The Game

          She immediately whipped around, bringing her phaser up and falling over the person's feet. Throwing a hand out to steady herself, it landed on a nicely shaped breast, one at her shoulder level and stunned, she didn't remove her hand. "Good afternoon Lieutenant." Looking up and squinting, trying to focus in the dark, B'Elanna asked, "Seven?" Seven of Nine stood stock still thankful for the dark. Though she could see due to Borg technology, she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that the Lieutenant couldn't. Her pleasure at the unexpected touch and at who was touching her increased her heart rate and made her breathing more rapid. "Yes, Lieutenant," she replied back hoping that her condition wasn't obvious to the woman and wondering what stroke of luck happened to bring the fiery Klingon to the same hiding place as hers. "What the hell are you doing in here," B'Elanna hissed still unaware of her hand placement. "I am currently hiding from the person who wishes to "kill" me and I imagine you are doing the same," she stated hoping that the moment never ended. B'Elanna pushed her body against the tall blond and said, "don't think you can kick me out. This is the best spot." Seven grinned in the darkness and replied, "that is why I am here also Lieutenant." B'Elanna pushed herself off the ex-drone and finally realized where her hand was, "uh, sorry Seven," she whispered suddenly self-conscious. "I did not mind Lieutenant," came Seven's answer and just as B'Elanna went to question the beauty about her last statement, they hear the unmistakably sound of the cargobay doors swooshing open. "Ssshhh�," came B'Elanna's response as if she thought the woman wouldn't know to keep quiet under the circumstances. Seven rolled her eyes, a newly acquired habit she had picked up from Naomi Wildman, Voyager's youngest crewmember.

          Tom Paris nervously began a thorough search of the unused cargobay, phaser at ready, hoping that his victim had not hidden in here, because the place was a wonder of nooks and crannies just waiting to spill out undercover assassins from their depths. According to the rules of engagement, he was hunter and hunted, for when his assignment had come though, he knew that his victim was also his assassin. The idea for the game came from an extensive search of the database for unusual games played in the twentieth century. Tom constantly scanned the ship's computer in hope of coming up with a new way to entertain himself and others, but this one was his best yet. Originally titled "TAG, The Assassination Game," it apparently had begun in a number of colleges as a way to alleviate stress from studying and from studying itself. He'd also found reference to a little known movie from around the 1980's, but hadn't been able to find the movie, which had greatly disappointed him. Instead, he looked over the "rules of engagement", found out how they assigned people to one another and what type of weapons that were used. Once he saw that the "weapons" of choice had been a kid's dart gun, he'd laughed and then put his head together with Harry Kim and they had devised a more modern gun that was also just as harmless. They had rigged a phaser type gun that when you pressed the trigger, sent out a substance that marked an opponent with a bright color, but which wore off after two hours. Next he placed the schematics of the gun in the ship's database so that player's could replicate their own, if they choose to play; if not, it didn't cost them any replicator rations. Harry and Tom approached Captain Kathryn Janeway next to outline their game and to ask for permission to play it using the entire ship as potential hiding places. After some thought, she summons both to her ready room and outlined her rules to the two senior officers. So, the rules were input into the computer and a ship-wide notice was sent to all challenging them to hone their stalking and combat skills while having the time of their lives playing TAG.

          The response was remarkable considering most crewmembers dedicated themselves to their work and hardly took time to play at all. The most surprising was the entry of Tuvok and Seven of Nine, both who found time essential and not to be wasted�especially playing a game, but when asked, both replied that the experience would help them be better prepared, in case of an "unexpected" boarding party happened to come aboard. Since this had occurred a few times, their explanation, though sound, was considered a lot of bullshit. The computer assigned matches between people and provided each with the other's scheduled time off. The rules were pretty easy. No one was allowed to participate when on duty, only deck fourteen could be used to hide on, but if you both had holodeck time and wished to create a scene there, that was fine too. Everyone involved was assigned a dinner break, so that diners would not be disturbed and if for any reason, you had to work late, you had to inform your opponent and the computer, so that the match could be rescheduled. At the end of each day, the losers would be posted as well as the people who would continue the game. You were not allowed to ask the computer for the location of the other person and after five hours of play, the game was called so that no one went without rest. Captain Janeway of course, would award the prize of 100 holodeck hours or 100 replicator rations to the winner. So in the spirit of the game, Tom Paris now hoped to "kill" Harry. Now toward the back of the cargobay, Tom cautiously opened and peeked into every utility closet he came across, expecting Harry to pop out at any moment, so image his surprise when B'Elanna and Seven both jumped out screaming, pointing their phasers in his face and scaring the crap out of him. Grabbing his chest and falling backwards, he yelled at them and inadvertently told the stalking figure of Harry Kim of his locations. As Tom ranted, Harry pulled his triggered and yelled, "got ya!" Tom's look of amazement and disgust made all three begin to laugh as the time was announced, by a chiming sound ship-wide, that the first contestants of the day, could no longer play. "Thank God," exclaimed B'Elanna whose meeting with the voluptuous Seven had wreaked havoc with her nerves and her hormones. "I need a drink," said Tom rather pathetically already planning his revenge on Ensign Kim.

          The four friends headed for Sandrine's, another program of Tom's that many crewmembers utilized. Once on the holodeck, the friends entered the smoky atmosphere and sidled up to the bar, each ordering their own drinks. Even Seven whose implants made her especially susceptible to alcohol, even synthetic alcohol, ordered a glass of bloodwine, alcohol content of two percent. B'Elanna looked at Seven in amazement when she ordered the bloodwine because she'd never met anyone, other than Klingons who could tolerate the favor, low alcohol content or not. The four took a back corner table and drank in silence for a while until Tom got antsy and asked them to play pool. They played guys against the women the first time until they discovered that Seven was a natural and switched partners. B'Elanna enjoyed watching the looks Harry and Tom gave Seven each time she sank a nearly impossible shot, but also enjoyed the smooth lines of the woman's body as she bent over the table or had to reach for a shot. She was amazing, no doubt about it and probably about as interested in dating women as Tom was in dating men, so B'Elanna contented herself with observing the woman.

           Soon though Seven grew tired of the game, refusing to spend another minute playing it and told Tom and Harry as much; both smiled at her saying they understood and returned to the game, thankful the blond had finally dropped out. Taking a seat next to B'Elanna, Seven wondered if she should discuss the events in the "closet" with the Lieutenant who'd been watching her with interest all evening long, or if she should not mention because it might embarrass her�in the end, she choose silence and another drink. B'Elanna glanced over and studied the contours of Seven's face and found her very attractive. No wonder crewmembers, men and women alike, watched her as if under a spell�what had been apparent to them for years, had escaped her attention until the last four months when her and Tom had stopped seeing each other. They both enjoyed the other's company, but both longed for something else and could never have while dating each other, so they had gone their separate ways. Rumors onboard were that Tom's interest in the Delaney sisters was too intense, so he had to leave, but neither dispelled the rumors because they figured small minds would simply come up with other excuses to spread around. Seven sighed deeply and leaned back looking as relaxed as the Lieutenant had ever seen her since her arrival to Voyager. "I could get use to this drink," claimed Seven, clearly becoming intoxicated. "Perhaps you should switch to something else Seven," B'Elanna suggested already trying to catch a waiter's eye. Seven turned her head slowly to study B'Elanna as a smile split her face. Their chairs were close together, a situation Seven arranged when she sat next to the half-Klingon, hoping for more intimate contact, but the woman seemed uninterested, even though her attention had not gone unnoticed by Seven this evening. As the waiter came over, Seven ordered a bottle of champagne. "Seven, I think you've had enough for tonight. If you're not careful, I'll have to carry you home." The smug look on B'Elanna's face surprised Seven and made her shiver. Her imagination almost ran away from her as she daydreamed all the different scenarios that could come about if the Lieutenant did take her to her quarters. "Hello, Seven," said B'Elanna waving her hand in front of the ex-Borg's face. "You with me here?" Seven smiled again, thankful that the Captain had provided her with her own quarters only three months ago. She'd had Seven's quarters rigged with a miniature regeneration chamber, so that Seven could regenerate in private, but also sleep when she felt like it. "Yes, I am here Lieutenant," she replied feeling weightless from the alcohol. "I asked you to call me B'Elanna when we were off duty, remember," B'Elanna asked feeling frustrated. How many times did she have to say it before it sank into her brain? Seven stood up, turned her chair towards B'Elanna and then sat again, with her legs touching the Klingon. B'Elanna bit her bottom lip surprised at the contact, even though she'd been secretly hoping for it. A hand caressed her leg making B'Elanna squirm and breath a little faster. "Wha�what'd ya doin' Seven," she asked nervously glancing toward Tom and Harry. "I do not believe my actions require explanation B'Elanna, do you," she replied in a smoky voice, one low with desire. B'Elanna froze unsure of what to do and what to say after Seven's explanation. Of course she knew what the woman was doing and if that hand of hers came and closer to her crotch, B'Elanna thought she might just come on the spot. Must think, thought B'Elanna unnerved. Seven's hand continued its exploration and wandered from her stomach to her breasts. "Ummm�you fell very pleasant Lieute�B'Elanna," murmured Seven as if under a spell. The touching of her breasts released B'Elanna from her frozen state but too late. "Well, looks like we're interrupting Harry, shall we sit at the bar," Tom asked raising his eyebrow and grinning at the two women, "or can we watch?" As Harry Kim stood stock still next to Tom, his face became a pronounced red and his mouth dropped open in surprise. He began to back away, even though he couldn't take his eyes off the ex-Borg feeling up the half-Klingon. "Umm, I guess that's a yes," replied Tom watching his friend. "I'd better go get him a string drink. I think he's in shock." Bending down, Tom kissed the cheek of his ex and whispered in her ear, "I hope you know what you're doing honey."

           Seven observed and hear the action and words of Tom and seemed puzzled by them. "What did her mean by that," she asked the woman in front of her, "that he hoped you knew what you were doing. Am I unacceptable as a mate Lieutenant?" B'Elanna shock herself at the words and stammered a reply. "No, you are�more than acceptable Seven. You're a beautiful woman who doesn't know it and that's rare, but why you'd want me is a puzzle. He meant I should make sure I know what I want first, before getting involved." "He still cares for you then," Seven asked, "even though you are no longer together." This puzzled her because she'd witnessed the attitudes of many people who had broken up and most seemed to despise one another. Suddenly Seven stood, unsteadily and exclaimed, "I should be going. Good night Lieutenant," as she ran for the door. Before B'Elanna could even react to her sudden departure, Seven was gone and B'Elanna sat alone.

          Tom and Harry wandered back over after seeing Seven stumble out and Tom said, "whatever you did must have been real smooth Lanna. That even beats my best time at scaring away a date." Though still stunned, B'Elanna, Harry and Tom laughed and had another few drinks together and tried to come up with a plan for B'Elanna to win over the blond. By the time she left, she was very intoxicated and it was three o'clock in the morning.

           Morning came early for all as they made their separate ways to the mess hall and Neelix's coffee. They all sat at the same table, holding their heads and groaning into their cups, including Seven of Nine. She surprised B'Elanna by taking the seat next to her, sipping her coffee and placing her hand on B'Elanna's knee and leaving it there. Tom and Harry came over and sat down unable to raise their eyes above their coffee cups. Captain Janeway came in to get her usual carafe of coffee and saw the pathetic group all nursing coffees. She walked over and began, "a glorious morning, don't you agree? Since it's been so quiet, I think today will be best used as a 'spring cleaning'. Don't you agree?" All four glanced up at the Captain and each thought of mutiny before knowing their assent. Inside Janeway laughed at their discomfort, but decided not to torture the group anymore. "Since the four of you have been putting in a lot of overtime over the past three months, I'm giving each of you the day off. That's an order." They all looked at her and smiled. Thanking her, they continued sipping. "Oh and by the way," said Janeway, "I understand that the four of you are playing TAG?" They nodded and looked at her expectantly. "I saw some people lurking in the hallway," she claimed, "they seemed overly interested in the mess hall." Turning on her heel, she left knowing she had just made four of her senior officers extremely paranoid.

          What are we going to do," asked Harry regretting his decision to drink so much last night. Tom spoke up, "as long as you're in here, you're off-limits. Have any of you looked to see who you have today?" Seven who'd been quiet until now said, "does anyone know that we have the day off?" Nods all around confirmed and relieved the people sitting together. Seven removed her hand from B'Elanna's leg as Neelix approached the table with his usual grin. "How is everyone this morning," he asked genuinely interested. "I overheard the Captain give you the day off," he continued, "so I took the liberty of looking up your game assignments for today and freeing you up in the computer." Three of them looked at him in dismay. "Was�wasn't that okay," Neelix stammered. B'Elanna growled at him, "just give me my damned assignment, so I can go kill this person and then return to my quarters!" Neelix handed the PADD to Lieutenant Torres and then to each hand that was thrust forward for theirs. Harry groaned at his selection and revealed to the others whom he had gotten and who had him. "Tuvok," Harry said sounding despondent, "I can't believe it! Of all the people�" Tom grinned thankful that Harry had killed him yesterday. He planned on going straight back to bed. Harry and Tom both stood to leave and wished Seven and B'Elanna luck with their victims/hunters.

          "Well now, isn't this interesting," declared B'Elanna as she looked at Seven. "Hmm�," replied Seven draining her cup and setting it down. "What are the odds of us getting each other this morning," asked B'Elanna wonderingly. Seven grinned and still said nothing as she reached under the table and ran her hand up B'Elanna's thigh toward her crotch. B'Elanna sat forward suddenly and grabbed at Seven's hand. "What are you doing," she choked out at the unexpected touch. Seven pulled out her phaser and pointed it at an astonished Lieutenant Torres. "I am taking you as my prisoner Lieutenant." "You set this up Borg," exclaimed B'Elanna already getting ready to bolt. "That would not be a wise move Lieutenant," stated Seven of Nine. "I beg your pardon," questioned B'Elanna with a look of defiance on her face, "and just how do you plan to stop me? I'm off-limits here." She smiled rebelliously, "and I don't lose to you or anyone!" Seven put away the phaser as she stood and said, "today you do." Seven swept the half-Klingon off her feet and threw her over her shoulder as she walked toward the exit. The Klingon in question yelled and struggled but could not get the other woman to release her. As they approached the turbolift, the doors swished open to admit them. "Deck Nine," Seven told the computer ignoring B'Elanna's protests. "Well the hell are you taking me Borg," yelled B'Elanna enraged, "I'm going to kick your ass when I get loose!" Seven grinned and exited the lift heading for her quarters.

          Once inside her quarters, Seven placed the angry Klingon down and stepped back waiting. B'Elanna crouched and circled the blond plotting her best move to get past the ex-drone. Seven walked away from B'Elanna and headed for the replicator. "Bloodwine," she requested. When the drink came up, she turned and offered it to B'Elanna. "A hair of the�dog? that bit you," she told the woman before her. B'Elanna thanked her and reached for the mug taking a deep pull from it. Seven ordered another reduced alcohol bloodwine for herself and then went and sat on her couch. Patting the cushion beside her, she waited patiently for B'Elanna to decide what to do. Seven leaned back, placing one arm across the back of the couch as she watched the Lieutenant struggle with her emotions. B'Elanna however refused to be intimidated by Seven, so she moved forward and sat down almost in Seven's lap. When B'Elanna felt Seven move over ever so slightly she grinned and closed the distance once again. "You started this, why run now," B'Elanna asked confronting Seven. "Fine�I will continue," stated Seven coming up on one knee and leaning into B'Elanna. Once she had B'Elanna pressed beneath her, she kissed her deeply, while touching her hair and face. B'Elanna continued to be amazed as she returned the kiss. Wrapping her arms around Seven, B'Elanna began to explore the beauty on top of her with her hands. The contours of Seven's body flowed like water as she ran her hands over the long back and rounded buttocks. Squeezing Seven's buttocks, B'Elanna moaned into Seven's mouth and tried to press into the warm body more. Seven pushed up on her elbows and grinned down at the wonderful woman beneath her. "Is this an acceptable substitute for killing each other," she asked B'Elanna. "Are you kidding," she asked the ex-Borg breathlessly, "why'd ya stop to talk for anyway?" B'Elanna reached up and pulled Seven into her as she kissed her luscious lips. Seven nudged a leg between B'Elanna's and began to move against her as the other woman wrapped a leg around hers. This excited the Klingon so much that her aggressive nature took over and she tried to flip the blond over on her back, forgetting the width of the couch. As they hit the floor, Seven first, B'Elanna on top, both began to laugh as they rolled apart and sat up on the floor. "Ouch," said Seven rubbing her lower back and chuckling. "Let me see," commanded B'Elanna as she rolled Seven over on her stomach, "I'm sorry I landed on you," she finished as she began to massage Seven's backside. "I am not sorry," said Seven as she rested her head on her arms and enjoyed B'Elanna's touch. As she massaged Seven, B'Elanna asked, "why did you run out on me last night?" Seven turned her face so she could see B'Elanna and answered, "I became overexcited, so I had to leave and�take care of it. I am sorry that I ran out but I lost control and felt embarrassed. It did not go as I had planned." B'Elanna stopped rubbing Seven's back and said, "are you kidding? You can't leave just because you forgot to plan for excitement! Geez!" B'Elanna fell over and lay on her back, arms spread to the side. She rolled back up to sitting position, kissed Seven on the lips and said, "now I'm running out�and I'm extremely excited, but you'll have to find me on deck fourteen and kill me to have me!" She laughed at Seven's astonishment and ran out the door heading for her quarters and her phaser. Seven sat on the floor staring at the door and wondering how she could play TAG feeling as she did. She could really kill someone feeling as frustrated as she did and it was all B'Elanna's fault. Well, once she caught the Klingon, she would take her, no matter where she caught her and then she'd be satisfied.

          B'Elanna beamed herself to her quarters though it was a waste of energy so that she could get to deck fourteen first. She couldn't believe the nerve of Seven running out last night because she'd been excited. Didn't she realize that's why you got together with someone? So you could get excited and have it taken care of that other person? Gods! That woman needed more of the Doctor's lessons, but then the Doctor also informed Seven that she could only have relationships with men, so his lessons were questionable. Although B'Elanna was in need of relief too, she chose to channel that energy by planning strategies to beat the ex-Borg. After that, she would take Seven as she wanted. Seven slipped into the unused cargobay and began rigging traps to capture, but after netting several crewmembers that were unfortunate enough to wander in, she decided that Lieutenant Torres had already figured out her strategy. B'Elanna watched from the same utility closet where she'd hidden and bumped into Seven accidentally. She had observed the capture of nine different crewmembers and seen Seven becoming more agitated with each ensnarement. Fortunately for her, Seven's ability to sense or hear another's presence seemed to be impaired; maybe by sexual frustration�serves her right. B'Elanna stepped out quietly and aimed at Seven's long back. Just as she was about to pull the trigger, she heard a group of people all running toward the cargobay, so she ducked back into the closet and waited. Seven heard lots of running people too, so she headed for the closet where she had hidden before and just before they entered, she pulled the closet door shut and felt an arm snake around her waist and a hand cover her mouth. Seven stiffened as she felt warm breath on her ear, "Ssshhh�" came the whisper, "not a word." Seven felt a hand grasp her breast and squeeze, as another slid down to her sex. Both hands massaged and explored as the crowd of people outside examined and eventually left having discovered Seven's traps. B'Elanna rubbed her body against Seven as she inhaled the intoxicating smell of Seven's excitement. Removing her hand from Seven's breast, B'Elanna reached for her phaser and fired it at Seven, staining her with the substance it emitted. "Now," she said as she turned Seven toward her, "you are mine!" B'Elanna grabbed Seven's hand and pulled her all the way to her quarters where she commanded the woman to undress. "I told you, I never lose."