Part 3

Kathryn Janeway�s relaxed pose by the view port belied the frenzy of preparations she had just gone through. While her quarters were always neat, the captain had found herself putting various padds away, wiping nonexistent dust off furniture, and remaking her bed. Like she�s going to see it or something, she snorted inelegantly to herself. She had also changed clothes three times only to wind up wearing her original uniform.

When she finally turned around, Captain Janeway found Seven seated primly on her couch, hands folded and eyes pinned expectantly on her. She was somewhat at a loss having expected her Astrometrics officer to wait for an invitation before sitting down. "Would you care for anything to drink, Seven?" she recovered gracefully.

"No, thank you, Captain," Seven replied. "You were going to explain to me about the merger," she reminded the captain.

Kathryn hid a wince as she sat down on the other end of the couch, wondering why the Doctor�s lessons in small talk hadn�t sunk in to the ex-Borg. "You�ve studied Human dating rituals, correct?" Seven nodded. "Well, after couples reach a certain point in their relationship, they sometimes want to formalize things by having a special ceremony."

A tiny furrow edged between the blonde�s eyebrows. "The data I have read indicates that these ceremonies don�t occur until after quite a length of time. Couples go through various stages before they reach that point of understanding."

Kathryn smiled ruefully. "Apparently, the Premier seems to think we�ll have gone through those stages by the time we reach the V�Alad�r Colony. The merger he spoke of is commensurate with the Human wedding ceremony."

Seven�s frown deepened as she analyzed this new information. "How long before we reach their system?" she asked at last.

It was the captain�s turn to frown as she tried to figure out what the blonde was thinking. Not that it had ever done her much good in the past. The ex-Borg�s thought processes had always been something of an enigma to her, no matter how hard she tried to grasp it. "A week, two at the most depending on what we find between here and there."

"That leaves us little time, then," Seven considered thoughtfully.

"Little time for what, Seven?" Captain Janeway was slowly getting an idea of where this was headed and she didn�t know whether to laugh or cry.

"To get through the stages, of course. We can dispense with the courtship, since I am hardly in need of?wooing. We have already had our first date, so it is simply a matter of dating each evening and then on our fourth date we shall announce our engagement." Kathryn sat stunned while the ex-Borg continued. "The engagement will be short, but that�s to be expected given the time frame. We should be sufficiently accustomed to our new roles if we reach the colony in a week�s time."

Seven finished her speech and regarded the captain with eyes a brighter blue than Kathryn had ever seen. "Will you replicate more outfits for me? I would like to be able to dress properly for our dates."

Kathryn blinked at the hopeful tone and found herself nodding. "You know I�d be more than happy to help you diversify your clothing, but?"

Seven smiled. A full, teeth gleaming, features softening, heartfelt smile that was almost astonishing in its brilliance and made Captain Janeway forget what she was going to say. The blonde rose from her position and made her way to the door, pausing briefly to make another comment. "It will take me a few minutes to program the holodeck." To Kathryn�s astonishment Seven blushed. "I enlisted Lieutenant Paris� expertise to assist me in creating it. He assured me it would be the perfect setting for our date."

By the time Kathryn got her mouth in working order, Seven was gone, leaving the captain to stare around her quarters in mute wonder. While she had had no intentions of going through with any type of ceremony, it appeared the young Borg had other ideas. Then another thought struck her and she was thankful she was already sitting down. In order for Seven of Nine to enlist Tom�s help, she had to have asked him before the situation with the L�Antalans had come about. Just how long had Seven been planning a date with her?

She sat up and slapped her comm badge. "Janeway to Paris."

"Paris here," came the immediate response.

"Are you alone, Tom?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am, Captain. Why?"

Kathryn sighed, then let her eyes narrow. "I need to know what program you created for Seven, Ensign, and I need to know now."

Tom Paris shuddered at the husky voice fairly rippling with command. "Ah, you mean the holodeck program, Captain?" he asked weakly.

"Yes," she growled back in response. "Wait." She suppressed another sigh and pressed her hand to her forehead in an attempt to stave off a headache. "Just tell me what type of clothing should be worn. We�ll deal with the other issues later," she added, letting her helmsman know he was in no way off the hook. She didn�t have time to go into it now, if she was supposed to replicate the proper attire for Seven before she came back to get her.

Tom thought a minute then responded. "Something understated, but warm. If she goes for the full program, you�ll need a light jacket for when you go outside. Jeans will work as long as they don�t have holes in them," he added helpfully.

Captain Janeway rolled her eyes. "Do you really think I�d wear torn jeans on a date, Mr. Paris?"

"No, ma�am!" Even over the communicator, the captain could tell he was standing at attention.

"That will be all, Mr. Paris. Thank you so much for your?assistance," she said silkily. "Janeway out."

With that little matter taken care of, Kathryn dashed to the en suite to pick out clothing.