The Proposition
Sandrine's was bustling with people as the Doctor sat at the bar, his gaze focused intently on Seven's back. She was conversing with one of the holograms and he was mentally cheering his student on. He knew he could teach her the subtle art of romantic social interaction; he just needed the chance to prove it. The hologram seemed interested in whatever Seven had said. Then again, the Doctor had programmed him to react that way. He was so intent on watching every gesture, every little movement that he didn't see the doors to the holodeck open and close until someone in Starfleet colors walked by and joined him.
"I see Sandrine's is under new management." The Doctor just shrugged.
"What are you doing in here anyways, Doc?"
"Shh. School is in session." He pointed towards Seven and the man.
"Social lessons again?"
"Yes, now please, be quiet." Tom waved the bartender over and ordered a drink. The glass appeared moments later and Tom took a sip.
"So what exactly is this lesson?" The Doctor let out a huff.
"We are developing her dating skills." Tom nearly choked on his drink.
"Dating? Wait…you're teaching Seven of Nine to date?" The Doctor nodded.
"You've got to be joking."
"What? Are you saying she can't get a date?" Tom shook his head.
"No. Half the men on this ship would jump at the chance…look at her. No one can deny she's attractive…very attractive."
"I won't tell B'Elanna you said that."
"Thanks. But getting a date, and living through it are two different things." The Doctor looked pensive for a moment before turning his attention back to Tom.
"Mr. Neelix is holding a reception for the ambassador on Thursday."
"So."
"Not only will Seven of Nine arrive with a date but she will have him eating out of the palm of her hand." Tom thought about it for a moment.
"You're volunteering her for this?"
"Yes."
"Fine…if she shows up with a real date, not one of these holographic guys catered for her needs and comfort zone and leave with him on good terms without causing a diplomatic disaster, I'll work double shifts in Sickbay for the next month."
"Alright…and if I lose?"
"I get the month off." The Doctor looked back to Seven. She was starting to stand up. He caught the expression on the man's face. He looked confused and a little hurt that she was leaving so quickly.
"Alright, it's a deal." He and Tom shook hands just in time for Seven to join them.
"Who's your friend?" Seven ignored him.
"I have mastered this lesson. We shall proceed to the next one." The Doctor gave a smile and looked back at Tom for a moment.
"Of course. Let's go." She headed for the doors and the Doctor gave Tom a wave.
"Good day, Mr. Paris." Seven bid farewell to the Doctor and returned to the astrometrics lab for her duty shift. The Doctor returned to Sickbay and set about organizing the next few lesson plans for Seven's dating education. He would have to work fast if she was going to have a date by Thursday. Back on the holodeck, Harry had wandered in and joined Tom at the bar.
"So you'll never guess what just happened."
"Someone deleted the pool table." Tom laughed a little.
'The Doctor thinks he can teach Seven of Nine to date." Harry's face flushed. He had long since gotten over his crush on her, or at least he thought he had.
"Really?"
"Yeah…I have a feeling I won't be working nay shifts in Sickbay next month."
"Why's that?"
"We made a bet. If she shows up on Thursday with a date and leaves with him on good terms, I'll work double shifts for the next month. IF she doesn't, I get the month off."
"I don't know, the Doctor can be determined when he wants to be."
"I still can't get over the mess hall incident."
"Yeah…somehow I don't think B'Elanna is going to forgive her any time soon."
"So who do you think she's going to ask?"
"Why? You interested."
"No…just curious that's all."
"I don't know, Harry. She's got a whole ship to pick from. And any guy worth his stuff would accept."
"Of course…"
"Admit it Harry. You still like her."
"I don't like her….she's just…a very attractive woman. That's all. Like you said, any guy would jump at the chance."
"Sure."
Down in the astrometrics lab, Seven reflected on the encounter she'd had on the holodeck. It seemed simple enough, although she had felt very uncomfortable talking about herself. It was clear he was a hologram with no knowledge of her Borg heritage or anything else on Voyager. It had been part of what had made her uneasy in the conversation. He was an attractive enough individual as holograms went. Then again, attractiveness was mostly irrelevant in her view. Behind her the doors slid open and Icheb waked in.
"Good afternoon Seven." He joined her at the console and let his eyes fall on what she was doing.
"Good afternoon."
"Commander Chakotay asked me to assist you."
"Begin recalibrating the sensors on that console." He moved over and his fingers began to move of the buttons.
They worked in silence for quite some time, falling into an easy pattern of side stepping each other and reaching over arms to reach buttons.
"Can you finish here/ I must regenerate."
"Of course."
Seven made her way down to Cargo Bay 2 and was about to enter her regeneration alcove when the Doctor appeared.
"Ah there you are."
"I must regenerate."
"Oh…yes of course. I was just thinking we should start the next lesson. When you've regenerate. No rush."
"As you wish." With that the Doctor left her to her regenerating and returned to Sickbay. This was going to be the longest three hours of his holographic existence. In the Mess Hall, Neelix did his best to keep up with the Kadi ambassador's taste buds. He knew they should be down in engineering but he would rather sit and eat.
Three long hours later, the Doctor returned to the Cargo Bay to find Seven stepping from her alcove.
"Ready for your next lesson?"
"Yes."