Part 11/12 "It's Mark is upon us forever"
Author's notes: You can't believe how difficult it was to write this part. It may not be apparent to you why I am doing what I am doing at the moment, but I promise you that after you read part 12 it should all make sense. Enjoy!
***Previously on "It's Mark is upon us forever"***
***And now Part 11***
Harry Kim caught up to Tom Paris in the hallway, slightly out of breath. Tom looked over at him puffing and laughed. "Geez, Harry, if you really need to talk to me you could have just called me on your commbadge and told me to wait up."
Harry looked up and made a face. "I actually didn't think about that."
Tom laughed again. "Ah, the beauty of living on a starship. So," He said, changing the subject. "What is it you want to talk to me about that is so important?"
The Lieutenant waved a PADD at him. "You put me in charge of planning your anniversary party, remember?"
Tom nodded his head. "Yes, the party B'Elanna told me not to have. She said she wanted a quiet celebration, but I know she's lying. Yes, I remember." He grinned slyly.
Harry chuckled and scrolled through the info on his PADD. "Well I was double checking over the guest list, and I wanted to make sure that I have everyone that you want to be there." He held it up so Tom could see. "For instance, do you want Ensign Kaplan to be there?"
Tom groaned and shook his head. "Are you crazy? Ensign Kaplan has had a crush on me ever since I first came on this ship. Then I hooked up with B'Elanna. She's been bitter to me ever since." He watched as Kim made the corrections. "Who else are you wondering about?" He pried.
Harry sighed. "The Doctor and um..Seven. You said that you and the Doc were at odds at the moment so I wasn't quite sure if you wanted him at your party." They came to the messhall doors and he stopped before entering, not wanting the conversation to be overheard by fellow crewmembers.
Tom eyed him for a moment. "Harry," he said. "He's my friend. Just because I'm mad at him doesn't mean I won't invite him to our party. That would just be rude. Especially if you are inviting everyone else, even..." He grabbed Harry's hand and looked at the PADD, "Lieutenant Marley, who I hate by the way." He crossed his arms.
Harry nodded his head. "Okay, I hear you loud and clear." He tapped a few buttons. "So, The Doctor and Seven are on the list, and Marley is off. Are you happy?" He waited for Tom's approval.
Tom smiled and patted him on the back. "Yes I am." He led Harry through the messhall doors. "Now let's get some lunch and discuss the food we'll be serving. I heard Chell say something about Bajoran kajalik soup, but I was thinking something a little more normal..."
***
He felt everyone's eyes on him when he entered the room with his companion at his side. It was clear that the animosity had not dissipated. He started feeling a little uneasy but the soft squeeze from Seven's hand told him that she was nervous as well, but she was prepared to head in full throttle. He sqeezed back, telling her his reply, and they stepped forward arm in arm. Crewmembers parted for them as they walked into the thick of the anniversary party. He looked over at Seven. She looked absolutely breathtaking. She was wearing a slimming purple satin dress. Her neck was adorned with a silver choker, hair pulled back in a braid. The stares the male crewmembers were giving her made her apprehensive, he could tell, because she had her head lifted high and that nervous look in her eye. He smiled at her bravery. He spotted some of the senior staff gathered around the featured couple and moved toward them, listening in on their conversation.
"...And I specifically told him not to. But I have to admit, this is quite a party." B'Elanna grinned as a few chuckles escaped from the group. She turned to her husband. "It's like you can read my mind. Thank you, Tom." She leaned over and kissed a blushing Tom on the cheek.
Tom shrugged. "You're welcome B'E." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. A couple joining the crowd caught his attention. "Hey Doc! How are you doing?" He reached out and shook the Doctor's hand when the couple came close enough.
The Doctor smiled carefully, not quite sure if the resentment between them had solved itself. But Tom's easy-going nature calmed him down a bit. "I'm fine, Tom."
Tom nodded cordially. "Thanks for showing up for the party." He indicated the fare around them. "A great bash, don't you think? You'll have to thank Harry for the wonderful planning."
"Yes, Thank you Harry." The Doctor said in response to Tom's suggestion. "This is really nice."
Harry waved it off. "It was nothing." He said embarassingly.
Tom took a sip of his champagne. "Hello there, Seven." He said when he noticed her standing beside the Doctor in an uncomfortable manner.
She became alert at the mention of her name and stood up a little straighter. She tilted her head toward Tom in recognition. "Lieutenant." Her eyes darted back and forth as she searched her mind for something to say. "Congratulations on your second anniversary. You must be very happy." She attempted a smile.
Tom and B'Elanna gave their thanks. The captain who had been standing on the other side of the circle with Chakotay, quietly taking the conversation in, spoke up. "You look lovely tonight, Seven. It's nice to see you so dressed up. Tell me, where did you find such a beautiful dress like that in the database?" She sloshed her champagne around in her glass.
Seven fidgted for a moment, not happy with the attention she was getting, while she chose her words. "Actually, I didn't choose this dress. The Doctor chose it for me. I believe he has more of an...eye for these sort of things than I do." She reached up to hold on softly to the Doctor's arm. She started to massage it, letting out an audible sigh.
"Oh." Janeway said simply, put off by Seven's behavior.
The Doctor noticed the reaction. Tom, trying to be as unobvious as possible, as always, cleared his throat and scratched his head, staring down at the floor. Kathryn had gone back to drinking her champagne, taking it in one long swig, and excused herself to head off in search of another. B'Elanna, who had been grinding her teeth, told the captain to wait up and followed her to the other side of the room.
Sensing the death of the conversation, the Doctor carefully removed Seven's hand. The few remaining senior staff dispersed into the crowd. The Doctor looked up to see Chakotay in the corner of his eye. He turned his head to get a better view. The commander was standing quietly, observing the scene, quite a different reaction than the others. He could tell the man was thinking, putting things together in his head. Then, when he noticed that the Doctor was watching, nodded and left the scene. The Doctor was confused by the look he saw in Chakotay's eyes. Was that pity I saw there? The Doctor was trying to figure this out, not sure of what just conspired when he felt his arm being tugged.
"Doctor," Seven said impatiently. "I no longer wish to attend this party. I want to go back to our quarters." She pulled on his arm, willing him to start moving. But the Doctor only held his ground, upset by her request.
"We just got here! Why do you want to leave so suddenly?" He spoke to her more quietly. "Look, just because that didn't quite work out doesn't mean we can't enjoy the rest of the party." He took her softly by the shoulders and slowly led her back into the crowd.
Seven shrugged out of his grip and turned back in the direction of the door. "No. I do not wish to enjoy the party. I wish to go back to our quarters." Her voice was raising to a louder level.
The Doctor attempted to calm her down, aware that she was starting to gain attention. He couldn't understand why she so adamantly wanted to leave, but he knew that if he didn't do something about it, she would embarrass herself further by stomping out of the party, which she had done so frequently in years previous. "All right. If it will make you happy, then we will go back to the quarters." He led her slowly over to the door, trying not to let Tom or B'Elanna know that they were leaving their party so early. But he didn't succeed. Just as they were exiting the messhall doors, Tom spotted them and opened his mouth to make a comment to his wife.
When they got to the hallway, Seven started walking at a speedily, causing the Doctor to lose his stride with her and he walked a couple paces behind. "Seven, could you please tell me why you found it imperitive to leave the party after being there for only 5 minutes?" He asked straight to her back.
She cocked her head back, hearing his question, but she continued walking. "I was not enjoying it. Parties are pointless." She took a deep breath when she reached the turbolift. It's doors were already open and she stepped inside, the doors nearing closing on the Doctor as he hurried to get inside with her.
"They may be pointless to you." He said, starting to get irritated. "But they are crucial to social development. You need to bond with your friends. Form stronger relationships."
Seven rolled her eyes, to the annoyance of the Doctor. "I have heard that from you before."
"Well it's just as true now as it was three years ago!" He raised his voice after her as the turbolift opened and she began her fast pace again. He ran to catch up.
"My relationships with them are irrelevant. I have no use for them. They give me no pleasure."
"Pleasure? What..?" He stopped, dumbfounded by her response. He saw her turn the corner and heard the door to their quarters open. He hesitated for a moment, but turned the quarter and walked into the quarters.
He was thrown off-balance by a forceful Seven. She kissed him hungrily, backing him up against the table. A grunt escaped from the Doctor's throat. He took his hands and pushed against her, causing her to break contact. She sighed, irritated that he had stopped her so abruptly. The sudden change of Seven's behavior disturbed him. "Seven, what the hell is going on?" He tried to walk away from her, but she held him in place.
She pressed on him again. "I wish to make love to you Doctor. Let's go to our room." She kissed on the cheek seductively. She pulled on him, then turned to head to the room.
The Doctor didn't follow. He grabbed her wrist and spun her around, confusion and anger clearly written across his face. "No, Seven!" Shocked by his response, she yanked on her arm, trying to free herself from his grip. But he held tight. He saw the way she glared at him. There was something in those eyes that unsettled him. He pulled her closer, speaking directly to her face. "There is something wrong. Tell me what it is."
She was quiet for a moment, regarding him. She considered answering his request, but at the last moment she chose not to. She tried to pull away from him again. "There is nothing wrong."
The Doctor knew it wasn't true. Her hesistance grieved him all the more. "You're lying to me! Don't you trust me?"
She stopped dead in her tracks. "I trust you."
"Then tell me what is wrong!" He let go of her wrist and saw her walk over to the large window. The glow of the stars illuminated her sillouette.
"I have gone through this argument before. I do not wish to go through it again." She shifted her weight and folded her arms behind her back.
"With who? Chakotay?" She glanced back at him, alarmed that he had figured that much out. "I saw him at the party tonight Seven. Something happened to you two. Something he doesn't want to happen to us. There is something wrong. You have changed. Tell me what is going on!" He strode up beside her and looked her full in the eye.
She felt like he was using his eyes to bore into her soul, bearing her secrets. It was an unpleasant sensation. She turned away from him.
The Doctor sensed he was not going to get anywhere with her. She was unshakable in her attempt to keep her problem to herself. It was futile to try to force anything out of her. He sighed and turned around. He slowly made his way to the door, planning on leaving so she could think this out on her own. He reached the door and was about to announce his departure when something happened that he did not expect. She answered him.
"Someone once told me..." She began, staring into the depths of space. "...that indulgences are what made life worth living."
The Doctor stilled, a wave of understanding crashing down on him. Suddenly it all made sense...
*** To be continued...
Author's notes: You can't believe how difficult it was to write this part. It may not be apparent to you why I am doing what I am doing at the moment, but I promise you that after you read part 12 it should all make sense. Enjoy!
***Previously on "It's Mark is upon us forever"***
***And now Part 11***
Harry Kim caught up to Tom Paris in the hallway, slightly out of breath. Tom looked over at him puffing and laughed. "Geez, Harry, if you really need to talk to me you could have just called me on your commbadge and told me to wait up."
Harry looked up and made a face. "I actually didn't think about that."
Tom laughed again. "Ah, the beauty of living on a starship. So," He said, changing the subject. "What is it you want to talk to me about that is so important?"
The Lieutenant waved a PADD at him. "You put me in charge of planning your anniversary party, remember?"
Tom nodded his head. "Yes, the party B'Elanna told me not to have. She said she wanted a quiet celebration, but I know she's lying. Yes, I remember." He grinned slyly.
Harry chuckled and scrolled through the info on his PADD. "Well I was double checking over the guest list, and I wanted to make sure that I have everyone that you want to be there." He held it up so Tom could see. "For instance, do you want Ensign Kaplan to be there?"
Tom groaned and shook his head. "Are you crazy? Ensign Kaplan has had a crush on me ever since I first came on this ship. Then I hooked up with B'Elanna. She's been bitter to me ever since." He watched as Kim made the corrections. "Who else are you wondering about?" He pried.
Harry sighed. "The Doctor and um..Seven. You said that you and the Doc were at odds at the moment so I wasn't quite sure if you wanted him at your party." They came to the messhall doors and he stopped before entering, not wanting the conversation to be overheard by fellow crewmembers.
Tom eyed him for a moment. "Harry," he said. "He's my friend. Just because I'm mad at him doesn't mean I won't invite him to our party. That would just be rude. Especially if you are inviting everyone else, even..." He grabbed Harry's hand and looked at the PADD, "Lieutenant Marley, who I hate by the way." He crossed his arms.
Harry nodded his head. "Okay, I hear you loud and clear." He tapped a few buttons. "So, The Doctor and Seven are on the list, and Marley is off. Are you happy?" He waited for Tom's approval.
Tom smiled and patted him on the back. "Yes I am." He led Harry through the messhall doors. "Now let's get some lunch and discuss the food we'll be serving. I heard Chell say something about Bajoran kajalik soup, but I was thinking something a little more normal..."
***
He felt everyone's eyes on him when he entered the room with his companion at his side. It was clear that the animosity had not dissipated. He started feeling a little uneasy but the soft squeeze from Seven's hand told him that she was nervous as well, but she was prepared to head in full throttle. He sqeezed back, telling her his reply, and they stepped forward arm in arm. Crewmembers parted for them as they walked into the thick of the anniversary party. He looked over at Seven. She looked absolutely breathtaking. She was wearing a slimming purple satin dress. Her neck was adorned with a silver choker, hair pulled back in a braid. The stares the male crewmembers were giving her made her apprehensive, he could tell, because she had her head lifted high and that nervous look in her eye. He smiled at her bravery. He spotted some of the senior staff gathered around the featured couple and moved toward them, listening in on their conversation.
"...And I specifically told him not to. But I have to admit, this is quite a party." B'Elanna grinned as a few chuckles escaped from the group. She turned to her husband. "It's like you can read my mind. Thank you, Tom." She leaned over and kissed a blushing Tom on the cheek.
Tom shrugged. "You're welcome B'E." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. A couple joining the crowd caught his attention. "Hey Doc! How are you doing?" He reached out and shook the Doctor's hand when the couple came close enough.
The Doctor smiled carefully, not quite sure if the resentment between them had solved itself. But Tom's easy-going nature calmed him down a bit. "I'm fine, Tom."
Tom nodded cordially. "Thanks for showing up for the party." He indicated the fare around them. "A great bash, don't you think? You'll have to thank Harry for the wonderful planning."
"Yes, Thank you Harry." The Doctor said in response to Tom's suggestion. "This is really nice."
Harry waved it off. "It was nothing." He said embarassingly.
Tom took a sip of his champagne. "Hello there, Seven." He said when he noticed her standing beside the Doctor in an uncomfortable manner.
She became alert at the mention of her name and stood up a little straighter. She tilted her head toward Tom in recognition. "Lieutenant." Her eyes darted back and forth as she searched her mind for something to say. "Congratulations on your second anniversary. You must be very happy." She attempted a smile.
Tom and B'Elanna gave their thanks. The captain who had been standing on the other side of the circle with Chakotay, quietly taking the conversation in, spoke up. "You look lovely tonight, Seven. It's nice to see you so dressed up. Tell me, where did you find such a beautiful dress like that in the database?" She sloshed her champagne around in her glass.
Seven fidgted for a moment, not happy with the attention she was getting, while she chose her words. "Actually, I didn't choose this dress. The Doctor chose it for me. I believe he has more of an...eye for these sort of things than I do." She reached up to hold on softly to the Doctor's arm. She started to massage it, letting out an audible sigh.
"Oh." Janeway said simply, put off by Seven's behavior.
The Doctor noticed the reaction. Tom, trying to be as unobvious as possible, as always, cleared his throat and scratched his head, staring down at the floor. Kathryn had gone back to drinking her champagne, taking it in one long swig, and excused herself to head off in search of another. B'Elanna, who had been grinding her teeth, told the captain to wait up and followed her to the other side of the room.
Sensing the death of the conversation, the Doctor carefully removed Seven's hand. The few remaining senior staff dispersed into the crowd. The Doctor looked up to see Chakotay in the corner of his eye. He turned his head to get a better view. The commander was standing quietly, observing the scene, quite a different reaction than the others. He could tell the man was thinking, putting things together in his head. Then, when he noticed that the Doctor was watching, nodded and left the scene. The Doctor was confused by the look he saw in Chakotay's eyes. Was that pity I saw there? The Doctor was trying to figure this out, not sure of what just conspired when he felt his arm being tugged.
"Doctor," Seven said impatiently. "I no longer wish to attend this party. I want to go back to our quarters." She pulled on his arm, willing him to start moving. But the Doctor only held his ground, upset by her request.
"We just got here! Why do you want to leave so suddenly?" He spoke to her more quietly. "Look, just because that didn't quite work out doesn't mean we can't enjoy the rest of the party." He took her softly by the shoulders and slowly led her back into the crowd.
Seven shrugged out of his grip and turned back in the direction of the door. "No. I do not wish to enjoy the party. I wish to go back to our quarters." Her voice was raising to a louder level.
The Doctor attempted to calm her down, aware that she was starting to gain attention. He couldn't understand why she so adamantly wanted to leave, but he knew that if he didn't do something about it, she would embarrass herself further by stomping out of the party, which she had done so frequently in years previous. "All right. If it will make you happy, then we will go back to the quarters." He led her slowly over to the door, trying not to let Tom or B'Elanna know that they were leaving their party so early. But he didn't succeed. Just as they were exiting the messhall doors, Tom spotted them and opened his mouth to make a comment to his wife.
When they got to the hallway, Seven started walking at a speedily, causing the Doctor to lose his stride with her and he walked a couple paces behind. "Seven, could you please tell me why you found it imperitive to leave the party after being there for only 5 minutes?" He asked straight to her back.
She cocked her head back, hearing his question, but she continued walking. "I was not enjoying it. Parties are pointless." She took a deep breath when she reached the turbolift. It's doors were already open and she stepped inside, the doors nearing closing on the Doctor as he hurried to get inside with her.
"They may be pointless to you." He said, starting to get irritated. "But they are crucial to social development. You need to bond with your friends. Form stronger relationships."
Seven rolled her eyes, to the annoyance of the Doctor. "I have heard that from you before."
"Well it's just as true now as it was three years ago!" He raised his voice after her as the turbolift opened and she began her fast pace again. He ran to catch up.
"My relationships with them are irrelevant. I have no use for them. They give me no pleasure."
"Pleasure? What..?" He stopped, dumbfounded by her response. He saw her turn the corner and heard the door to their quarters open. He hesitated for a moment, but turned the quarter and walked into the quarters.
He was thrown off-balance by a forceful Seven. She kissed him hungrily, backing him up against the table. A grunt escaped from the Doctor's throat. He took his hands and pushed against her, causing her to break contact. She sighed, irritated that he had stopped her so abruptly. The sudden change of Seven's behavior disturbed him. "Seven, what the hell is going on?" He tried to walk away from her, but she held him in place.
She pressed on him again. "I wish to make love to you Doctor. Let's go to our room." She kissed on the cheek seductively. She pulled on him, then turned to head to the room.
The Doctor didn't follow. He grabbed her wrist and spun her around, confusion and anger clearly written across his face. "No, Seven!" Shocked by his response, she yanked on her arm, trying to free herself from his grip. But he held tight. He saw the way she glared at him. There was something in those eyes that unsettled him. He pulled her closer, speaking directly to her face. "There is something wrong. Tell me what it is."
She was quiet for a moment, regarding him. She considered answering his request, but at the last moment she chose not to. She tried to pull away from him again. "There is nothing wrong."
The Doctor knew it wasn't true. Her hesistance grieved him all the more. "You're lying to me! Don't you trust me?"
She stopped dead in her tracks. "I trust you."
"Then tell me what is wrong!" He let go of her wrist and saw her walk over to the large window. The glow of the stars illuminated her sillouette.
"I have gone through this argument before. I do not wish to go through it again." She shifted her weight and folded her arms behind her back.
"With who? Chakotay?" She glanced back at him, alarmed that he had figured that much out. "I saw him at the party tonight Seven. Something happened to you two. Something he doesn't want to happen to us. There is something wrong. You have changed. Tell me what is going on!" He strode up beside her and looked her full in the eye.
She felt like he was using his eyes to bore into her soul, bearing her secrets. It was an unpleasant sensation. She turned away from him.
The Doctor sensed he was not going to get anywhere with her. She was unshakable in her attempt to keep her problem to herself. It was futile to try to force anything out of her. He sighed and turned around. He slowly made his way to the door, planning on leaving so she could think this out on her own. He reached the door and was about to announce his departure when something happened that he did not expect. She answered him.
"Someone once told me..." She began, staring into the depths of space. "...that indulgences are what made life worth living."
The Doctor stilled, a wave of understanding crashing down on him. Suddenly it all made sense...
*** To be continued...