A Gift of One (part 2) written by Steve Cellor

"I... interpreted it as something.. you..." she hesitated slightly before saying the next words. "..... we humans would call a date" She finally spilled out with difficulty.

"Harry's learning something from Tom it would seem," whispered Janeway quietly as a warm smile simultaneously crept over her face.

"... and so what did you say; I mean did you accept?" Janeway inquired eagerly, not noticing that she had started becoming too inquisitive in Seven's personal life."

"Well I spoke to the point as you had shown me when speaking to others... but then he suddenly departed claiming that you had called him to the bridge, even though his Com badge had not sounded."

"I wonder what drove him away like that," mused Janeway to herself for a few seconds before Seven continued.

"I mean I told him that I was willing to fulfill his wishes and would be willing to mate with him. This of which, as I deduced, was the theme behind this engagement." Seven recalled almost too casually.

Janeway's visage shifted from that of a calm orderly thoughtful look to one of speechless and wide mouthed... shock literally speaking.

"Was there a error in my approach" asked Seven nonchalantly

"I'll talk to you later", Janeway gasped. "Meanwhile, why don't you just take a trip down to the mess hall and get something to eat and socialise with the rest of the crew." Janeway casually suggested not considering the fact that her reception may not be as pleasant as she'd expect.

"So, Harry how did you get along with your new 'Borg' Babe ?" Tom Paris triumphantly asked his seated friend who was tucking away happily into his Vinegar smelling pasta like meal.

Looking up at Paris was much like a rather bored and carefree child, the word "Child" forming in Tom's mind because of Harry's lack of interest in having a clean face after consuming his lunch. Right now though his face was half smitten in bit's of peculiar whitish...

"Goo" Paris yelped out in disgust as he saw how Harry was tucking into the unwholesome platter.

"Actually it's quite nice." Replied Harry still immersed in his slimy looking platter.

"Your, ...." Tom signalled around his own face.

After looking upon the shiny reflection of his metallic tray, he quickly snatched up a Napkin and re-adjusted his looks.

"Thanks" he murmured.

"So... what's troubling our sweet Harry today then" inquired Tom Paris, as he joined his friend on the 4 seated table. When the Ensign science officer didn't reply Paris continued getting closer to his distraught friend.

"It's about Seven isn't it" asked Paris

"Need you ask" replied Kim glumly.

"It didn't work huh" started Paris.

"NO...", Harry said loudly before quickly reasserting his tone when the other diners in the Mess hall turned towards their direction.

"It worked alright!" continued Kim

"It worked? Well what's the problem then" cheered Paris

It worked so well that when I asked her out she thought I was some distraught ... weirdo and offer to fulfill the object of my quest and..."

"What". Inquired Paris eagerly

"And Mate with me...!"

A few droplets of the beverage which Paris had been drinking dripped onto the table as the owner nearly choked on it, after hearing Harry's comment. At first Paris began excitedly and ecstatically, but after looking more deeply into his friend's eyes he saw the distress present within.

"She.. offered to.. with you !" Asked Paris calmer and more attentive to the situation but nevertheless still as excited.

"Yes, as I said your ruse worked too well, for me anyway."

"That's interesting" Paris concluded.

"And I'd prefer it if you not tell anybody else about this..."

"I understand Harry" Paris stated quietly.

"Yeah, we do Harry, and anyway why would you want to date someone so cheap anyway." Came the unified voices of 2 crewmembers that had been paying more attention to their conversation than any of the others had been. One was ensign Cooper a small but strongly built human with a particular Hawklike gaze, the other was Lieutenant Lomas a tall but handsome 'Flhorien' with a distinctive mane of handsome yet twisted blonde hair, both however wore obvious looks of contempt.

The doors to the Mess hall opened, and in approached an above average tall female human who was dressed in a sort of silvery metallic fibroid leotard costume. Her auburn autumn coloured hair danced behind her neck, as she stopped for a second or two to briefly scan the room, as if for some sign of an intruder, before re-adjusting her course for the counter of food by the chef Neelix.

Seven headed for the serving counter where the Talaxian male was serving biological supplements for the crew. She had noticed that the level of activity within this "Place of Social Gathering" which others identified as the Mess hall had dropped dramatically since her entrance.

"Ah, Seven of Nine, how may this member of the Talaxian race be of service to you this day?"

"I was asked to come here on Captain Janeway's request, to try out your organic supplements." Seven mechanically replied.

"What is available" Seven concluded her question with, while simultaneously noticing that the infra-red aura around many of the humanoids had increased significantly since her entrance, not to mention that more than a few pairs of gazes were now trained upon her every movement.

"Well... we've got some t'arquallian rabbit stew, some lean rosuk pudding or something called Spaghetti bolognese."

"Just some of the long white.. spaghetti material" Seven analytically replied

"Are you sure, I mean it usually tastes better with the meaty sauce, which has as you may know, ton of vital nutrients." Neelix stated noticing that his new customer didn't seem amused.

After a steel gaze however he knew when to keep his mouth shut and just serve.

"Just the Spaghetti then" the over zealous chef concluded.

Turning to leave Seven remembered she had forgotten to do something, before nodding a thanks and continuing her mission to look for a vacant table.

As she noted many tables were empty, but the thought of herself sitting alone was not too appealing, as she looked around for signs of any familiar faces, her friends as it were.

Then the search ended.

As in the comer was her would-be seducer Harry Kim, and the helmsman who had fired a phaser at her a few weeks earlier Tom Paris.

As she approached the two diners shifted about nervously looking at their meals and back in her direction repetitively.

"Hi, Seven" greeted Paris

Seven nodded a gentle reply then looked to Harry.

"Eh, we have to go now and... fix the Warp coils remember?" Harry nervously said to his companion without ever looking up at either of them. Harry chided as he stood up to leave.

"But you don't work in engineering" inquired Seven cunously.

Harry Kim's intent to part company from Seven as quick as possible was more than obvious to any keen observer. His last quirk gave his intent away utterly when he literally ran out of the door.

"Excuse me Seven," smiled Paris as he too ran after his departed companion.