G-String

"C'mon Harry! It'll be fun!"

"No! I doubt the Captain will find it amusing." Harry Kim argued, "I think you're crossing the line on this one, Tom."

Tom Paris was at it again. Besides being the fair-haired helmsman for the U.S.S. Voyager he had also become the best holodeck programmer aboard.

"I'm sending out personal invites to the grand opening to a select few." Tom announced feeling quite proud of himself.

"I don't have a good feeling about this one," Harry insisted, "I'm afraid someone will find it offensive."

"Oh get over it Harry!" Tom replied, "We're stuck on a starship in the Delta quadrant 50,000 light years from home and will be for quite some time, what's wrong with a little holographic entertainment to make the trip bearable?"

Harry knew he would not prevail on this and conceded. "Alright! So what are you gonna name it?" he questioned, relaxing only a micro degree.

"Huh?" Replied Tom as he continued to input data into the holo-computer.

"The club Tom! What's the name going to be?"

"I was thinking 'The Gentleman's Club'. I know it's not catchy, but I believe it's what's inside that counts!" Tom smiled at Harry, "Done!" He said as he finished the programming, "Let's give her a whirl, shall we?" He shot a look at Harry with his characteristic devilish grin.

Harry eyed him one last time. "Just make sure you secure the door when it starts! I don't want any uninvited guests walking in by mistake."

"Sure Harry, if it makes you feel better. Computer initiate security protocol Paris Alpha six-six-six at program Paris Gentlemen, start!"

"Security protocol instated." came the reply from the computer.

"Computer: Start Paris Gentlemen's Club!" And before them, a large dark room with a bar to one side, tables scattered about and chairs lined up around a lit twenty-foot wooden runway. A brass pole near the front of the stage ran up from the runway floor to the ceiling. There seemed a curious smoky aura to the room, but Lt. Kim noted he couldn't smell anything peculiar, a quirk in the program he'd need to remind Tom of later.

"Gentlemen!" Called the voice from behind the bar. "What can I get you?"

Both Tom and Harry turned. "What time does the show start?" Bemusingly Tom inquired as they approached the bar.

Lt. Commander Tuvok's eyebrow shot up as he read the incoming message to his tactical station. He looked up toward the front of the bridge just as Commander Chakotay chuckled and turned to look back in his direction. Their eyes met knowingly.

"What's so funny?" Asked Captain Janeway as she heard Chakotay's chuckle.

"Absolutely nothing, Captain." Voyager's First Officer and former Marquis Captain informed her.

"Oh really?" Janeway replied dryly, aware still that her first officer was keeping something to himself. This stretch of space had been uneventful. Even a chuckle at this point in time would be a change of pace. "I could use a good laugh right about now"

"Really Captain, it was nothing. However, please remind me that the next time I schedule Lt. Paris and Lt. Kim off on the same day that I am in error." He smiled.

"Why is that, Commander?" She asked wryly.

"It allows them too much time on the holodeck." Chakotay replied.

"I'm guessing Mr. Paris is at it again?" She asked really wanting to know.

"Yes." Was all her First Officer offered.

"Another Fair Haven?" She inquired further.

"Not quite." Chakotay quickly grinned, and then stopped abruptly upon hearing Tuvok clear his throat. "Captain, I believe I am going to pay a visit to Engineering." He spoke as he keyed off his Padd. "With your permission?"

"Permission granted." Came her reply, knowing Chakotay had just blown her off. Some things are better left unknown, Katie. Her little voice reminded. Yes, they certainly are she agreed, but she was bored and she hated secrets. All in good time she thought to herself as she prepared to rise.

"Tuvok! You have the Bridge! If you need me I'll be in my ready room." Janeway commanded. She walked across the bridge and down through her ready room door.

Janeway always had the dreaded Personnel and Departmental PADDs to attend to and she found it best to keep them up-to-date. It would make her file transitions to Starfleet that much simpler when they arrived home. "When they arrived home," was the big question, something she knew would not happen in the near future. However, they were working on a project captured from Borg technology that could possibly get them home in a week. Figuring it out and getting it installed and functioning properly was proving itself an arduous challenge.

Janeway grabbed two PADDS from her desk then crossed the room to the replicator for a fresh cup of coffee. As she climbed the stairs to the sofa she thought about how she found comfort in attending her tasks.

Picking up the Emergency Medical Hologram's report to read over first, she was surprised to find that he had reduced Seven of Nine's regeneration time to four hours a day. This, providing she increased her nutritional intake and sleep requirements. Janeway took a moment to reflect on her lack of awareness in respect to Seven's progress. There was also a note to the captain about a possible upgrade needed in quarters, replacing the cargo bay, for the ex-Borg drone. She found this an interesting update, considering Seven had never mentioned in any of their previous conversations, wanting anything other than her present quarters.

It had been several months since the Captain and Seven had embarked upon a slightly more intimate relationship. Seven had begun to face her desires, one of which was the Captain, and Janeway had been forced to deal with her own feelings in return. As Janeway slid comfortably back into the sofa, her mind went back to that first dark and chilly night spent on the back of a motorcycle. The comfort she had come to enjoy and need from Seven provided her with everything she thought she could ever expect from a relationship. They had been keeping a low profile, dating but blocking any other pathways until they were sure this was what each person wanted. They had not shared the added dimension to their relationship with anyone on Voyager, yet. Both knew it was only a matter of time before the rest of the crew put Seven and One together. Seven requiring quarters, Voyager having few to spare, was something she would take up with Seven over dinner this evening. Perhaps there was a way to work things out.

In her heart, Janeway knew this young woman was "the one". Seven was the soul- mate Janeway longed for. Kathryn found herself lost in the depths of her soul-searching when Seven came along and freed her from it. Her mind took her back to the night she first laid eyes on Seven of Nine, then Borg. The Collective had joined with the Federation to assist against species 8427. Seven of Nine had been assigned to the Captain. At first sight she still had the distinctive Borg metallic skin, so thin it's transparent yet, this one was not hopelessly Borg. Her previous assimilation could not hide the same beautiful woman she was today. Janeway knew then, that this was someone she would never let go. Yes, perhaps she has outgrown Cargo Bay 2, Kathryn thought to herself. Your quarters are pretty spacious, Katie! Her little voice spoke up. She put the EMH's PADD down. "Janeway to Seven of Nine." She spoke after tapping her combadge.

"Seven here, Captain." Came the prompt reply.

"Seven, would you care to join me in my quarters this evening for dinner?" The Captain asked. Normally, she would have sent an inter-ship message. "Is 1900 hours alright with you?"

"Yes, Captain, that would be acceptable. Is there anything else you require?" Seven questioned.

"Not at this time, Seven. Janeway out." As she ended it before Seven could inquire as to why she was using the ship's com-system for personal business.

"Harry," then more insisting, . . ."Harry!" Tom Paris raised his voice over the loud music, receiving no response. He smiled as he watched his friend, mesmerized by the beautiful young lady currently sliding up and down the pole. This is going to work out just fine, he thought to himself as he focused back to the stage.

By the time the captain returned to her seat on the Bridge, so had her first officer. Actually, he had been back for quite some time. He had taken that trip to Engineering for a small while, to give himself a good excuse in case his other activity kept him too long. He had taken a stroll by the new holodeck program Tom had just put the finishing touches on, but kept that under his hat for the time being. Now he was currently readjusting the staff schedules for the next couple of weeks per several requests he had already received.

"I take it everything in engineering is in order?" The Captain questioned after a brief period of silence.

"We're running just fine, Captain." He acknowledged, shaking his head but not looking up.

"Well then, since it appears we're in good shape, I think I'll retire from the bridge early today." She spoke, looking for a reaction from Chakotay who had not looked away from his PADD since she'd returned.

"I'll hold down the ship for you, Captain." He answered and then looked up from the business he was attending to with a smile, "Have a good evening!"

Oh, this is gonna kill me, Janeway thought to herself as she looked at her first officer who was hiding something, she was sure of it. "You too." She spoke as she rose from her seat and headed toward the turbo lift. Any other time her first officer would have wondered about her early departure.

As she entered her quarters she found herself thinking about Seven and the request for her own quarters. She turned promptly and walked back out and down the corridor to the next door. "Computer, unseal ambassador quarters, Janeway Alpha seven zero nine."

"Ambassador quarters unsealed." Spoke the feminine voice. She entered the spacious living area. It was as big as her own, maybe even larger. There was no way she could assign these quarters to Seven of Nine. It would be beyond protocol, yet she did not want her on the lower decks. She didn't want their relationship obvious to the crew if she were to make frequent visits there. She moved to the wall bordering her own quarters, as the thought of expanding loomed. It could work, she thought, but how could she accomplish this without announcing their relationship? She put her hands on her hips and looked around. Even if she could accomplish this and move Seven in with her, people would still make assumptions, right or wrong. A smile played across her face then as a decision was made within, but first she would have to speak with Seven. Stepping out of the ambassador quarters, she asked the computer to reseal them and headed back to her own.

B'Elanna Torres shook her head as she pondered this new concept and frowned at her current lover. "What do you mean "guys night out?" She questioned curtly.

"You know, just me, Harry, maybe Chakotay and a few others for a game of cards a few drinks and some laughs, that's all." Tom Paris explained what he felt was obvious.

"You just spent the entire day with Harry, for Kahless' sake!" She snarled, not happy at all with the prospect of spending the evening alone. This was becoming far too frequent. She thought about offering a compromise ride on the Harley's with Seven and herself, before Tom started again.

"I know Lanna, but we put together such a great holoprogram for it. Please?" He asked desperately.

She looked at his pouty face and gave in to his little boy looks, "Well, I suppose I could catch up on some reports I've been putting off." She sighed.

"Thanks honey, I really appreciate it!" He grabbed her and kissed her. "I'll be home early, I promise."

"Oh, hey now little boy, don't go making any promises you can't keep!" She had hold of the front of his shirt and her slight smile showed her pointed teeth.

"I won't, really." He answered, kissing her again. After he was out the door, she found herself shaking her head, hands on hips, half laughing to herself and knowing she had been ditched for the evening.

It was 1900 hours when Janeway's door chimed. She had just placed the evening's meal on the table and was uncorking a bottle of wine. She stepped over to the door as it opened.

"Kathryn." Seven spoke as she entered and the door slid shut behind her. Janeway looked up at Seven with a smoky grin.

"I hope you're hungry." Janeway offered.

Seven quirked her implant as a small grin seemed to appear. Janeway blushed, realizing what she had implied.

"I have prepared a delicious meal, my dear." She added.

"Indeed." Seven answered as she leaned down and kissed Kathryn on her forehead, "Shall we?"

They sat down across from each other as Kathryn pulled the stasis lids from the dishes.

"What have you prepared?" Asked Seven, staring at the food laid before her.

"It's an old earth recipe." Janeway explained.

"It is flat." Seven continued to stare at the meal.

"I know. It's called pizza." Janeway introduced. "It's good, really!" She took a piece and placed it on Seven's plate.

Seven examined the piece with her optical implant, took a bite, and chewed very slowly.

"It is quite - interesting." She smiled at Janeway then took another bite. "I like it." She spoke with her mouth full.

"I'm glad you like it." Kathryn returned the smile, watching Seven eat with pleasure, "The salad is good, also. You might try it as well." She motioned toward the salad bowl.

They spoke about each other's day through the rest of the meal. It wasn't until Seven dropped her napkin onto her plate and sat back that they both realized they had eaten the entire pizza and salad. Janeway started to pour the last of the wine into Seven's glass. "No, Kathryn. I could not eat or drink another thing." Seven spoke, sliding her hand across the top of her wine glass, "You finish it."

"Alright." Janeway acquiesced happily; glad to pour it for herself. "Let's make ourselves more comfortable, shall we?" She picked up her wine and headed for the sofa as Seven followed.

They lounged against each other as they had many times before. Somehow they had managed to limit their relationship up to this point. They had spent much of their time learning each other, taking time to understand the depth at which they each could love. There had been times when passion had pushed them close to consummating the relationship, but both had come to learn the value of long cold showers.

"Seven, I got a report from the doctor today suggesting private quarters for you. Are you aware of this?" Janeway asked as she snuggled under Seven's arm.

"I was not aware that he was going to entertain you with the idea. I had only discussed my lack of privacy with him yesterday." Seven answered evenly.

"How is it that you now lack privacy?" Janeway asked.

"I have always lacked privacy, Kathryn. It is only recently, however, that I have had a need to be alone at times and cannot seem to accomplish this with crew coming and going from the cargo bay at all times." Seven pointed out.

"Hmm," Janeway sighed feeling as if she had let Seven down, "Why was I not more aware of your needs?"

"I did not mean to upset you by not sharing this with you, Kathryn, and I had no idea the doctor would bring it to your attention before I had." Seven kissed Kathryn's forehead and rubbed her hand up and down her arm causing Janeway to shudder. "Are you alright?" She questioned.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just wish I had known sooner that you were in need of privacy that's all." Kathryn sat up then turned to look at Seven. "Perhaps I have a solution?"

"It does not involve the cargo bay does it?" Seven asked.

"No darling, it doesn't. It involves you sharing these quarters with me." She looked at Seven intently as she held the young woman's hands between her own.

Seven pondered for a second and asked, "Would they still be your quarters or would they become our quarters?"

A smile crept up one side of Janeway's face, as she answered, "Our quarters, of course."

"And in what part of our quarters will there be any privacy, if needed?" Seven inquired.

"Well, I believe I have a solution for that as well." Kathryn spoke quite delighted with her plan.

"Explain."

"I could have maintenance add a second bedroom and bath or a den." She explained, "We've come quite a way across this quadrant and have had very little occasion to utilize the Ambassador quarters. I'm thinking we could borrow a few feet of living space from there. What do you think?"

Impressed, Seven asked, "And what of the crew?"

"They're going to find out sooner or later, darling." Janeway chuckled as she snuggled back up against Seven, pulling her chin down and kissing her. "I love you." She whispered. "I want very much for us to be together. . .soon."

"You love me, yet you will not - make love to me?" Seven pushed the boundaries of Janeway's world as she returned the kiss, deepening it.

"Hmm," Janeway moaned not wanting to let go to answer, "Good things come to those who wait." She wrapped her arms languidly around Seven's neck, pulling her down to her and taking the kiss to another level.

Seven hesitated, "I see it will be cold showers again." Then she melted into Kathryn, knowing it would be a mutual endeavor.

"Mr. Paris, I find your program interesting, to say the least." Tuvok spoke to Tom Paris as he sat down in the empty chair next to him, his eyes never leaving the stage.

"Yes, Tuvok, this one is certainly entertaining." Tom smiled then yelled. "Hey Harry! You're supposed to put the money in her g-string, not hand it to her!"

Tuvok quirked his brow as Harry leaned toward the stage.

Captain Janeway had just finished entering her orders to have maintenance remodel her quarters when the chime to her ready room chirped. "Enter!" She commanded as she placed the PADD down on her desk.

B'Elanna Torres entered the ready room, more brusquely than usual. "Captain," She spoke, "If I may have a moment of your time?"

"Of course, Lieutenant, have a seat." The captain replied leaning back in her chair.

"Captain, there is something I need to bring to your attention, if I may." B'Elanna spoke pointedly.

"And that would be?" Janeway asked uneasily keeping her command mask in place.

"Last night I returned to engineering to catch up on some reports and found that most of the crewmen on the beta shift had requested a change in shift. This morning I found that the crewmen of the gamma shift had pretty much done the same thing. What is going on with the duty roster that affords this kind of shift change? Is there some project that I have not been made aware of?" B'Elanna snipped.

The Captain raised her eyebrows at the tone being projected in her direction. "There are no special projects that I am aware of. I will look over the current duty roster and let you know what I find." She answered thinking back on her first officer's behavior the day before. "Is there anything else?"

"You are not concerned?" B'Elanna asked puzzled by the Captain's seeming acceptance of the situation.

"I believe I need to look into it first, Lieutenant." Captain Janeway spoke pointedly. "If you're finished. . . I have a project that will require your best efforts.."

"How will I find time to work on a project if there is no one left in engineering to cover?"

Janeway smiled at her then, "I'll make sure that you are covered, Lieutenant. I need you to work with Seven of Nine on relocating one Borg alcove."

The request caught B'Elanna quite off guard. "Move the alcove? Where?" She questioned.

"Over the next couple of days maintenance will be remodeling my quarters. I am picking up a few extra feet from the Ambassador quarters next door. I would like to have the alcove installed in my additional bedroom." The Captain informed waiting for the axe to fall.

A look of pure astonishment poured onto B'Elanna's face. "You are having the Bor - Seven's alcove installed in your quarters? Am I hearing you correctly, Captain?"

Captain Janeway flashed a force 8 glare not liking the tone or the reference made by her Chief Engineer. With a sharp commanding tone she spoke, "Lt. Torres, let me point out to you that before the Borg was assimilated, she was a human being. No! Let me make you understand. She was a six-year-old human child who has withstood more in eighteen years than you or I will ever know in our life times. Am I making myself perfectly clear?"

"I. . ." B'Elanna started to reply nervously.

"Your attitude in her presence or mine has not been becoming a Starfleet officer and I will not tolerate such any longer." The Captain continued in an urgent angry, demanding tone, "No more references, no more innuendos. Am I making myself perfectly clear, Ensign Torres?"

"Yes, Captain." B'Elanna replied feeling like a well-spanked child. "I will work on my attitude."

"If you are to remain my Chief Engineer you will change your attitude." Janeway ended, "Now, as I was saying. I would like to see you work with Seven of Nine on relocating that alcove. Do you foresee any problems with this request?"

"No Captain, there will be no problems." B'Elanna answered feeling as if she were now three feet tall. "Captain?"

"You're wading in pretty deep water already Lieutenant, what is it?" Janeway asked pointedly.

"Begging the Captain's pardon. Why the Captain's quarters?" She asked timidly.

Janeway sighed knowing that no matter what, the truth needed to be told. She also knew that by calming herself down and telling B'Elanna the rest of the crew would find out very quickly soon after. The long kept secret would be out of the bag. It would allow she and Seven some normalcy to their relationship, perhaps.

"Seven no longer requires long hours of regeneration and the doctor feels she requires her own privacy now to which I concur." She stated the most obvious reason first. "Also," Janeway hesitated grasping for strength within herself, "She and I have become somewhat involved over the last few months. We've decided that sharing quarters was something we both would like to try." Relief flooded through the captain as the words tumbled from her.

B'Elanna opened her mouth to speak, closed it, and then tried to find the words again. "I don't know what to say." She finally spoke in total amazement.

She realized the captain had just shared something extremely sensitive and personal with her. She did not want to let this woman down, after all she had given her a break when she had first come aboard Voyager and even though she had just been deservedly reprimanded she knew she would not disappoint her captain. Actually she felt kind of happy for her. She knew it had been a long time since the captain had been involved with anyone and knew it was still a long way home. So what if it was Seven of Nine, heck even she had found herself attracted to the beautiful tall blonde at one time. "Are you happy, Captain?" B'Elanna asked having sorted through her amazement.

"I believe so." Answered Janeway as she softened her look.

"Then I'm happy for you. . .and Seven. Well," She said standing, "I've got an alcove to relocate."

"You've got a couple of days before our quarters will be ready, but perhaps you can get with Seven and decide what would be the best course of action?" Janeway offered.

"Yes, I'll do that immediately, am I dismissed?"

"Dismissed, Lieutenant." Captain Janeway commanded and the half Klingon, half human hybrid made haste departing the Captain's ready room.

Captain Kathryn Janeway knew the fourth most significant step in her life had just been taken. The first was destroying the Caretakers array. The second was severing Seven of Nine from the Borg Collective. The third was falling in love with the ex-Borg drone and now sharing her joy with the crew.

She found the duty roster PADD on her desk and sat back to investigate B'Elanna's concerns regarding the shift changes.

Seven of Nine stood in Astrometrics going over planetary information when the door hissed open and the feisty Chief of Engineering entered.

"B'Elanna Torres, what brings you here?" Seven questioned evenly not looking back but recognizing the footsteps.

"Well Ms. Borg, I've been assigned to help you relocate your alcove." B'Elanna started right in.

"Indeed?" Seven answered looking at the Klingon.

"That's all you have to say? Indeed?" B'Elanna asked indignantly.

"What more would you have me say?' Seven answered with a question truly not wanting to feed into B'Elanna's banter.

"You could say, yes! B'Elanna, my friend, I'm moving in with the Captain so that I can regenerate in the privacy of my own quarters!" B'Elanna teased.

"You are not my friend, B'Elanna Torres." Seven stated with no emotion.

"Oh Seven! Yea wound me." B'Elanna acted as though she had been knifed, but then straightened up and asked in a much more serious voice, "Why aren't we?"

"Why are we not what?" Seven asked in total wonder.

"Friends." B'Elanna indicated now with real concern.

"I do not know. You would have to tell me why." Seven answered still hesitant at where she was being led.

B'Elanna frowned not knowing any longer why she had disliked this woman, "I. . .I don't know either, Seven and I'm genuinely sorry for my past behavior."

"Why would I accept your apology? I have nothing to base this sudden change in attitude on." Seven scrutinized.

"We have to start some where, Seven." B'Elanna offered truthfully.

Seven looked at her then seeing something in B'Elanna's eyes and identifying something different in her tone of voice. "Apology - accepted. I would appreciate your help with moving the alcove."

It was a new day, they both knew, and perhaps in time a friendship would develop, but between these two the path would surely have holes.

She was exotic, long dark hair; sepia colored skin and she gyrated down the runway to a slow beat. When she reached the end she had peeled away everything she had donned except her g-string.

"Mr. Neelix?" Chakotay inquired, "Are you alright?"

Neelix stood on the floor at the end of the runway in awe of what slowly danced before him.

"I'm. . .fine, Commander." The near naked dancer leaned down and kissed Neelix's speckled forehead. "What was that you asked, Commander?" Neelix numbly asked his eyes never leaving the exotic beauty before him.

"I said your kitchen's on fire." Chakotay joked.

"Okay, Commander. . .I'll be there in a minute." Came the dazed reply.

They went to the mess hall for dinner. Upon entering Janeway glanced around at the few people who were eating. Not only was her engineering department void of male crewmembers, but so was the mess hall. She and Seven took a table off in the corner.

"Seven, have you noticed a distinct absences of male crewmembers as late?" Janeway asked looking around the mess hall now a little more than concerned.

"I have heard several of the lower deck crew talking about a new holoprogram." Seven answered as she scowled taking a stab at what ever lay on her plate, "I believe this is still. . .alive.

"A new holoprogram by Mr. Paris?" Janeway asked then poked at her meal to rule out existing life there as well.

"No doubt. Since he and I still frequent the Harley program, Tom has become a lot more open with me, perhaps he would be willing to share his latest creation with me." Seven offered.

"You wouldn't mind checking in to it, would you dear?" Janeway asked as she threw her napkin onto her plate, "You're right, I think I saw it move, where is Neelix anyway?" The captain again looked around the mess hall in frustration finding no Neelix in sight.

"I would venture a guess as to the holoprogram." Seven replied quite finished with her meal having not eaten one bite, "I will talk with Mr. Paris later.

"I would appreciate it. B'Elanna came to me earlier today quite concerned by the changes to the duty roster in engineering. When I scanned it after she left I did find a lot of shift change outs approved by my first officer, which concerns me.

"Was there anything else that you and B'Elanna Torres discussed?" Seven questioned curiously.

"Well, I did ask her to work with you on the relocation of your alcove." Janeway answered not wanting to rehash her meeting with the Klingon. "Why?"

"Nothing really, however she was acting rather oddly when she came to see me this afternoon."

"B'Elanna? Acting oddly, how?" Kathryn questioned with an ironic look on her face.

"She wanted to know why we were not friends." Seven explained

"Hmm," Janeway replied, "Perhaps she's had a chance to reevaluate her feelings toward you?"

"Why would she do that?"

"Maybe she doesn't want your girlfriend and soon to be quarters mate reevaluating her level aboard this ship." Janeway answered with a smirk crawling onto her face.

"You told her?" Seven asked in surprise.

"Let's just say I explained things to her and leave it at that." Janeway stood then, "How 'bout a walk?"

"I would prefer to use a few of my replicator rations for another of those - pizzas we had last night?" Seven offered as they walked from the mess hall.

It was much later when Seven having just left the Captain's quarters for the evening made her way to the holodecks.

"Computer, what is the location of Lieutenant Paris?" Seven queried from a companel.

"Lieutenant Paris is in holodeck 1." Replied the feminine voice. Seven tapped her combadge.

"Seven of Nine to Lieutenant Paris."

With much background noise came his reply. "Paris here! What can I do for you Seven?"

"Lieutenant Paris, I wish to speak with you for a few minutes, privately." She requested.

"I'm kind of busy right now, Seven."

"Yes, I can hear that, but none the less I am outside of holodeck 1 and wish to speak with you." She pursued.

"I'll be right out." He answered and the doors of the holodeck opened immediately. "Seven, what can I do you for?" He asked grinning like a Cheshire cat as the door slid shut behind him.

"Mr. Paris, the captain is concerned about the level of entertainment your holoprogram is providing her crew." Seven went straight to the heart of the matter.

"The Captain?" Paris questioned in astonishment, "How did she even. . ."

"How she knows is irrelevant. She is concerned with the large changes to the duty roster. Perhaps you could run the program a little more often so that her crew could also manage their duties without rescheduling as well?"

"I don't know, Seven, I'm already running this thing almost 12 hours a day. I'm sure someone will complain about lack of holodeck time sooner or later." He answered genuinely worried.

"Mr. Paris, from what I have seen or heard I am confident that anyone who would complain about holodeck time is already using your program. Perhaps you could run it 16 hours a day without too much complaint." Seven suggested with a smirk.

"Probably worth a try, if it'll quiet the Captain down." He spoke thinking more to himself.

"And Tom." Seven spoke, "I would like to see your program."

"Oh I don't know, Seven, it's pretty much a guy thing."

"Mr. Paris, why is watching naked women - a guy thing?" Seven questioned having heard about the program from lower deck crewmembers tittering earlier in the day.

His embarrassment showed, "Man! Who else knows?" He exclaimed wiping fresh beads of sweat from his brow.

"I would say that many more will know by this time tomorrow." Seven presented him with the smallest of smiles.

"Seven? Are you attempting to blackmail me?" Tom asked quite amazed.

"It is not an attempt, Mr. Paris." She answered having lost what little smile she had previously managed.

He held her gaze for a minute then sighed, " When?"

"What would be good for you?"

"Well, I planned to shut it down early tonight, but tomorrow night would be good."

"Then I shall meet you here tomorrow at?" Seven asked was not backing off.

"0200 hours." He answered. "Or is that too late for you?'

"I will see you then." Seven nodded at him then walked away.

"What was that all about?" Questioned Harry Kim with concern when Tom finally reentered the holoprogram.

"The last show is at 0 hundred hours tomorrow night." Tom told him, "I need to run some diagnostics, make sure all is well."

"Okay, but what did Seven want?" Harry continued to inquire noting the slight worry lines in his friend's face.

"She's going to be helping me run those diagnostics."

"Oh, I don't know Tom." Harry answered as dread descended upon him.

"We don't have a choice, Harry. But don't worry, it'll give you a chance to get out of here early tomorrow night."

Harry continued to stare at his friend wondering what could possibly be up and how Seven of Nine had gotten involved.

"Whoa, Tuvok!" Laughed Tom loudly as a pair of panties that had been thrown from the runway now hung around the Vulcan's totally expressionless face. The conversation with Seven was fading quickly.

It was very early in the morning. The last woman had just left the runway. Tom yawned.

"Well?" He questioned Seven who had looked utterly stunned the last hour.

"I found it - stimulating." She answered looking at him now with the oddest expression.

"Stimulating. I suppose you could call it that." He yawned again, "Seven, I've got to be on the bridge in four hours. I need some sleep."

"It is late. Tom Paris, I would like two hours of private time with this program tomorrow. Is this possible?" Seven inquired.

"Why?"

"Why is irrelevant." The ex-Borg drone answered.

"1300 hours, is that good for you? He offered to tired to argue.

"And again at 2045 hours for one hour and fifteen minutes, privately." She bargained.

As tired as he was, this peaked his curiosity and a boyish grin played across his face.

"I will place my security code on this program for those two hours. No one other than who has the code will be able to enter." She added.

"What are you planning? A little girls' night out?" He inquired wanting more detail.

"No, a simple party for two. Good night, Mr. Paris." Seven answered as she rose from her chair then exited the holodeck.

A simple party of two, he thought to himself, what is that all about? Perhaps the source of all good ship's gossip would be able to help him. He would talk to B'Elanna first thing in the morning.

Captain Janeway was reading a planetary scan report of the next star system when her PADD displayed an intra-ship message that read:

Kathryn Janeway,

Please do me the honor of joining me in Holodeck 1 this evening at 2100 hours. I would like to treat you to one hour of very stimulating entertainment.

Please use security code Seven Alpha 9 1 1, and please dress casually.

Until then,

Seven

She replied back accepting the invitation immediately wondering what Seven had planned. It had been a while since they had taken a Harley ride together. It would do them both some good to virtually get out of the ship she thought.

"Captain." Her first officer interrupted her musings.

"Chakotay?" She looked at him.

"I just received a report from maintenance saying the work ordered on your quarters is complete. I was not aware you were having work done." He commented raising his tattooed brow.

"I placed the order myself and they got right on it several days ago." She informed him.

"Might I ask what you had repaired? Perhaps it was something that I could have fixed?"

She chuckled at him then and answered, "Perhaps you could have if you had been around. Speaking of which, what have you been up to these last few evenings, Commander?" She asked inquisitively.

Feeling the embarrassment well up he shook his head and smiled, "I've had a lot of reports to go over, Captain." He knew she would not believe his answer, but it was the best he could offer.

"Reports?" She answered incredulously.

"Yes, Captain." He retorted playfully, "Some of us have plenty of work to do, unlike others. Now what was wrong in your quarters?"

"Nothing really, I just had them add an additional small bedroom and bath by taking about ten feet from the Ambassador quarters, that's all." She informed him as if it were nothing.

He opened his mouth to remark, but closed it, and then tried again, "Why would you require an additional bedroom and bath? Is one not enough?"

There was no way she was going to let this opportunity slide from her hands. It was not often that she was placed in a position to watch her first officer stunned with amazement. Well she hoped that it would be amazement.

"Well yes, I suppose one was enough when it was just me." She offered him a little more rope.

His brow crinkled now and the conversation's perplexing content showed on his face, " What are you saying, Captain? You are now living with someone?" He asked unsure of himself, yet horribly curious.

"I will be, soon." She alluded.

"What? Why? Better yet, who?" He went straight to the point her obvious amusement was way more than what he could take at this point in time.

"Seven of Nine." She answered quietly and at the same time noticed that Lt. Paris had almost totally turned around in his seat to watch them. He definitely was listening to their conversation which she knew really did belong in her ready room. "You have a question, Ensign Paris?" She asked him pointedly.

"No Sir!" He answered briskly and immediately turned back to his controls and the view screen before him.

Turning her attention back to the conversation at hand and quite sorry to have missed his reaction she looked at her now quite stunned first officer. Who sat starring at her with his mouth agape. Chuckling aloud she spoke, "Breathe, Chakotay."

"I. . ." He tried to speak but could not. He could barely think.

"I suppose some things are better left not spoken." She mused quite pleased with herself, "You have the bridge, Commander." And with that she swaggered to her ready room for a nice hot cup of coffee, if the replicator allowed, to toast her newly found courage and freedom that as of yet had not affected her abilities to command.

"Girlfriend, you sure are a fast learner!" Angel complimented Seven of Nine, "And I really like your outfit."

"It is acceptable." Seven commented as she let one of the other dancers apply her dark lipstick while yet another finished her hair.

"That about does it, Seven! You're looking awful fine, girl!" Jazz commented as she helped Seven of Nine stand up. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought how so unlike herself she appeared, but she was sure that Kathryn would find her appearance quite acceptable this evening. Why else would she be here?

She stood before them quite tall of course 6-inch stiletto heels in addition to her own height would do that. She wore a very tight black tube dress that barely covered her full breasts and fantastic derriere. Her hair splayed down across her shoulders rather wildly. The make up that had been applied seemed rather dark to her, but it did seem to bring out her blue eyes. She wore a single thin black choker around her neck and it was time to go.

Kathryn Janeway entered the security code to the holodeck and stepped in. It was a very large bar with a stage, no strike that it's a runway of some sort. There were no tables or chairs; no there were no tables and only one chair sitting at the end of the runway, which she walked up to.

"Captain!" Came the voice, it was from behind the bar. "We have been expecting you." He walked toward her now from around the bar and he carried a drink. "Please, have a seat!" He spoke as he handed her a drink. "Enjoy the show!" It was a whiskey straight up. She sat wondering what this was all about. When she turned back to question the bartender he was nowhere in sight. Curiosity was certainly getting the better of her. She sipped at her drink.

The lights around her dimmed leaving the runway lit up. Music started to play. She recognized it as a 20th century earth rock song of sorts and she thought to herself, so this is Mr. Paris's latest program. Amusement played on her face. A voice echoed through the empty establishment welcoming all guests to the Delta Quadrant Gentlemen's Club. She sat back now ever so slightly nervous as to what awaited her.

The music had faded into a 20th century jazz tune. The saxophone whaled in a song of passion; slow pulsing hypnotic. The curtain at the back of the runway parted. A spotlight lit up, one rather long elegant leg as it stepped onto the stage; the foot bore a black stiletto heel tapping to the beat of the music. Oh my, Janeway thought to herself, what is this? Her respiration increased

And then the rest of the body stepped into sight and all that Kathryn Janeway could think to herself was, breathe!

Seven of Nine was a vision one would only see in their dreams. She strolled, no danced lazily down the runway. Taking her own sweet time, teasingly, not seemingly coming any closer. She stopped turning her back to Kathryn when the music paused. Her legs spread apart she bent over and looked toward Kathryn through her parted legs and when the sax screamed she stood up, turned back around throwing her head, her hair wildly back as she moved again slowly, ever so slowly toward the now totally astounded Janeway.

As Kathryn Janeway watched in total desire she felt her body react to the utterly magnificent beauty dancing in front of her. She could feel her nipples harden without a touch as the gorgeous woman undulating down the runway before her took her breath away. She felt a wetness slide from her as Seven grabbed the pole with both hands and hiked her leg up on it then bringing it down she straddled it, looking back at Kathryn and sliding up and down, up and down, the dress had rolled down at the top exposing her breasts. No she had pushed it down decisively. Large full breast, dark areolas, nipples hard all purposefully exposed. She then left the pole and danced again, teased again slowly, hypnotically to the front of the runway eyes locked onto her one and only spectator. She smiled then for Kathryn, with a look that showed nothing put pure unadulterated desire, then turned her back on her once again legs parted, the music paused, she again bent down and looked through her legs only this time she slowly, very seductively licked her lips and when the sax screamed she again stood but as she stood this time she pulled the form fitting dress off, turned around throwing her head, her hair wildly back as she moved again slowly, exotically to the front of the stage wearing only a black leather g-string. Slowly, hypnotically she danced, exotically, timelessly then dropped the dress in Janeway's lap with a definite grin. Her eyes looked into the depth of the pleasured eyes sitting in front of her.

Kathryn Janeway used every ounce of strength within herself not to snatch this unbelievable seductress from in front of her to hold her to kiss her to. . . Seven continued to dance only now backing up slowly, teasingly little by little she moved toward the curtains sliding her hands around her breasts and then down over her pelvis. Slowly, teasingly until she reached the curtains where she blew the captain a kiss then disappeared with the exception of one rather long elegant leg; the foot bore a 6-inch black stiletto tapping. And as she slowly pulled it from the spotlight the saxophone was but a whisper as the music ended. Janeway sat for a minute longer still drinking in what she had just experienced, what she had just seen.

The lights came back up in the bar that for some reason seemed smoky and from nowhere the bartender appeared. "Did you like the show?" He asked jovially.

"Yes." Kathryn answered as if she were exhausted.

"Would you care for another drink?" He asked.

"Yes." She answered realizing she needed something, anything to calm herself down. As he prepared her drink he spoke from behind the bar.

"That was Nikki. She was good, no?" He asked.

"Oh my yes, she was very good." Janeway answered still trying to recover and clutching Seven's dress.

As he handed her the drink he offered, "Would you like to meet her?"

"I would very much like to meet her, if I may," She answered with a slight smile, "Please?"

"I will get her." He replied and disappeared again through a door behind the bar.

Minutes later Seven dressed in a short blue dress walked down the runway, down a few steps and over to the bar where Kathryn Janeway stood.

"Kathryn?" Seven spoke with concern seeing the look of what she assumed as distress on her face, "Did you not like my show?"

"I liked your show very much. I just don't know exactly what to say." She looked up into Seven's eyes. "You were - are so beautiful, I. . ."

Seven leaned down and kissed her. Gently at first then deepened it. Janeway put her arms around the young woman's neck not wanting it to ever end. Seven's hands moved up her back then slid around to cover her breasts. "Kathryn. . ." Seven whispered in her ear, "No cold showers tonight, please."

"Hmm." Janeway purred. She found Seven's lips again for a while longer. Then she stepped back gazing up into the beautiful blue eyes. "Let's go home. . .now!" She whispered her voice a husky timbre as she took the ex-borg stripper's hand and led her out of the holodeck.