Okay, sorry for taking so long. It's been pretty busy lately. I think I know what's going to happen next chapter, so hopefully it'll come along faster. Don't think there's much else to say, so here's chapter 10.
After a bit more thinking on the subject, Seven found something interesting. It used to be a kind of tradition when you liked someone to argue a lot and act like a rival. A rather silly tradition, she decided, but one nonetheless.
When she applied this to her and the engineer's interaction in the past, she realized that many of the things she did resulted in fighting.
If tradition stayed true, at least in most places, then B'Elanna must truly love her. This made Seven a little bit confused and a little bit nervous, but she proceeded to look up how one acted towards the person they loved.
"Seven of Nine to Lieutenant Torres."
B'Elanna, who was on her way to the beginning of her shift in Engineering, was surprised. Seven had taken so long, she thought that the Borg had decided to forget about what had happened.
"Torres here. What is it, Seven?"
"I have an answer to your question. Please report to cargo bay two."
B'Elanna made her way to the cargo bay to find Seven waiting for her.
"So, Seven?" she asked trying to keep her nervousness from showing. "What did you want to say?"
Seven looked a little uncertain. "I have… thought about what happened earlier, and I have my response."
B'Elanna swallowed nervously. "And?"
"I have found that I… wish to reciprocate these feelings."
B'Elanna felt a wave of relief wash over her, and hugged Seven tightly.
"Thank you, Seven," she murmured. "Would you mind if I kissed you now?"
"Not at all," Seven replied softly, and closed her eyes as she felt the Klingon's lips touch hers.
She let B'Elanna do whatever she wanted as they kissed, partially because she didn't know what to do, not having the experience, partially because she had read that the dominant partner enjoyed that. And B'Elanna was definitely the dominant partner.
B'Elanna thought it was a little odd that Seven, who was so confident normally, was so submissive now. She dismissed it as being Seven's lack of experience in the area.
-
"B'Elanna, are you feeling alright?"
The engineer looked up from the computer console she was looking at to see Lieutenant Nicoletti.
"What do you mean, 'do I feel alright?' I'm fine."
"It's just that you're acting… cheerful today. Did something happen?"
B'Elanna rolled her eyes. "You know something's wrong with your personality when people think something's wrong when you're smiling."
Nicoletti smiled. "I'm glad to hear that you're fine. But… did something happen? Not necessarily bad, you know."
"Nothing that needs to be said right now, Lieutenant."
"Did you kiss someone?"
"That's really none of your business, you know."
"Still. If you kissed somebody and it wasn't Tom, he'll get mad."
B'Elanna frowned. "We broke up. Why would he care?"
"Trust me. He'll care. It's a guy thing."
B'Elanna thought."I'll keep that in mind, Lieutenant. Not get back to work."
"Aye, B'Elanna. See you later."
As the other woman walked away, B'Elanna suddenly felt nervous. What if Tom did mind her being with Seven? She had to go ask him.
Maybe at dinner.
-
B'Elanna entered the mess hall, half-hoping Tom wouldn't be there so she wouldn't have to deal with asking him. Though she wouldn't admit it, she was a little nervous about telling her ex-boyfriend that she was going out with someone else… especially a girl… and especially an ex-Borg who she had hated before.
…This didn't sound good.
However, before she could get away, Tom saw her and waved her over.
"Hey, B'Elanna, how're things going?" he asked. "I haven't seen you much lately."
"I've been a little busy. But, Tom- there was something I needed to talk to you about…"
Tom frowned, not used to seeing B'Elanna nervous. "Is it personal? We can go somewhere else to talk if you want."
"That might be best. Maybe in your quarters?"
Tom nodded, and the two of them headed to his room.
-
"So, B'Elanna, what's got you so uptight?"
"It has to do with Seven…"
Tom nodded. "Yeah, I heard about what's been going on with her. Is that it?"
"Not exactly…" B'Elanna sighed. "Nicoletti was right. This is harder than I thought."
Tom raised an eyebrow. "What does she have to do with anything?"
"She asked me if I was okay because I was happy, and then she guessed what happened, and she said you would be mad at me, and-"
"B'Elanna. Stop." Tom looked concerned now. "Just tell me what happened. You said it had to do with Seven, and you think I'll be mad because of it?"
B'Elanna nodded. "Because I used to love you."
Tom blinked. "Oh… I see. You and Seven?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I am kinda surprised, but… I need to ask you one thing."
"What's that?"
"Does she understand what she's getting into?"
B'Elanna frowned. She hadn't been expecting this question. "I don't know. Why?"
"Because she doesn't think the way we do. Does she understand what a relationship is? Knowing Seven, she might be trying to do something just to prove she can. Also, with the condition she's in, she might not be thinking clearly. Sit her down and talk with her. It might help."
B'Elanna nodded. "Okay. But… why are you helping me? Nicoletti said you'd be jealous."
Tom smiled. "Well, that just goes to show you what she actually knows. Now get going."
B'Elanna smiled as well and turned to go. "Thanks, Tom."
"Anytime."