beyond Kim's shoulder to see Seven of Nine asleep in his bed.

"Mister Kim, am I to assume that you and Seven of Nine..."

"No," Kim cut the Doctor off in mid-sentence. "What did you call for, besides to annoy me?"

"Well, I wished to apologize for my behavior on the Holodeck, for one."

"And...?"

"And now that I see your relationship with Seven is progressing, I want to advise caution."

"I asked her to take it slow, Doctor."

"Before the two of you progress further in your relationship, I _would_ like to run a few tests. I'd hate to see another member of the crew assimilated in the heat of the moment."

"What?"

"I'm referring to the Borg equivalent of an STD, Mr. Kim."

"I hadn't thought of that."

"I assumed as much," the Doctor said dryly.

"I'll talk to Seven when she wakes up. I'm not on duty tomorrow, so I'll try to get her to come in then."

"Sensible plan, Mr. Kim." The screen went dark.

Kim walked over to the bed, where Seven's sleeping form lay. He gently stroked her face with the back of his hand, then changed into his pajamas and fell asleep on the couch nearby.

****************

The next morning, B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris were working on shuttle designs for a new fleet of Delta Fliers. Their problem, and highly unusual source of agitation, was that Seven of Nine was not only ten minutes late, but nowhere to be seen.

"Come on," Torres said to Paris. "Let's go yank the Borg out of her outlet."

The two officers left their consoles in the Science Lab and stepped into the corridor, the doors shutting behind them.

******************

Kim awoke with a start. He rose from the couch and walked over to the replicator.

Funny, he thought, I could swear I heard screaming.

"Coffee, hot, black," Kim said groggily to the replicator. As the mug of coffee materialized, a counter on the display panel counted off on his total replicator ration allowance.

As Kim sat across from Seven at the table, he noticed she was also drinking a cup of coffee.

"Seven, did you hear someone screaming a minute ago?"

Seven cocked her head inquisitively. Just as he was about to dismiss it, the screaming began again, coming from the corridor. Kim leapt to his feet and rushed through the doors.

He saw Naomi Wildman, pinned to the wall by two other children.

"Naomi? What's going on out here?"

The other two children turned, a boy and a girl, both with implants similar to Seven's above their left eyes.

"Tommy, Annika," Seven's voice came from behind Kim, "were you attempting to assimilate the other children again?"

"Yes mother," the girl said sheepishly.

"We're sorry, father," the boy said to Kim.

****************

Kim awoke with a start. He rose from the couch and walked over to the replicator.

"Coffee, hot, black," Kim said groggily to the replicator. As the mug of coffee materialized, a counter on the display panel counted off on his total replicator ration allowance.

Kim took the cup to the table and began to drink, Seven still asleep in his bed.



Part Six

Lieutenants Torres and Paris entered the cargo bay. Seven of Nine wasn't in her alcove, and was nowhere else in the cargo bay for that matter.

"Computer," Torres called, "what is Seven of Nine's location?"

"Seven of Nine is in Ensign Kim's quarters."

Torres and Paris' eyebrows rose in unison.

"Computer," Paris called, "location of Ensign Kim?"

"Ensign Kim is in his quarters."

*************

Kim watched the gentle rise and fall of Seven's chest under the blankets.

I wonder what she's dreaming about, Kim thought as he took another drink of his coffee.

The door chimed, nearly causing Kim to jump right out of his chair. He composed himself and walked towards the door.

"Come in."

The doors parted to admit Paris and Torres. As they walked in, Paris looked first at Kim, who was still in his pajamas, then to Seven, who remained asleep in the bed.

"Harry...!" Paris began, grinning devilishly.

"Tom, nothing happened," Kim said quickly.

"Sure," Paris answered. "I believe you."

Torres was already at the bed, waking Seven.

"Get up," Torres said, shaking the other woman by her shoulder. Seven's eyes began to flutter open, then she sat bolt upright in bed.

"What has happened?" Seven asked.

"You fell asleep," Kim said.

"I do not sleep," Seven replied. "I regenerate."

"Take it up with the Doctor," Torres said, annoyed. "Come on, we've got work to do."

Seven appeared puzzled. "Computer, what is the present time?"

"The time is now 0827 hours."

"We were supposed to be going over the plans for the new fleet of Delta Fliers," Paris said. "When you didn't show up, we came looking for you."

Seven stood up and walked towards the door, still in the swimsuit she wore to the Holodeck the previous night. Turning to
Torres and Paris, she said, "I will join you in the Science Lab after I have changed into something more... appropriate."

Seven turned and walked into the corridor, drawing the surprised attention of several passing crew members.

Paris looked at Kim, a gigantic grin on his face.

Before Paris could say anything, Torres grabbed his arm and dragged him through the doorway.

"Come on, flyboy," Torres said. "We've got work to do."



Part Seven

In the Science Lab, Torres and Paris were looking over the schematics of the Delta Flyer class of shuttles while waiting for Seven of Nine to arrive.

The doors to the lab parted with a swish, admitting Seven, now dressed in her silver jumpsuit.

"Lieutenants," Seven said, "I am now prepared to begin."

"It's about time," Torres muttered, eliciting a light jab from Paris' elbow.

Seven glanced at the interior schematic.

"This is unacceptable."

"What is?" Paris asked, defensively.

"The components from the 'Captain Proton' holoprogram do not belong in a modern shuttlecraft."

"They're fully functional, Seven! I'm sick of just hitting buttons. I want something more; something new."

"These components are hardly 'new.' They are inefficient."

"Do you have a better idea?"

"Yes."

"Well," Torres interrupted, "spit it out."

"We must design a new interface that incorporates physical and virtual displays, yet retains the variable functionability of the current LCARS interface system," Seven replied.

"You're kidding," Torres said.

"And just how the hell do we manage that?" Paris asked.

"Holograms," Seven said. "It would also aid in plotting courses and other three-dimensional variables, rather than relying on two-dimensional representations."

"It could work," Torres said. "From what I've learned from the Doctor's mobile emitter, I could design a holoemitter small enough to fit inside a standard control console."

************************

Six grueling hours later, the trio had managed to create a baseline for the new interface system. Much to Paris contentment, the holographic nature of the system would allow him to use a "Captain Proton" style interface and then return it to the default for the next user.

The three stepped off the turbolift and onto the Bridge. Janeway rose, their arrival unexpected.

"Captain," Torres began, "we've made some modifications on the Delta Flyer design you should be aware of."

"This sounds interesting," Janeway quipped. She was a scientist, not an Engineer. Vehicle construction rarely got her blood pumping.

"We could best display our progress in the conference room," Seven suggested. "The viewscreen would be most useful in our... presentation."

"Very well," Janeway said, raising her arm towards the conference room doors. "After you."

The four entered the conference room and Torres immediately launched into her spiel.

"Captain, in order to resolve a conflict regarding the control interface," at this Torres looked directly at Paris for a brief moment, "we had to devise an entirely new control system."

"What's wrong with the one we've got?"

"It is inefficient," Seven replied.

"So," Janeway asked as she took a seat, "what did you come up with?"

"Holograms," Torres answered.

"Holograms," Janeway echoed questioningly.

"Based on what we've learned from the Doctor's mobile emitter, we've devised an interface that will give us the variability of the LCARS system and also allow us to incorporate three-dimensional constructs and controls."

"How did the Doctor's emitter help?"

"I used it as a baseline for a compact emitter in the control consoles. I can't make one that small yet, but it's a possibility for the future."

"This is incredible work," Janeway said, indicating the image Seven had brought up on the screen. "How soon can you have a prototype ready?"

Torres glanced at Seven and Paris. "A week; week and a half. I'll need Harry's help, too."

"You've got him," Janeway said, her gaze fixed on the display. "You look exhausted. Take the rest of your shift off and start fresh in the morning."

"Aye, Captain," Paris said enthusiastically.

"Dismissed," Janeway said, grinning.

The three left Janeway in the conference room with the schematics, trying to take in the full extent of their innovation.



Part Eight

Seven stepped into Kim's quarters, the doors gently sliding shut behind her.

"You asked to see me, Harry," Seven said, as much a question as a statement.

"Please," Kim said, indicating the chair opposite the one he was taking at the table, "have a seat."

As Seven sat, Kim continued, "I've been thinking about what you said last night. I love you, but I for one am not ready to be a parent. Also, there's the small problem with your nanoprobes."

"What is the problem?"

"Well, I wouldn't like to find myself assimilated because we just jumped into bed unprepared."

"I do not understand."

"It's something we need to see the Doctor about."

"I see," Seven said. After a thoughtful pause, "Why do you not wish to have children?"

"Kids are a big responsibility," Kim said. "Look at Samantha Wildman..."

"She is not here," Seven interrupted.

"I mean, take her for example," Kim explained. "She spends all her off-duty hours caring for Naomi. I'm not ready for that kind of commitment."

"Therefore you do not wish to copulate with me," Seven concluded.

"No, I do," Kim said, "but I'm not ready to have kids."

"I do not understand," Seven said, confused. "Is procreation not the reason for copulation?"

"Sometimes," Kim answered, "but sometimes you just have sex for the sake of having sex."

"Curious," Seven said. "I had not thought of that."

"You've never had sex," Kim ventured.

"No," Seven answered.

"When you do, you'll understand."

"Teach me."

"Let's talk to the Doctor first."

"Very well, Harry."

Kim stood and cocked his head towards the door. "C'mon," he said, "let's go see the Doctor."

Seven and Kim exited his quarters, the doors closing quietly behind them.


End