Disclaimers: See Chapter I.

The Nature of the Beast Chapter VII

by Kerisempai

B'Elanna Torres entered the mess hall with a smile still playing on her lips. This deviation from her normal scowl of late, as well as the new and almost unbelievable scuttlebutt circulating the ship had quite a few of Voyager's crew members whispering at their tables as she passed. Even Nelix gave the half-Klingon a wary glance as he served her breakfast, stuttering a careful "And to you as well," to B'Elanna's cheery morning greeting.

The chief engineer paid little attention to those around her, too busy planning her date with the former Borg. She had already settled on the venue - her quarters, as both holodecks were already booked for the evening. She was contemplating menu options when a tray smacked down on the table directly across from her, and Tom Paris took a seat.

"Well good morning sunshine," the helmsman drawled, face split in an inordinately large grin. "You look rather well rested for someone who was tinkering with Borg technology all night."

In an unconscious imitation of Seven's raised eyebrow met his smug suggestion, but B'Elanna refused to be drawn in.

Harry, who'd taken the seat next to Tom, couldn't believe that B'Elanna hadn't yelled or reached over to throttle the other man. In fact, the small woman was still faintly smiling. That the Doctor's insinuations, and Tom's crazy story about the night before might actually be true began to penetrate Harry's usually quick mind.

Tom shoveled a fork full of eggs into his mouth, determined to get some of the juicy details out of his ex. "So, is Seven operating at peak efficiency this morning, or did she need some extra powering up after all that hard work last night?"

B'Elanna patently ignored Paris and his innuendo-laced questions, and instead turned to Harry, "I'm really sorry I stood you up last night Starfleet. I should have hailed you, or let you know that I wasn't coming," she said.

"That's okay, Maquis," Harry shrugged, belying the fact that his feelings had been hurt. "No big deal." He concentrated especially hard on his tray, as if looking for answers in his breakfast. "Um, B'Elanna… what Tom said, um… about you and, um… well because I just wanted, I mean I wouldn't want to… well, um…"

B'Elanna knew what her friend was trying so hard to say without saying it. Harry's good nature and longstanding crush on a certain former Borg did what a hundred of Tom's probing questions couldn't. The Klingon reached across the table and placed her hand on Harry's, stilling his mumbled speech and forcing him to look up.

"Me and Seven?" B'Elanna said quietly, and at Harry's nod, "Well I don't know what Tom told you," here she paused to sneer at the helmsman, "but I asked her out to diner and she accepted." The little grin was back on the engineer's face.

"That… that's great B'Elanna." Harry tried to muster enthusiasm, but fell a little short. He poked around at the food on his plate, confusion still apparent on his face. "But I thought you hated her?"

"Apparently not," B'Elanna stated sarcastically.

"Not unless hickeys and late night naked engineering projects fall under extreme dislike," Tom couldn't help adding.

This time, both Harry and B'Elanna ignored him.

"Are you okay with me seeing Seven?" the Klingon felt she had to ask. Not that his answer would change her mind on the subject, but B'Elanna needed to know how deep Harry's feelings for the blond still ran.

"It hurts a little," Harry admitted, "but not because it's you. I always knew someone would come along." He took a deep breath. "Seven will never see me as anything more than a friend. I want her to be happy, and I want you to be happy, so yeah, I'm okay. Besides Maquis, you're about the most honorable person I know. I'd rather see her with you than," he looked pointedly at Tom, "just about anyone."

"Oh yeah, B'Elanna's soooo honorable," Tom pouted, "she had the class to lock the cargo bay before fucking Seven up against her alcove."

As soon as the words left Tom's mouth, he knew he'd gone too far. He tried to quickly slide back from the table, out of B'Elanna's reach, but found himself already held in place by the caramel colored fist clenched on the front of his tunic.

"That was your last comment Paris," the smaller woman said in a deadly calm voice. "And to guarantee that you get the picture, and we don't have anymore of these probing questions I'll feed your dirty little mind just this once without penalty of pain." B'Elanna pulled him halfway across the table, so that the sandy haired pilot was mere inches away from her. "Yes, I fucked Seven last night. It was hot and wet, and most definitely the best sex I've had in my life. Watching her come was so mind-blowing… mmm, but you'll never know, because you'll never ask again."

Tom whimpered, and barely noticed when B'Elanna released him. Harry was wide eyed, and two or three shades redder than his normal complexion. "I do hope you boys enjoy your day off. Have a nice breakfast, I have a date to plan." And with that B'Elanna picked up her tray and made her way out of the mess hall.

To Be Continued.