Before her shift, as the Captain had promised, Lt. Tuvok had offered her the promotion to security detail. She had quickly accepted without hesitation, her exuberance surprised even Tuvok who was advising her to take time to think about the decision. A sleepless night tossing and turning wasn't needed to see the advantages in the switch. A better shift rotation, more responsibilities, and to be out from under B'Elanna's direct supervision were more than enough reasons to accept.
Kinsey was so into her daydreams of her new position that she didn't realize B'Elanna had moved beside her to observe her work.
"Ensign!" B'Elanna barked. "Are you trying to deliberately eject the warp core? Check the temperatures in the manifolds, they are way above normal."
Kinsey blushed a deep crimson and quickly made the adjustments to correct her mistakes. "Sorry, Lt."
B'Elanna studied her carefully. "I understand you are leaving us to join Tuvok's team. Maybe it's the best thing all around. You've been distracted lately."
"No, ma'am. I mean I am fine and my work has not suffered.....has it?"
"Well, other than this incident, no. But I don't want a member of my team who can't concentrate fully on her job. It's too dangerous in critical situations." B'Elanna stated.
Kinsey stuck out her chin and looked B'Elanna straight in the eye. "I have never given you cause to doubt my abilities. I think you are just upset to be loosing me."
"Well, someone is sure full of herself tonight." B'Elanna laughed. "Seriously, Ensign. Why did you jump at this opportunity? To get away from me? Am I too tough on you?"
"No, no. You are right that I've been distracted, but....it's personal. And I didn't think it was affecting my job. I guess tonight the promotion has me walking on air. And hopefully this change will allow me to solve my personal problems." Kinsey glanced shyly at B'Elanna.
B'Elanna sighed. "I think you have a lot of potential Kinsey. You just have to settle down and focus. If we were back in the Alpha Quadrant, you'd probably be on the command fast track and be Captain by the time you were 35."
Kinsey blinked and swallowed hard. "Wow, that means a lot coming from you. Thanks. And I'm not trying to get away from you. I enjoy working with you."
Kinsey held her breath while B'Elanna processed this bit of info. She wished they weren't on duty so she could make her feelings more clear. The talk with the Captain had given her confidence a big boost.
"I enjoy working with you too, Ensign Kinsey and if you ever get tired of Tuvok and security, there is always a place in engineering for you." B'Elanna promised. "Make me proud." And with that she gave Kinsey's hand a squeeze and walked off.
Kinsey thought she would faint. Somehow she managed to make it through the rest of her shift. And most of her co-workers probably wondered what the big grin plastered on her face was about. But she didn't care. B'Elanna Torres cared about and respected her. She was in heaven.
**************
On the other side of engineering, B'Elanna was doing a little daydreaming herself. She was on her way to do some extra work during the Gamma shift, when the Captain had stopped her in the corridor and invited her to dinner. Her throat went dry and her heart pounded quickly and she barely managed to spit out a yes. Now she was certain that the Captain had noticed her subtle flirtations and had decided to pursue a relationship. And what a start....an intimate dinner with just the two of them. B'Elanna was already dreaming up what to wear.
**************
Seven of Nine stepped out of her regeneration alcove feeling oddly unsettled. She had been having nightmares again, at least that's the term that the Doctor had given them. And each time she regenerated they seemed to get more confusing. It was really just a bunch of jumbled images. But when she presented them to the Doctor for analysis, he seemed upset and a little angry. He dismissed her without treatment and told her to get used to it. She could hardly think of doing that. The images seemed so hauntingly real and vivid that she could still see them as she strolled down the corridor towards the mess hall. The Gamma shift had just ended and the hallway was a mass of people rushing to and fro.
"Oof." Seven heard as she bumped into a crewmember, nearly knocking her down. "Alexandra Kinsey, are you hurt?"
Kinsey glanced down at the Borg's heel imprint in her boot and winced. "No, Seven. I'm OK. I wasn't looking where I was going. Sorry."
"Apology accepted. I should have been more aware also."
Kinsey was about to step aside and let the Borg pass when an idea hit her like a bolt of lighting. "Seven, do you have dinner plans tonight?" She felt like genius. Seven and the Captain would make a perfect couple. Both strong and outgoing.....definitely "type A" personalities. But enough of differences to make it interesting.
"I was going to recalibrate the sensors in Astrometrics at 1700 hours, but after that my time is unoccupied." Seven stated.
"Great. Why don't you join the Captain and me for dinner in her quarters? I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Kinsey grinned invitingly.
"Acceptable." Seven agreed after hesitating slightly. "What time do I report?"
"It's dinner, Seven, not an away mission. Meet us in her quarters at 1915. And wear something pretty." Kinsey demanded.
"Pretty?" Seven questioned.
"Yes, like a dress or something. Show off those great legs of yours."
Seven nodded and continued on her way. She was not sure why her face was feeling hot after the statement that Ensign Kinsey made. Between the dreams and various comments from the crew, she was feeling very emotional lately. The Doctor had mumbled something about puberty and raging hormones. She turned and started back towards the cargo bay. This was definitely a topic that needed more research.
**************
Meanwhile, Captain Janeway was laughing to herself and smiling when she entered her quarters. She had invited B'Elanna to dinner and was feeling pleased with her matchmaking abilities. She thought if things went well, then she could excuse herself on some "urgent matter" and leave B'Elanna and Alex alone to work out their new relationship.
She sighed to herself knowing this was just another diversion to keep her mind from filling of thoughts of Seven. Janeway still wasn't sure how she was going to approach that or if she would do anything at all. She was tired of the same thoughts running through her mind...protocol....favoritism......involvement with a crewmember. Although Seven wasn't technically a crewmember, Janeway felt her so-called "untarnished" image should be kept intact when they were so far from the governing body of Starfleet. She had to figure out a way to balance a healthy, intimate love life with her duties and responsibilities as Captain.
Janeway grinned to herself. She was already thinking of ways to work out a sexual relationship with Seven and she didn't even know how Seven felt about her. 'Oh well,' she thought to herself. 'One thing at a time.' And she went into her bedroom to get dressed for dinner.
**************
Seven paced around the cargo area in a disturbed state. She had replicated several outfits to wear tonight, but none of them seemed right. She was feeling uneasy by the invitation that Ensign Kinsey had made earlier, especially after she did some research on human sexuality. It appeared from the data that Kinsey was interested in pursuing a relationship with her and that tonight would be what is referred to as a date and the Captain would be functioning as a chaperone. Although Seven was flattered with the idea of someone else being attracted to her, she was pretty sure that she was not equally drawn to Kinsey. Seven almost canceled the evening by sending a message, but decided that she should wait to see Kinsey before informing her that she was not interested. Besides she did not want to appear rude in front of the Captain. She would just tell Kinsey of her feelings of friendship only and hoped they would all be able to enjoy a nice dinner together afterwards.
At 1850 Alex glanced at the clock and cursed. She was running late, something that was very out of character, and her hair still would not behave. She finally gave up and rushed out the door with seconds to spare. She had to sprint down the corridor to arrive on time and tapped the chime at exactly 1900. The Captain greeted her at the door and smiled a greeting. Janeway stepped aside and Alex stopped short when she saw the atmosphere of the room. Candles were lit on every surface and the lighting was dimmed to a low level. Fresh flowers were arranged in crystal vases and there were soft pillows and silk throws arranged on the bench that ran along the wall under the viewport. Alex gazed at the Captain curiously.
"Don't worry, Ensign, it's not for the two of us. I just wanted to set a mood and I'll why explain later. Would you like a glass of wine?"
Kinsey nodded speechlessly, still amazed at the length the Captain went to "to set a mood." They chatted aimlessly for a few moments while the Captain went about setting the table and replicating dinner. When Kinsey saw only two place settings she breathed a sigh of relief that the Captain hadn't found out about Seven's impending arrival. That was a surprise that Kinsey hoped would please the Captain.
Just then the door chimed and both ladies looked up expectantly.
"Why don't you get that Kinsey?" said the Captain. "I'm not quite finished with dinner."
Kinsey pressed the button to open the door and to her surprise there stood B'Elanna. And what an outfit she was wearing. The Klingon had replicated a long, form-fitting, red dress that set off her dark coloring beautifully. The top was crushed velvet and dropped to a "V" almost at B'Elanna's waist. The skirt trailed to the floor, but was parted by a long slit that snaked up her thigh to her hip. Kinsey felt faint with excitement.
"What are you doing here?" they both asked at once.
Both women turned to look at the Captain who had a satisfied look on her face. "I thought we could all got to know one another better." she said.
"Then why are there only two place settings?" observed B'Elanna as she entered the quarters.
Before the Captain could answer that question, the door chimed again. Now it was the Captain's turn to look confused as she walked over to answer it. What she saw next literally took her breath away. Seven of Nine standing there with her down and a long dress made of sparkling silver material that shimmered as she stood there in the lighted corridor.
"May I come in?" Seven asked politely.
The Captain stepped aside as Seven strode past her purposefully. It was now Kinsey's turn to look pleased. "Seven, you look beautiful. Thanks for coming." Kinsey said.
"Ensign Kinsey, may I have a word with you?" Captain Janeway's tone was harsh.
The Captain and Kinsey moved away from the other women to the far side of the room.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Janeway whispered.
Kinsey blushed. "I was trying to surprise you. I thought you were lonely and you and Seven would make a good couple."
"I am surprised. However, I don't need one of my crew members arranging dates for me." scolded the Captain.
"But it's OK for you to do that to me?" Kinsey questioned.
"That's not fair. You told me who you were interested in and I thought I was trying to help a friend." Janeway explained.
Kinsey balked. "I only told you because you promised not to interfere. I was doing fine on my own."
"Yes, it sure looks that way." Janeway's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Kinsey balled her fists together in anger. "You are lucky to be the Captain, lady, because if not, you'd be lying down nursing a sore jaw." And with that, she stalked into the Captain's lavatory.
Across the room, B'Elanna and Seven were observing this exchange with interest.
"What are the arguing about, Seven?" B'Elanna asked.
"I do not know." Seven admitted.
"I thought you had borg super-hearing." B'Elanna said.
"The Doctor has adjusted my neural receiver so I cannot eavesdrop on other's conversations now." Seven explained.
"What good are you then?" B'Elanna said with disgust. "Nice outfit by the way."
"You also look aesthectically pleasing." Seven observed.
The two eyed each other warily, not knowing if the comments were genuine.
"Why are you here?" asked B'Elanna curiously.
"It appears Ensign Kinsey is infatuated with me and the Captain was acting as our chaperone on this date. I am not sure of your role here, however."
B'Elanna straightened. "I was invited by the Captain." she said haughtily. "Maybe she wanted someone to talk to in case you two starting getting it on like rabbits."
"I do not understand your reference, but I assure you that I have no interest in Ensign Kinsey. I only came here to inform her of that as I did not understand the intentions of the invitation when it was extended."
"Well, that's great. Maybe you should go explain that to Ensign Kinsey in private so the Captain and I can have some time alone." B'Elanna countered.
"Are you and the Captain involved in an intimate relationship?" Seven questioned.
"We might be if we could get some time alone." B'Elanna said pointedly.
At that point they saw Ensign Kinsey flee to the bathroom and the Captain turned to them apologetically. "She just needs to freshen up, I'm sure she won't be long."
Kinsey splashed some cold water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror. Her bad temper had almost gotten her in trouble again. 'Threatening the Captain, what was she thinking?' She dried her face and put on a happy grin and exited the bathroom. The three woman stood there uneasily making small talk.
"Why don't we all sit down and have dinner?" the Captain suggested. She quickly replicated more of the meal and two more place settings.
The conversation was stilted, each woman not knowing what to say or how to say it. Finally the Captain spoke up.
"I think we are all uncomfortable as to why we are here. Maybe we should talk about it and get somethings cleared up."
Kinsey and B'Elanna hesitated and then a voice spoke from nowhere.
"I am not interested in having sexual relations with Ensign Kinsey." Seven stated.
Kinsey's fork slipped through her fingers and dropped against her plate with a loud clatter. The silence in the room became deafening.
"Excuse me?" said the Captain and Kinsey simultaneously.
"I do not with to become intimately involved with Ensign Kinsey so this 'date' is an ineffective use of time." Seven reasoned.
"No offense, Seven, but I don't want to sleep with you either And we are not dating." Kinsey scoffed.
"Then why did you ask me on a date?" demanded Seven.
"I asked you here to be the Captain's date..."
"Kinsey that's enough." barked the Captain Turning towards Seven. "Seven, I had no idea she had done this.
"I wish everyone would stop interfering in my personal life. I have no wish to have a sexual relationship with anyone." Seven rose and stormed out of the quarters.
B'Elanna stood also. "I guess I'll be going too." She looked at the Captain. "I thought you wanted to spend time alone with me. I guess I was mistaken." B'Elanna threw her napkin on the table and left in a huff.
"Captain." Kinsey cried. "B'Elanna likes you! No wonder she hasn't paid attention to me." Kinsey burst into tears and exited the room through the same door as the other two women.
Captain Janeway sat back in her chair pondering the events of the evening. 'That's what I get for trying to help others.' she thought to herself. 'Now I'll never have a chance with Seven.'
end part two