Two Voyager Pairings That Should Have Been and One That Was
Author's Note: Basically my attempt at telling the writers how it should have been done. My own opinion. Sorry to those who don't get these two, but I thought they'd be really cute together! Forgot the name of that disease that made Neelix a bit of a hypochondriac so I made it up. You can tell the song I was listening to! Forgot disclaimer last time, "Star Trek: Voyager belongs to Paramount, not me, otherwise these parings would have been".
Seven-of-Nine (aka Annika Hansen) and the Emergency Medical Hologram (aka Joe!)
"Mr. Neelix," sighed Voyager's EMH, thoroughly exasperated, a frequent emotion for him on this ship.
"No, Doctor. I just know it. I have the Fever. I've got all the symptoms. And what if I pass it on in my terra nut soufflé? No, I think I'm much better off here where I can't do any harm. How serious is it, again?" the Talaxian babbled. Much as many of the crew loved Neelix for his good humour and cooking skills, he did become a bit wearing, especially at flu season, when he became convinced he had Bolien Fever. Even now he was still spouting. Something about who would read Naomi Wildman's bedtime stories for her if it turned fatal.
"Don't worry, my persistent patient" said the EMH, "I will treat you". He pressed a hypospray onto his dappled neck.
"Oh, thank you, Doctor! I feel better already. We can always count on you!" then he was off. The EMH shook his head when the door bleeped again, halfway through an analysis of some tissue cultures. Honestly, how was a Chief Medical Officer supposed to get anything done? "Come in" he said with resignation.
"I have arrived for my next social lesson, Doctor" said a clipped female voice. Seven.
"I see you have arrived early" he observed.
"My research has informed me that meeting times for social activities should be given some flexibility. Is this a bad time?" she said.
"Of course not" he smiled. After all, he always had time for Seven-of-Nine.
As he ran through the lesson, this time "Formal Occasions" and began to teach her the waltz to Nat King Cole's L.O.V.E., gliding across sickbay, he couldn't help wondering, even wishing, that they were dancing for real. But what could a hologram offer a beautiful, intelligent young woman like her? It was at times like this he almost wished he was organic. Almost. Then, Seven's communicator bleeped. The EMH had a strange desire to punch whoever had cut the lesson short, which turned out to be the Captain. Very un-Doctorlike and insubordinate, not to mention unusual for him.
"It appears I'm needed in the astrometrics lab. The Captain wishes me to scan an anomalous nebula for any potential threats." The EMH found himself wondering why Ensign Kim couldn't do that from the bridge. "Goodnight, Doctor" said Seven, cordially.
"Goodnight, Seven" the EMH returned, briskly but with a smile "Don't forget, your learning "How to Diffuse an Argument" next week."
"I'll look forward to it" she said with the slightest smile. And it made the CMO's holographic heart swell to know she meant it.