The Doctor sighed and eyed Tom.  "Mr. Paris, could we just get down to the business at hand?  I have some lab work for you."

Tom grinned.  "All right, all right.  You win.  I won't bother you about it."

The Doctor nodded and said, "Thank you.  Now if you'll come with me into the lab I'll show you what I need done."  Without a word he stalked off.

Tom smiled softly and followed.  The game wasn't over yet.  After the Doctor showed him what was to be done Tom couldn't fight the urge to non-chalantly say, "So are you gonna talk to her or am I?"

The Doctor sighed and irritably looked over the results he was reading.  "Mr. Paris, if you get this much enjoyment out of annoying me then I might have to evaluate you and make sure you are getting enough social activity."

Tom laughed at that.  "What?  All I want to do is help a friend out.  Is that so bad?  You need to talk to her.  For my sake at least.  If I have to watch you mope about sickbay another day I'll have to evaluate you."  The Doc threw him an annoyed expression.  "Ok, maybe not that.  Still though, you need to just get it out and over with.  You never know.  She might be feeling the same things for you and she's too afraid to say anything."

The Doctor shook his head.  "No.  She made that more than clear."

Tom leaned against the table.  "Oh?  When was this?"

The Doc sighed.  "All right.  Since you won't leave this alone I will humor you, Mr. Paris.  Yes, I was going to tell her.  I was about to when she came to me after our lessons had ended.  She gave me a gift and then proceeded to tell me that she was sorry my efforts had gone to waste because she didn't think there were any potential mates aboard Voyager."

Tom bit his lip and looked down.  "Have you ever thought that maybe she hadn't considered you part of that grouping because you were teaching her?  Perhaps you didn't even occur to her because you were trying to teach her how to interact with the others on Voyager.  She already knows how to interact with you."

The Doctor considered this for a moment.  He seemed a little less skeptical.  "Well, maybe.  I think I should just let things happen as they happen.  Not push things."

Tom shrugged a little dubiously.  "I guess you could.  You might be missing out though."  Maybe he should talk to Seven?  He looked up to suggest it to the Doc and decided against that.  He would only tell me not to,  Tom thought.  Should I? he asked himself.  He glanced over at the Doctor and decided to do it.  Tom grinned.

There she was, sitting at her table in the mess hall, forking through the meal Neelix had set before her.  She didn't look particularly pleased with today's special.  "Good afternoon, Tom," Neelix said cheerfully.  "Hungry?"

Tom smiled and nodded.  "Sure.  What have you got today?"

Neelix smiled and held up a plate with some sort of purple mass of something resembling food on it.  "Necarian Lasagna.  I've had lots of compliments on it too!"

Tom took the tray Neelix handed him and said, "Looks great!"  The Talaxian beamed as Tom headed to where she was and sat down with her.  "Hello Seven."

"Ensign Paris," she acknowledged.  "You wish to join me?"

He smiled.  "Yeah.  Are you enjoying your lasagna?"

She seemed to dislike being reminded of what was before her.  "It is adequate."  She forked a little bit and took a bite, seeming undecided on whether she liked the taste or not.

Tom grinned and forked a bite into his mouth, regretting it.  "Wow," he said, gulping some of his water down.  "This sure is spicy."  Seven had a very slight smile on her face.  "Does my pain amuse you?" Tom asked, laughing.

She looked up at him.  "Mildly."

Tom shook his head.  "Well, then I guess it's worth it.  Sev, can I ask you some things?"  He took another smaller bite.

She took a drink.  "You may, Ensign Paris."

He took  long drink, then motioned for Neelix to come over.  "Have you ever thought about dating again?"

Neelix stepped over.  "Are you enjoying your lasagna, Tom?"  He eagerly waited a reply.

Tom nodded.  "It's great, but really spicy.  Do you happen to have some milk?"

Neelix nodded and left them alone again.  Seven swallowed.  "I have not.  I don't believe there is anyone aboard Voyager that would suit my preferences."

Tom cautiously took another bite of the spiced lasagna.  "Are you sure?  I mean have you considered everyone?"

Seven sigh irritably.  "Yes."

"The Doc?"

She stared for a moment.  The Neelix returned with Tom's milk.  "Here you go, Tom.  I'm glad you like my lasagna.  I mean it's Necarian, but I did do a few things to it to spruce it up.  You know, a little more of this, a little less of that..."

Tom cleared his throat.  "Sorry Neelix, but Sev and I are kinda...having a discussion at the moment.  I really like the food Neelix.  This is your best dish yet.  Thank you for the milk."  Neelix smiled and retreated.  "So?" he said to Seven.

"I.." she stared.  "I had not."

Tom chewed for a moment.  "Well," he said, swallowing.  "What do you think now?"

Her brows furrowed in thought as she considered.  "He has assisted me on numerous occasions.  I feel most comfortable with him.  He understands me more than anyone else on Voyager and helps me understand.  He shares an interest in music and is straight forward with me.  He does not require that I implement irrelevant practices and traditions into our relationship."

Tom giggled.  "That's got to be the most clinical diagnosis of a potential mate I've ever heard."

Seven ignored that.  She was getting good at ignoring irrelevant comments that poked a little fun at her.  "Do you think he would be a good mate for me, Ensign Paris?"

Tom smiled.  "I think so.  I can't think of anyone better suited for you.  You and he are a lot alike.  Even though he understands individuality a little better, he's still exploring his own humanity and he's been where you are, so he understands you.  What do you think, Seven?  Think you and he could have something?"

She considered, seemingly lost in the purple of her lunch.  "I believe I will ask him to join me for dinner."

Tom thought about it.  "Sev, why don't you play things a little more subtle than that?"

Her brows knitted.  "State what you mean, Ensign Paris."

He leaned over.  "Well, instead of rushing into dating and romance, why not just start hanging around him more.  Do simple things and take things slowly."

"Why do you believe this is the correct manner to proceed?"

He chewed the inside of his cheek, thinking.  "Well, you and he are already friends.  If you rush into romance with him and things don't work out you two might wind up feeling uncomfortable around each other."

She raised her eyebrow.  "I do not understand this.  Why would I feel uncomfortable with someone I am so close with?"

Tom shrugged.  "It doesn't always happen, but sometimes feelings get hurt unintentionally and alot of time friendships don't survive failed romance."

She looked down at her plate, absently stirring her food.  "Be subtle," she murmured.  Then she looked up suspiciously.  "What prompted this discussion, Ensign Paris?"

Tom smiled.  "Does there have to be a reason?"

She raised her eyebrow again and looked him over.  "I believe there is a reason for this.  Have you wagered another bet about me?"

He shook his head.  "No, I didn't wager any bets.  I just think you and Doc would be kinda good for each other.  Is there something wrong with one friend trying to get two friends together?"

"I suppose not," she said matter-of-factly as she took a small bite.  "Very well.  I will devote more of my spare time to the Doctor.  When would be the appropriate time to engage in a romantic relationship?"

Tom bit his lip and thought about it.  "I think you'll know when the time comes."

"Explain."

"There's really nothing to explain.  You just...know.  It's...natural.  You just...know."

She shook her head and took a drink.  "For someone so prolific in the arts of romance you seem to be at a loss when explaining it to me."

Tom sighed.  "That's because no words can do love justice.  No words could describe exactly when and why you feel the urge to kiss someone or want to be held by someone.  It just happens."

"Human emotions are confusing and inefficient," she said with her usual conviction.

Tom grinned.  "Yeah, but they are worth the trouble they are when you love someone and are loved back."

She chewed her last bite of lasagna.  "Do you believe the Doctor will someday be interested in a romantic relationship with me?" she asked softly.

Tom couldn't fight the grin on his face.  "Oh yeah, Seven.  I think so.  Definitely."

She eyed him.  "Is there something you know that you are not telling me, Ensign Paris?"

He giggled and shook his head.  "It's just that he'd be crazy not to, Sev.  You two are very compatible."

She nodded, satisfied and stood.  "Thank you, Ensign Paris.  It has been intriguing and enjoyable having lunch with you."

He smiled and nodded as she left.  It was then Harry slid into the seat with his tray.  "What were you and Seven talking about?  It seemed like a deep conversation," he said curiously.

Tom smiled.  "Just talking about the Doc."

B'Elanna, having just grabbed her tray, joined them.  "What are you two talking about?" she asked, taking a bite and wincing.

Tom grinned.  "Just the Doc."

"What about him?" she said, gulping her Terasian Julu Juice.

Harry giggled, pouring some of the juice from a pitcher into his cup.  "He was talking to Seven about him.  Something's up, Tom.  Come on, you know you can't hide it for long."

B'Elanna sat forward, grinning.  "Yeah.  Come on, Tom.  Tell us."

Tom stretched.  "I don't know if I should tell you.  By tomorrow it could be all over the ship and then Doc'll have my hide."

B'Elanna gave him a steady stare and said, "You know us.  We won't say anything."

Harry leaned forward.  "We're all ears."

Tom sighed.  "Fine.  If he gets mad at me though, you two are gonna get it.  I was suggesting to Seven that maybe the Doc would make a good romantic interest."  B'Elanna smiled and thought about it.  Harry gaped.  Tom giggled.  "Shut your mouth, Harry.  You look silly.  Look, I know you still dream of hot nights of teaching her how to really be human, but the Doc really loves her."

B'Elanna nodded.  "Yeah I can see that.  He does seem to light up when she enters the room."

Harry sighed and muttered, "I don't dream of hot nights of teaching her how to really be human..."

Tom giggled.  "You don't?"

Harry blushed.  "Well, I have thought about it.  He loves her?"

Tom nodded.  "He's got it bad."

B'Elanna smiled.  "What a cute couple they'll make too.  Both exploring their humanity, both as rude and as smug as they can be." She smirked.

Tom smiled.  "Yeah, but really.  I think they'll make a great couple."

Harry sighed.  "Yeah, I guess so."

Tom pet Harry on the shoulder.  "It's ok, buddy.  We'll get through this."

Harry shook his head and laughed.  "Really, I'm fine.  Thanks," he said sarcastically, laughing.

The Doctor sat there at his desk in sickbay absently staring off and singing softly to himself.  He hadn't even heard her come in and didn't even realise she was standing there, watching.  Watching and weighing.  She didn't even think to consider him when she was evaluating different crew members as potential dates.  Now that she thought about it though, it did make sense.  She only wished she had thought about it before.  Se blinked when he said, "Can I help you with something, Seven?"

She sighed, slightly nervous.  What made it worse was the fact that she could not pinpoint the reason.  "You are preoccupied.  I will return another time," she said, turning to leave.

He laughed softly.  "No, I was just...lost I guess.  Come back."

She turned back to him.  "Lost?"

He smiled.  "That seems to be the only way to describe it.  I was transfixed.  I wasn't really thinking about anything...just...lost."  He shrugged and scratched as his temple.  "What can I help you with?"

She stood a little straighter.  "I did not come here for help.  I came for social activity."

His smiled widened.  "Well, that's always a pleasure.  What would you like to do?"

"I thought perhaps we could go to the holodeck and sing.  I enjoy that alot."  She leaned against the wall, thinking continuously about what she and Tom had talked about.  She found she liked it when the Doctor smiled.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked, grinning and standing.  "Shall we?"  He held out his arm.

She smiled and took it.