"Hey Doc, I am so sorry" Tom blurted out when he entered sick bay the next morning. "I didn't know you had that much trouble with the food poisoning. I'm sorry that I couldn't be of any help yesterday."
"It's okay Mister Paris" the Doctor answered "you were vomiting all over sick bay, I remember that vividly. I think that does render a Doctor's note redundant."
"Thank you so much. I hope you were able to manage sickbay without me."
"Oh, please don't overestimate your importance. I am perfectly able of running sickbay alone, just together with Irina. I am a hologram, as you might remember. I don't get exhausted."
"Good. Nice to hear that."
Tom stood there for a moment, watching the Doctor scan the hyposprays on the tray.
"By the way, Doc." He began "How are you feeling?"
"My program is functioning within normal parameters."
"That's not what I mean. I mean how are you feeling?"
The Doctor stopped his work and leaned on one of the biobeds.
"I don't know." He sighed "Sometimes I think I am almost back to my normal self again but at other times I have the feeling I will never be able to get over it."
"I think this is normal, your mind needs some time to process what happened. However, Irina told me that you two were spending a lot of time together. So at least you're not hiding in sickbay any more?"
"I wasn't hiding. I was just not in the mood for much social interaction. And to be perfectly honest, I still am."
"But being with Irina is fine?"
The Doctor looked puzzled.
"Why are you asking? It's Irina. She's my friend and I trust her. Spending time with her is completely different than attending a party with a dozen people."
"Oh, I see. You know, Doc, B'Elanna once told me there's an old Klingon proverb. If you keep gazing at the stars you might miss the treasure right in front of you."
With these words he strolled off and left the Doctor alone to his thoughts.
"Doc?" Irina asked him as they were just finishing their work at sick bay "Are you coming to the Luau tonight?"
"I don't think so. I am still not so much in the mood for parties."
Irina sighed.
"I promise, Seven won't attend"
The Doctor rolled his eyes.
"That's not what I meant."
"So then why aren't you going? Having a little fun will surely make you feel better."
"Oh I don't know. Maybe because I don't want to see happy couples chatting and flirting while I am alone there."
"Then go with me."
"With you?"
"Yes, why not? Then you won't be alone."
"Are you just asking me for a date?" the Doctor was surprised.
"If that's what you want to call it – yes. There's no rule that says you can't bring a good friend to a Luau."
"That's very nice of you but I don't think I want to be there. I'll rather stay here and start with my weekly report."
"If you're not going, I'm not going either." Irina told him resolutely.
"But you will miss all the fun! The Luau is only once a year and I am sure B'Elanna and Tom will be worried about you."
"Well, it's your decision." Irina said with her eyebrows raised.
"You know that this is attempted blackmail, don't you?"
"I don't care as long as it works." She smirked. "So what do you say: Do we have a date?"
"Yes, we have a date." The Doctor murmured grumpily.
"So then see you on the holodeck at 2100 hours. And don't be late!" Irina chirped and left.
Irina needed almost an hour to decide for an outfit. It was her first date with the Doctor, after all. And although it was not a real date it almost felt like that. Which meant that she was nervous. Very nervous.
Way too early she made her way to the holodeck, having finally decided on a light pink dress with a flower motif and a little bit of cleavage – but not too much cleavage. Of course she was still no match for Seven of Nine in her bodysuit but at least it was something.
The holodeck was already buzzing with people laughing, chatting and drinking. There was Hawaiian music playing and Neelix was handing out flower garlands to all the guests. Irina stayed near the entrance and waited for her friend to arrive. Then she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Hey Irina" Tom greeted her. He was joined by B'Elanna and they were wearing a matching green shirt and dress with a horrible flamingo motif. "Why are you standing around here? Don't you want to join the fun?"
"Oh yes I will. But first I will have to wait for my date." She replied with a wink.
"Your date? You mean the Doctor?"
Irina nodded.
"Wow, congratulations. Not only did you make him join the Luau, but he's also your date. If that's not some serious progress then I don't know what is."
"Oh don't congratulate me so early. We're just here as friends."
Tom chuckled.
"Come on, you know how he is. He falls for every woman who gives him more than five minutes of her attention."
In that very moment the Doctor materialized next to them.
"Oh, hello Tom, hello B'Elanna! Did I interrupt you?"
"No, not at all." Tom answered "In fact, we were waiting for you."
"How very nice of you. Shall we?" the Doctor asked Irina and offered her his arm.
"I'd love to" she answered and smiled, as she willingly took his arm and they entered the front porch of the Hawaiian building.