They arrived at the holodeck and entered. "Okay, Seven. Let's see. The Physical fun would be something like a nature expedition, say a hike, rock climb, skiing, Or even more simple, like walking on a beach or dancing. something like that. Mental fun is something like a puzzle or anomaly. Something mentally challenging. And emotional fun, well, that's more of a...personal opinion about what is emotionally fun for someone."
"I do not understand that one. Explain."
"Well, see, like Tom Paris for example. Before he was with B'Elanna, he liked to meet women on the holodeck and play around with his emotions."
"His emotions are what he played around with? I thought it was the women he played around with?"
"It's.....complicated, Seven..."
"Perhaps if you gave me an example of what you found emotionally fun."
The Doctor looked away nervously. What was he supposed to say? I just love to dance with you on the holodeck. It's very emotionally stimulating. Oh by the way, I'm in love with you! AHH what do I say?
"I don't." He gasped out at the last second. Well that was stupid.
"You don't what? Engage in emotional fun, or have any examples to share?"
She was standing there so innocent. Just a simple question. All she wanted was the truth, but that would be to devastating to say. "I don't have any good examples that would help your case." There, that was good. Straightforward and gets me off the hook.
"I understand. Well Doctor, I am having difficulty choosing. You may choose."
Oh just great. What am I going to choose? I don't think she'd be up for dancing on a bay with only the earth's moon as light.
"This is your choice, Seven. What I choose would only be something fun in my opinion."
She stood there with no action or sound, staring down the Doctor's holographic eyes.
"Well... Maybe you'd like to go for a walk. Learn more about Earth's geology. How about... a shore. An uninhabited bay with a huge ocean to see and on the opposite side, a vast forest full of green plant life filling the empty spaces between the tall trees. This is nice... Maybe she'd say yes to this.
"Acceptable." She said flat out.
The Doctor smiled. "Computer, put us on a bay, next to a stunning ocean on a plant life filled island lighted by the Earth's bright moon and no clouds." Maybe I'm getting a little carried away.
The electronic walls transformed into the paradise the Doctor described. The Doctor looked around pleased. Seven looked around, not as pleased, but more pleased than she would be if she saw a Ferengi night club.
"Shall we take a walk?" The Doctor said.
"Yes." Seven added.
They both walked in silence for a few minutes. Seven facing the ocean and the Doctor looking down at his feet as he took each step.
"You know," The Doctor said convincingly, "Most people who walk on the shore do it barefoot. They say it's more pleasurable. Makes you feel more comfortable and connected with the landscape."
"I see." She said with no further addition.
"So....would you like to try that?"
They stop walking.
"I don't believe it would add much to this simulation."
The Doctor turned to her grabbing her by the shoulders. "C'mon Seven. You're here to have fun, right? Now just try this." He said in a slight aggressive tone.
Seven looked around and then back at the Doctor. "I will comply." She said.
The Doctor smiled and stood back and watched her almost struggle to take her foot-tight shoes off. She put them to the side and moved her toes around.
"This is a most...interesting sensation."
The Doctor moved to her side again and took a step to indicate they were to walk again.
"I told you." He said with a smirk. "Let's get a bit closer to the water so you can feel it."
They move closer. The water is startling to her at first and she hesitates to take another step. She looks at the Doctor whom looked as though he was sure it was ok. She continued to walk and realized it was sensational. The lighting was calm and easy on the eyes, the temperature was cool but not too uncomfortable, and it was fresh. Not like she'd ever admit how nice it was, but she had to say something, out of kindness.
"I admit Doctor, I was skeptical at first, but this has proved to be...fun." She said with a slight emphasis to the word 'fun.'
He smiled. "I told you Seven. I'm glad you're enjoying i--" "Ahh" Seven gasped not too loudly and stepped back with her foot in the air. He saw a rock where she had stepped and her lifted foot was dripping red.
"Seven, are you alright?" The Doctor asked in panic.
"My foot is cut. The holodeck safety precaution is off."
"I didn't think this would do any harm!"
"It is fine." She attempts to take another step but after applying her body weight, she limps to her other foot. "I am damaged."
He looked at her foot and felt bad. Even though it was just a cut, it was his fault. He took a big sigh and put her arm around himself to help her walk.
They limped to sickbay. If the whole crew weren't down at that planet, they would have gotten some teasing on the way. It was a good thing it was just them to so the Doctor could embarrass himself with only Seven being the witness.
They arrived and he helped her take a seat on the biobed. He rushed and grabbed an epidermal regenerator and the open skin cleared to a soft, flawless foot.
"Seven, I am so, so sorry."
"It is not your fault, Doctor. Me getting hurt was clearly not your intention."
"I'm glad you understand, Seven. Maybe we can try again sometime." He said with a bit of a question forming at the end of the sentence.
Seven replied after a pause, "Perhaps."
She stood and walked to the doors. "I require regeneration now. Good night Doctor." She said then turned and left the room.
Great goin, Doc. He said to himself.
He set the tool down at the improper place and didn't care. He walked slowly to his desk and sat, staring off wishing things could have gone differently.
Hours passed. He hesitated to turn himself off because he'd feel exactly the same way when he was to be turned on again. Maybe if I just sit here and feel like this all night, it would be all worn out and go away.
He rested his head on his hand leaning on the desk. Suddenly his head shot up as he remembered: Her shoes! They're still on the holodeck!
He jumped up and walked quickly out the doors to find the princesses glass slippers.
To be continued...