A little one shot I thought up. No romance, just Paris hijinks...

Imagination

Tom Paris was having a very bad day.

To begin with, B'Elanna was mad with him for some obscure reason, probably something extremely small he had done (or forgotten to do) thrown completely out of proportion by her Klingon temper.

Then the holodeck broke down 2.25 minutes before his reserved session. Tom liked his holodeck time.

But now, the Captain was sending him to do something he really, really, really didn't want to do.

Tell Seven of Nine her clothes were too tight.

It was quite easy to find her. She was the poster child of fixed routine, which meant that at this moment she was in the mess hall on Deck Two. He spent the entire turbolift ride worrying, and upon entering the hall, spotted her alone at a nearby table. Tom pulled up a chair from a neighbouring table and sat across from her.

"Mr. Paris. To what do I owe this… pleasure?" Seven asked, cocking an eyebrow and looking him straight in the eyes. Tom found himself rather unnerved by her gaze.

"Uhhhh, a desire to be sociable? You looked lonely…" He trailed off. Seven gazed at him sternly.

"I do not require company, nor do I usually enjoy idle conversation. If you have something to say I would request that you be direct."

"Direct?" thought Tom "How am I supposed to be direct?"

"Seven," he said aloud, nervously clearing his throat, "the Captain has asked me to tell you…"

"Yes?"

"Your choice of apparel…"

"Yes?"

"It… leaves little to the imagination." "There, I've said it."

"I see. Mr Paris, what is imagination?"

Great.

"Well, I think she feels that they are slightly distracting, a bit… risqué."

"I do not understand."

"They're too tight. Revealing."

"Thank you. I shall take that into consideration before my next shift."

"I'm glad you understand." Task completed, Tom made to beat a hasty retreat. But Seven wasn't quite finished.

"Oh, and Mr. Paris?"

"Yes?"

"In my experience, the directest approach is usually the best."

"I'll take that into consideration, the next time we talk." He left the hall as quickly as possible.

Seven smirked inwardly, then headed to sickbay to consult the doctor on a holoprogram to help her choose a slightly more suitable wardrobe. And possibly gain an explanation of the functions and purpose of imagination.

Fin

Reviews are appreciated!