***(previously on "It's mark is upon us forever")
At the beginning of this whole ordeal, the Doctor would have never imagined
going so far as to kissing her. But somehow it had happened. It was a
surprise, but not an unwelcome one. He gave into the moment and kissed her
deeply, not wanting it to stop.
*** (and now part 5)
"Oh and while I'm gone, do make sure that you finish up those reports on test 34-beta that I conducted yesterday."
"Woah! Doc, how long are you going to be gone? An hour or two?" Tom looked at the long list that the Doctor had given him.
"Well, I really have no idea how long it will take. I do have the holodeck reserved for about 4 hours. And I want to make sure that I keep you busy!"
The Doctor hurried around sickbay, making sure that everything was straight, every once in a while stopping to add something to the already long list that he was putting onto a PADD.
Tom leaned back against a console and watched as the EMH scurried about the room, making more work for him. He decided to change the subject. "So, you really like her, hmm?"
The Doc spun around on his heels, and gave him an equivalent of a why-did- you-ask-that-question look. But after a while he seemed to relax and he set the PADD on a biobed. He loosely folded his arms across his chest. "Well, to be perfectly honest..."
Tom slightly leaned forward, eager to hear the news.
"Yes. She is a very unique young woman. She.." he stopped, suddenly realizing who he was talking to. His cheeks went a shade of red, if that were possible.
"Go on."
"She...acts as if I wasn't a hologram. Like she doesn't care. It's... She is special." The Doc was starting to stare over Tom's shoulder, obviously lost in thought.
Tom cleared his throat to get the Doc's attention and smiled a genuine smile. "I'm glad for ya Doc. It's not easy to find a woman like that. I mean, not even caring that you were a hologram, that's not something that even Seven would do." Tom finished his sentence and began to brace himself, suddenly recognizing that he had made a mistake.
But to his surprise, The Doctor's facial expression didn't seem to give away any signs of grief. In fact, he smirked. "You're right. I guess I hadn't thought about that." He turned around and grabbed a few stray hyposprays and set them on a nearby tray, making sure the sickbay was tidy. He lifted his head and took in a simulated breath, about to say something. "You know, if you hadn't dragged me down to the planet's surface a few days ago, I would be sitting in my office sulking today." He turned back towards Tom. "Thank you."
"Hey, no problem. Just trying to help a friend in need." Tom was actually a little touched. It took a lot for The Doctor to actually say thank you.
While Tom was replying, the EMH grabbed the PADD that he had layed on the biobed. He took it and waggled it in his hand. "In fact, I believe you have done too much for me recently. I think I will save these reports for a later time." He tossed the PADD onto the main console.
Tom, quite relieved, raised up his arms in mock surrender. "Hey I have no problem with that." He chuckled.
The Doctor chuckled as well, in a good mood. "Somehow I knew you wouldn't" He checked the time. "Now if you don't mind, I have a date to keep." He grabbed his portable emitter out of it's case and slapped it on his arm. He nodded his head toward Tom and walked out of sickbay.
"Have fun" Tom said to the closing doors.
***
In the transporter room the air whirred as a transport was being completed. The Doctor stood next to the console, rubbing his hands, although he didn't quite know why. Nervousness? No, I've gotten over that already. Anticipation, excitement? Yes, that must be it. Just wait 'til she sees where I am taking her....
His thought process ended abruptly as she materialised. Imirika stood on the transporter pad, clothed in a satiny-blue. Jewels dripped off her head- dress, and they also adorned a belt tightly adjusted around her waist. To complete the effect her face was powdered in a shimmery silver . In all respects she looked like a queen. But Imirka's expression suggested otherwise. Her mouth grimaced as she lifted one of her sleeves to wipe some of the metallic powder off her face. She spotted the Doctor standing in front of her. "Hello Doctor."
"Hello Imir...."
"In case you were wondering," she interrrupted him, stepping off the pad and acting extremely upset. "Ambassador Prosta found out that I was coming to your ship. He talked with the council and they agreed that I had to represent the culture of our world., 'Not any of this rebelious behavior', as he put it. So
they required me to dress this way or I couldn't go... and I feel... and I feel..." Her voice started cracking. The Doctor stood there, waiting for her to finish her sentence. "...horrible!" She looked down at her outfit in disgust. "I want to change into some simpler clothes , if that is okay with you."
The Doctor took pity on her, although he also thought her reaction was amusing. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that." He smiled at her. "I'm sure that I can replicate a white dress for you."
She looked relieved. "Thank you"
"No problem" He held out his elbow, intending to escort her out. She gratefully wrapped her hand around his arm. "I don't know if this even matters to you.." The Doctor said, wondering if he should finish the sentence.
"What?"
"Well, I think you look beautiful that way."
She smirked. "Anyone looks beautiful when they are covered in pounds of jewels and makeup." She stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek. "But thanks anyway."
He visibly blushed. "Well.." he cleared his throat. "Let's get you in some 'decent' clothes, shall we?"
She giggled as they stepped into the hallway.
***
She tried to see in front of her, but all that came was pitch black. Her feet moved slowly, not quite sure where to step. Normally she would be a little uneasy about this, not knowing where she was going, especially on a starship, but a strong hand held her wrist and was gently guiding her down the pathway. She heard the swish of a door. She spoke in his general direction. "Where are you taking me?" she teased., tugging on the blindfold with her spare hand. "And why are you making me wear this thing?"
"I thought it would be good for the element of surprise." She heard the rustle of his sleeve and the beeping of a few buttons as he tapped some commands into the terminal on the wall. "The whole effect wouldn't be as magical if you saw the hallway, then.. stepped into this." He finished tapping the buttons and she heard a woosh go about the room.
"Stepped into what?"
"Have you read about our holodecks?"
"Yes. Yes I have. They sound amazing. Why? Is that where we are now?" She started bouncing on her toes, all of a sudden getting excited.
He chuckled. "Yes.." He grabbed her hand and led her forward. His steps were clicking on a hard floor, and the sound echoed against the walls of wherever they were. "Ooh.. Where have you taken me?" She asked again.
They stopped and she felt his hand on her shoulders and they gently turned her about to face something she couldn't see yet. He reached up to the tie at the back of her blindfold. "Are you ready to see this?"
She nodded furiously, tugging the fabric out of his hand. "Yes"
He undid the knot on the back of her blindfold and pulled it off quickly. She blinked and the pupils in her purple irises shrunk very small, growing accustomed to the bright light. She glanced around her. She was standing in the middle of a very large room, with the walls decorated in ornate moulding and painted in a rich gold color. That in itself was odd to her. But when she noticed what was on the walls her jaws dropped open and she covered her mouth to suppress a delighted shriek. Dozens upon dozens of framed paintings covered every single wall. Her eyes darted back and forth and she turned in a slow circle, trying to take every one of the paintings in at once. She took her hands off her mouth as she faced the Doctor. "Where...where..where?" She squeaked. He beamed at her as she swallowed and tried to continue. "This is beautiful!" She said. "Where are we?"
He took one of her hands and used his other to wave at the paintings on the wall. "Mademoiselle Imirika..." He said quite formally, "I give you the Louvre"
"This is the Louvre!" she whispered. She took it all in again. Her eyes were wide as she settled on a gigantic oil painting in front of her. It showed royalty, gathered together, celebrating the coronation of a ruler. The colors, the beauty, it all started to get to her. Tears were streaming down her eyes.
The Doctor noticed which one she was looking at. "That is 'The coronation of Emperor Napoleon' by David." He said.
She didn't exactly hear him because at this point she spun around and grasped him about the neck and lay her head on his shoulder. She was crying openly. "This is wonderful!" she cried.
The Doctor brought his arms around to embrace her. He smiled down at her head. "I thought you would like it"
She lifted her head up to look at him. "I love it. Thank you" She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.
As she broke the kiss he grinned. "You're quite welcome, Imirika." She smiled back. He broke his gaze with her and he swept his eyes across the room. "So, what would you like to see? In the next room I believe there is the Mona Lisa, which is supposed to be the most famous piece to come out of the Rennaisance period. Also, there are some great showcases on Arabic art, art from the Boroque period, statuary throughout the eras, a court...."
She interrupted him. "I would love to see the statues."
"Oh." He said, offering his elbow again. "I guess I should have exepected that." She took his arm and he led her off in the direction of the the statues.
"What other places can we see on this holodeck?" She asked.
"Almost anything our minds can conjure up. Tropical beaches, city sidewalks at night, mountains covered in snow."
"What is snow?"
He paused in his walk. "That's right. You don't have changing weather like Earth, do you?"
She looked at him inquiringly with a tilted head. "The weather changes?"
He laughed lightly. "Well then, I believe the next time I take you on the holodecks we shall try a Swiss chalet."
Not quite knowing what he was talking about, she replied "I shall like that very much." She continued walking alongside him, wondering what in the name of Chatrana a Swiss chalet might be. She decided she was going to ask him what it was when they turned the corner into a long hallway full of sculptures. She took one look and the question that was lingering on her mind was completely forgotten. "I have never seen so many statues in my entire life..."
***To be continued...
"Oh and while I'm gone, do make sure that you finish up those reports on test 34-beta that I conducted yesterday."
"Woah! Doc, how long are you going to be gone? An hour or two?" Tom looked at the long list that the Doctor had given him.
"Well, I really have no idea how long it will take. I do have the holodeck reserved for about 4 hours. And I want to make sure that I keep you busy!"
The Doctor hurried around sickbay, making sure that everything was straight, every once in a while stopping to add something to the already long list that he was putting onto a PADD.
Tom leaned back against a console and watched as the EMH scurried about the room, making more work for him. He decided to change the subject. "So, you really like her, hmm?"
The Doc spun around on his heels, and gave him an equivalent of a why-did- you-ask-that-question look. But after a while he seemed to relax and he set the PADD on a biobed. He loosely folded his arms across his chest. "Well, to be perfectly honest..."
Tom slightly leaned forward, eager to hear the news.
"Yes. She is a very unique young woman. She.." he stopped, suddenly realizing who he was talking to. His cheeks went a shade of red, if that were possible.
"Go on."
"She...acts as if I wasn't a hologram. Like she doesn't care. It's... She is special." The Doc was starting to stare over Tom's shoulder, obviously lost in thought.
Tom cleared his throat to get the Doc's attention and smiled a genuine smile. "I'm glad for ya Doc. It's not easy to find a woman like that. I mean, not even caring that you were a hologram, that's not something that even Seven would do." Tom finished his sentence and began to brace himself, suddenly recognizing that he had made a mistake.
But to his surprise, The Doctor's facial expression didn't seem to give away any signs of grief. In fact, he smirked. "You're right. I guess I hadn't thought about that." He turned around and grabbed a few stray hyposprays and set them on a nearby tray, making sure the sickbay was tidy. He lifted his head and took in a simulated breath, about to say something. "You know, if you hadn't dragged me down to the planet's surface a few days ago, I would be sitting in my office sulking today." He turned back towards Tom. "Thank you."
"Hey, no problem. Just trying to help a friend in need." Tom was actually a little touched. It took a lot for The Doctor to actually say thank you.
While Tom was replying, the EMH grabbed the PADD that he had layed on the biobed. He took it and waggled it in his hand. "In fact, I believe you have done too much for me recently. I think I will save these reports for a later time." He tossed the PADD onto the main console.
Tom, quite relieved, raised up his arms in mock surrender. "Hey I have no problem with that." He chuckled.
The Doctor chuckled as well, in a good mood. "Somehow I knew you wouldn't" He checked the time. "Now if you don't mind, I have a date to keep." He grabbed his portable emitter out of it's case and slapped it on his arm. He nodded his head toward Tom and walked out of sickbay.
"Have fun" Tom said to the closing doors.
***
In the transporter room the air whirred as a transport was being completed. The Doctor stood next to the console, rubbing his hands, although he didn't quite know why. Nervousness? No, I've gotten over that already. Anticipation, excitement? Yes, that must be it. Just wait 'til she sees where I am taking her....
His thought process ended abruptly as she materialised. Imirika stood on the transporter pad, clothed in a satiny-blue. Jewels dripped off her head- dress, and they also adorned a belt tightly adjusted around her waist. To complete the effect her face was powdered in a shimmery silver . In all respects she looked like a queen. But Imirka's expression suggested otherwise. Her mouth grimaced as she lifted one of her sleeves to wipe some of the metallic powder off her face. She spotted the Doctor standing in front of her. "Hello Doctor."
"Hello Imir...."
"In case you were wondering," she interrrupted him, stepping off the pad and acting extremely upset. "Ambassador Prosta found out that I was coming to your ship. He talked with the council and they agreed that I had to represent the culture of our world., 'Not any of this rebelious behavior', as he put it. So
they required me to dress this way or I couldn't go... and I feel... and I feel..." Her voice started cracking. The Doctor stood there, waiting for her to finish her sentence. "...horrible!" She looked down at her outfit in disgust. "I want to change into some simpler clothes , if that is okay with you."
The Doctor took pity on her, although he also thought her reaction was amusing. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that." He smiled at her. "I'm sure that I can replicate a white dress for you."
She looked relieved. "Thank you"
"No problem" He held out his elbow, intending to escort her out. She gratefully wrapped her hand around his arm. "I don't know if this even matters to you.." The Doctor said, wondering if he should finish the sentence.
"What?"
"Well, I think you look beautiful that way."
She smirked. "Anyone looks beautiful when they are covered in pounds of jewels and makeup." She stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek. "But thanks anyway."
He visibly blushed. "Well.." he cleared his throat. "Let's get you in some 'decent' clothes, shall we?"
She giggled as they stepped into the hallway.
***
She tried to see in front of her, but all that came was pitch black. Her feet moved slowly, not quite sure where to step. Normally she would be a little uneasy about this, not knowing where she was going, especially on a starship, but a strong hand held her wrist and was gently guiding her down the pathway. She heard the swish of a door. She spoke in his general direction. "Where are you taking me?" she teased., tugging on the blindfold with her spare hand. "And why are you making me wear this thing?"
"I thought it would be good for the element of surprise." She heard the rustle of his sleeve and the beeping of a few buttons as he tapped some commands into the terminal on the wall. "The whole effect wouldn't be as magical if you saw the hallway, then.. stepped into this." He finished tapping the buttons and she heard a woosh go about the room.
"Stepped into what?"
"Have you read about our holodecks?"
"Yes. Yes I have. They sound amazing. Why? Is that where we are now?" She started bouncing on her toes, all of a sudden getting excited.
He chuckled. "Yes.." He grabbed her hand and led her forward. His steps were clicking on a hard floor, and the sound echoed against the walls of wherever they were. "Ooh.. Where have you taken me?" She asked again.
They stopped and she felt his hand on her shoulders and they gently turned her about to face something she couldn't see yet. He reached up to the tie at the back of her blindfold. "Are you ready to see this?"
She nodded furiously, tugging the fabric out of his hand. "Yes"
He undid the knot on the back of her blindfold and pulled it off quickly. She blinked and the pupils in her purple irises shrunk very small, growing accustomed to the bright light. She glanced around her. She was standing in the middle of a very large room, with the walls decorated in ornate moulding and painted in a rich gold color. That in itself was odd to her. But when she noticed what was on the walls her jaws dropped open and she covered her mouth to suppress a delighted shriek. Dozens upon dozens of framed paintings covered every single wall. Her eyes darted back and forth and she turned in a slow circle, trying to take every one of the paintings in at once. She took her hands off her mouth as she faced the Doctor. "Where...where..where?" She squeaked. He beamed at her as she swallowed and tried to continue. "This is beautiful!" She said. "Where are we?"
He took one of her hands and used his other to wave at the paintings on the wall. "Mademoiselle Imirika..." He said quite formally, "I give you the Louvre"
"This is the Louvre!" she whispered. She took it all in again. Her eyes were wide as she settled on a gigantic oil painting in front of her. It showed royalty, gathered together, celebrating the coronation of a ruler. The colors, the beauty, it all started to get to her. Tears were streaming down her eyes.
The Doctor noticed which one she was looking at. "That is 'The coronation of Emperor Napoleon' by David." He said.
She didn't exactly hear him because at this point she spun around and grasped him about the neck and lay her head on his shoulder. She was crying openly. "This is wonderful!" she cried.
The Doctor brought his arms around to embrace her. He smiled down at her head. "I thought you would like it"
She lifted her head up to look at him. "I love it. Thank you" She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.
As she broke the kiss he grinned. "You're quite welcome, Imirika." She smiled back. He broke his gaze with her and he swept his eyes across the room. "So, what would you like to see? In the next room I believe there is the Mona Lisa, which is supposed to be the most famous piece to come out of the Rennaisance period. Also, there are some great showcases on Arabic art, art from the Boroque period, statuary throughout the eras, a court...."
She interrupted him. "I would love to see the statues."
"Oh." He said, offering his elbow again. "I guess I should have exepected that." She took his arm and he led her off in the direction of the the statues.
"What other places can we see on this holodeck?" She asked.
"Almost anything our minds can conjure up. Tropical beaches, city sidewalks at night, mountains covered in snow."
"What is snow?"
He paused in his walk. "That's right. You don't have changing weather like Earth, do you?"
She looked at him inquiringly with a tilted head. "The weather changes?"
He laughed lightly. "Well then, I believe the next time I take you on the holodecks we shall try a Swiss chalet."
Not quite knowing what he was talking about, she replied "I shall like that very much." She continued walking alongside him, wondering what in the name of Chatrana a Swiss chalet might be. She decided she was going to ask him what it was when they turned the corner into a long hallway full of sculptures. She took one look and the question that was lingering on her mind was completely forgotten. "I have never seen so many statues in my entire life..."
***To be continued...