Oh, Torres, Torres, chided Tom Paris genially. Where is your mind tonight?

What? B'Elanna shook her head, then stared at the cards laid out on the engineering console in her office. Tom smugly settled the seven of clubs alongside her run of the seven of spades, hearts, and diamonds, then promptly discarded his last card, winning the final hand of their present game of rummy.

Gotcha! Tom laughed and rubbed his palms together. So, what do you say to another game, eh? You up for that, Harry?

Harry Kim reluctantly handed his remaining cards over to Tom, who gathered the cards together and shuffled them like a gambling pro. Sure. I love being slaughtered over and over again, Kim said sarcastically, but he waited while Tom showed off his hidden talents. Amazed, Harry continued, Are you sure you haven't worked at one of the Alpha Quadrant's gambling resorts, Tom? You're just too good with a deck of cards.

Tom shook his head. Of course not, Harry. I've told you that before. My knack for cards is just that - a knack. He glanced up to see his friend's dubious stare. Now would I lie to you?

Harry's eyebrow went up threateningly. Do you really want me to answer that?

Tom had the decency to look chagrined. Apparently Harry still hadn't quite forgiven him for his latest proposed shortcut while en route to the Bridge. He thought it best to change the subject. So, what's on your mind tonight, B'Elanna? I haven't seen you play this bad since we taught you the game.

Yeah, Harry chimed in, thoughts of Tom's truthfulness forgotten. I can't believe you let him get that card. You could have won.

B'Elanna lowered her head until her forehead was resting on the palms of her hands. For a moment she just sat like that in agonized silence, then she pounded her palms into her forehead. Argh! she grunted.

Tom and Harry looked at each other, both men distressed at her sudden strange behavior. Harry reached out to grab one of Torres' hands before she had the chance to do damage to herself. It's just a game, B'Elanna!

That's not it! she muttered through clenched teeth.

Well, whatever it is, it can't be that bad, he insisted.

Torres ran a free hand through her thick black hair, and laughed harshly. It's worse, Harry, trust me.

The Klingon's calm unsettled Tom more than her rages ever did. But he was never one to back down from a confrontation. Care to enlighten us? he asked lightly, hiding his concerns. He laid the cards aside and leaned his elbow on the console to show that he was listening. Come on, let's have it - we'll let you know how bad it is.

Torres paused in her agony to scrutinize first Kim, then Paris, until they both felt like a lab experiment gone wrong. Okay, she acquiesced at last. But you have to promise not to breath a single word to anybody. Got that? Anybody!

Or what? Tom asked nervously.

Torres leaned forward to stare him in the eye. I'll rip your lungs out your feet, she promised.

Harry's brows rose and he shook his head ingratiatingly. That convinces me. You have my promise.

Tom could only nod, as his tongue was frozen by the vibrant image that B'Elanna's words evoked in his brain.

B'Elanna leaned back, relaxing once again. All right. She paused to collect her thoughts, her fingernails cutting tense marks into her palms. It was yesterday. We were running those photon torpedo tests -

I remember, Kim piped up. You couldn't quite get the right levels of borite atoms to -

I was there, Harry. I know what happened, Torres interrupted impatiently.

Kim blinked. Oh, right. Sorry. Just trying to help.

Well don't, she said bluntly, then continued. Anyway, Lieutenant Hargrove was also there, doing something with the communications array.

Tom interrupted this time. Yeah, wasn't he on your team, Harry?

Kim nodded. He's great with comm. problems. I always request him when we have to deal with the array. He turned to Torres. Did you have some trouble with him?

B'Elanna stood up and glared at the two men, her fists balled on her hips. Are you two finished with your chit chat so I can get on with my story? Hargrove was there, that's what's important. She turned a quick circle, then abruptly fell into her chair again.

Tom nodded helpfully. Hargrove was there. Gotcha.

He talked to me, Torres accused.

There was a brief pause as Tom and Harry digested this information.

Unable to uncover B'Elanna's dilemma from her words, Harry hazarded to say, So? Talking's not a crime.

B'Elanna slapped her knee in irritation. It's not that he talked to me, Harry. It's what he said.

So what did he say? Tom asked impatiently.

Torres took a deep breath, screwing up her courage to blurt out, He asked me to go with him to Harry's concert next week.

Another moment of silence passed, then Tom burst out laughing. Is that all? he gasped. The way you're carrying on, you'd think he'd threatened to murder you!

Or at least offer you food from the mess hall, Harry added as he fought a loosing battle against his own laughter.

Tom slapped Harry's shoulder. Oh boy, did you get a load of that stuff we had for dinner? What was that, anyway? He shook his head weakly, still laughing. I can't wait for Neelix to get off his vacation so we can have something decent to eat!

Harry grinned and slapped Tom back. I can't believe I just heard you say that!

I can't believe I said it either, but it's the truth!

Hey! Torres cut into their mirth with a terse yell. Cut it out! This has nothing to do with food!

Harry sobered right away, and Tom at least made a visible effort to control his laughter. Paris choked, You're right. It's not funny at all. I mean, Lieutenant Hargrove can be a killer conversationalist. More laughter spluttered from his lips before he could stop it.

Torres threw up her hands. That's it. I knew I shouldn't have told you. You have the sensibilities of a rat, Tom Paris! She stood up to leave them to their hilarity.

Wait. Harry stopped her with a hand on her arm. I'm not laughing, and neither is Tom. He kicked Tom in the knee. The laughter stopped immediately. Now sit down, B'Elanna, and tell us what's wrong.

Torres sullenly sat. She pushed her hair out of her eyes, then took another calming breath. Well, I guess that's it. He asked me out.

To my concert, Harry added.

Yes.

Tom shook his head. He has good taste in chosen activities, you have to admit that, he said, and eyed Harry cheerfully. The ensign rolled his eyes, unimpressed. Tom sighed, and returned his attention to Lieutenant Torres' problem. But I don't get it, Torres. What's so bad about that?

B'Elanna suddenly buried her head in her arms. This is terrible! This is worse than the Kazon and the Vidiians and the recycling and the Delta Quadrant all put together!

Tom glanced at Harry, who just shrugged helplessly. Tom awkwardly patted Torres on the back. He felt funny giving such a sympathetic gesture to the half Klingon. Torres usually scorned such emotions. But now she hardly seemed to notice. Why don't you tell us exactly what he said, he suggested.

The muffled words floated up through B'Elanna's arms, He said, 'Lieutenant, you going to Kim's concert on Wednesday?' It came so suddenly that all I could do was stare at him and look like a complete idiot. Then he said, 'You wanna go with me?' And that's when the borite test failed again. I told him I'd have to talk to him later. Finished, she lifted her head and self-consciously shook her hair back.

That's it? Harry asked.

She nodded. That's it.

I don't see what's so awful about that, Tom stated.

But he asked me out! B'Elanna said, horrified.

So? Tom held up a finger to stop the angry outburst he could see brewing behind her eyes. Wait. Let me get something straight - don't you date?

Torres stared at him in disbelief. Tom, I can't date anybody!

This time it was Harry who laughed. Why not?

Because... because.... A whirl of thoughts bombarded B'Elanna's mind - her position in the crew, her secretly harbored feelings for certain members of that crew, her belief that a human would prove an unacceptable companion to a person of such a volatile species combination - but she spoke of none of these things. Instead she ground her teeth in a decidedly Klingon fashion and groaned. I just can't! I don't want to date anybody!

Did you tell him that?

Naturally it was Harry the peacemaker whose question cut through the turmoil about to erupt in the seething Torres. Her emotions once more surprised into calmness, she admitted, No, I haven't had a chance yet.

Well, do it, Harry ordered. There's nothing more demeaning to a man than to leave him hanging.

Wondering what you're thinking, if you like him, if you don't, what's going to happen - it's terrible, Tom assured her. You think you've got it bad. How do you think he feels? I mean, Hargrove isn't exactly the most daring of men on this ship.

B'Elanna shrugged. I hadn't thought of that. He is sort of - shy, isn't he?

Shy? Harry snorted. He may be a good storyteller, but shy is an understatement. I think he's so good with communications equipment because he's so bad at actually communicating himself.

So the question is, continued Tom, how to tell him. You're sure you don't want to go with him to the concert?

No! Torres said emphatically. Not with Hargrove. Not with anybody.

I know. Just skip the concert, Harry suggested, then he grimaced. It may not be that good anyway. I haven't given a concert since I entered the Academy.

Shut up, Harry, Torres said in fond impatience. I wouldn't miss your debut concert for anything. But if I say no to Hargrove, then I can't go at all. He'll feel bad if he sees me sitting there. I'll feel bad if I see him sitting there. We'll both be miserable.

Harry sighed at that argument. I'd ask you to go with me - after all, I'm a pretty safe date, what with already having a girlfriend and all - but it's my concert. It would be pretty awkward trying to pay attention to you and play at the same time. I might miss one of my trills.

And we wouldn't want that, she teased.

Tom shrugged. Why not come with me?

With you? Torres sounded as horrified with that proposition as she did with her current date dilemma.

Why not? Tom asked, hurt by her tone of voice. I've been known as a good date to some of the lucky women on the ship....

What women? I'm not sure they'd consider themselves so lucky, she retorted. And what's wrong, Tom? Don't you already have a date? Is the Voyager Casanova loosing his special zing?

Tom actually blushed, but rather than give a report on his recent slip in conquests, he said, Okay, if you must know, I'm going with Kes and Neelix. You could just join the crowd. You don't have to have a date at all. Nothing could be safer than that.

Harry concurred. You could tell Hargrove you already have plans to go with friends. He can't be too hurt by that.

Torres crossed her arms as she considered this possibility. It might work, and it would certainly solve her problem. She didn't have any aversions to attending the event of the week with Tom, Kes, and Neelix. Unless Neelix started on one of his expertise kicks.... I don't know, she hedged, annoyed with herself for being unable to make a decision. I guess I'll have to think about it, she conceded at last.

I'm sure Kes and Neelix won't mind, if that's what's bothering you, Tom assured her.

B'Elanna sighed loudly and slouched in exhaustion in her chair. I had no idea that something like a date could cause so much trouble. I mean, Harry, how did you ever have the energy to chase after Libby?

Harry smiled, always happy to talk a few minutes about his love. Actually, she chased after me.

Torres dismissed his explanation with a wave. Whatever. It just doesn't seem worth it to me.

Tom couldn't stop himself from smirking. Oh, it's worth it all right. You just have to meet the right one. Torres glared at him, and he practically swallowed his smirk.

It's all this wedding talk, Kim decided. I think I'll be glad when the big event is over. I've seen more couples coming out of the bulkheads this last week than in the entire time we've been here. He joined Torres' attitude with a tired slouch of his own.

Yeah. It does sort of make a guy - well, either more lonely, or in Hargrove's case at least, more courageous. The card game completely forgotten now, Tom leaned back against the console to stare contemplatively up at the ceiling. First a baby, now a wedding - Yep, the good old days of get-to-know-ya on Voyager are definitely over, he lamented dramatically.

The three officers sat quietly, each staring at the ceiling, lost in their own private thoughts. The only sound to break the meditative silence was the rhythmic thumping of the chief engineer's boot against the base of her console. Each thump rang hollowly in the tiny office.

Finally Kim broke the silence. I can't stand this. Paris, if you don't deal a new game, I'm going to start missing Libby and feeling sorry for myself.

B'Elanna patted Harry reassuringly on his shoulder. Do you miss her a lot, Harry? she asked sympathetically.

Harry shrugged and sighed. Yes. No. I don't know. Not so much, I guess, he said, and heaved another sigh.

Paris grinned as he dealt out a new game. I know - you could date Hargrove. I'm sure Libby would understand.

Harry gave Paris an irritated look. Torres burst out laughing. Go ahead, Harry. That would solve all our problems!

Someday, Harry thought, Paris will go too far, and then...POW! Just deal, Kim ordered tersely.

Tom dealt the cards and giggled intermittently. My friends, the game is poker. Five card stud. Draw at your own risk. The Hargrove card is wild. Very wild. More laughter erupted in the tiny office. Tom waggled his eyebrows. Beware Hargrove! he intoned, then collapsed into a new fit of giggles, along with B'Elanna. And this time Harry joined in.

Chapter 5 || Contents || Chapter 7