Red Dress Saga 04 Read online

  Damn it. Couldn't she ever react the way he expected? She didn't even have

  the common decency to look guilty or ashamed.

  Her blank expression slowly became a frown, then a furious scowl. "What?"

  "What do you mean 'what'? That's what you said."

  She shrugged impatiently, breaking his hold on her arms and took a step back,

  holding his eyes with her own furious stare.

  "That's not what I said, but even if I had said that, what the hell did you

  think it meant?"

  "I think it meant that you can't wait to meet my father the Admiral---in the

  red dress I gave you for your birthday--- and you'll charm him and persuade

  him to help you get the job of your dreams with Starfleet's Engineering

  Corps!" Paris shouted. "So glad I could be of service in furthering your career---what the hell do you mean you didn't SAY that?" he added as his hearing caught up with his brain. B'Elanna's emotions were running in so many different directions she was almost speechless. "You microbrain!" she spluttered. "You are the most ---infuriating, ridiculous-why would I give a targ's tooth about impressing your father?"In a much more subdued manner, Paris replied, "During dinner we were talking about our future careers once we get home. You said you might want to work at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards designing or modifying new ships."Torres snorted. "And I would need your father's help to get a job there? I don't think so. If I can't be accepted for my own abilities, I wouldn't want it. And if you were in your right mind, you'd know that. I haven't even met your father. I wouldn't presume to think that I could talk him into getting me a position that I'm not qualified for." She was calming down now as she recalled the degree of hurt she had observed in Tom's demeanor and just how vulnerable he was when his family came up in any discussion. If he had truly thought he'd heard her say something like that, his reaction was not unreasonable. But he still was not forgiven for putting her through this emotional turmoil.Tom was still lost. "What do you mean you didn't say that?" he repeated. "If you didn't say what I thought you said, what DID you say?"She raised an eyebrow at him. "If you didn't hear me the first time---did you ever go to Sickbay?""What? No. Why?" It was Tom's turn to be totally thrown by the apparent nonsequitur. She heaved an exasperated sigh and brought one hand up to caress his cheek. Just before she slapped it lightly. "Because your stupid holodeck program of skeet surfing dumped you in the ocean, whacked you on the head and filled your ears with water. That's why. Which must have affected your hearing. Which is why you totally misunderstood what I said." "Well, what did you say?" Paris pouted, not at all sure any more that he was in the right on this occasion.With overly correct enunciation, Torres stated, "You asked if I'd wear the red dress for you again. And my reply was 'Of course, I'll wear it again. It always makes a great impression on the Little Admiral. I'll get anything I want from him.' Did you catch it this time, Paris? The LITTLE Admiral!!"The little--- Oh. Oh shit.If there hadn't been so much pain involved, Tom's expression of dismay would have been ludicrous. With great sweetness, B'Elanna moved in for the kill. "You DO remember that 'the Little Admiral' is what you sometimes call your---""I remember!" Tom interjected hastily. He felt so stupid. Oh, brother. He'd misjudged B'Elanna so badly. She was never going to forgive him. "B'Elanna, I am so-"Her mouth pressed up to meet his, her arms locked around his neck. She drew back to smile at him. "Shut up, Tom.""But I have to say I'm so-"She cut him off with another kiss. "I know you're sorry." Another kiss. "And so am I."He held her off when she tried to move in again. "What? Why would you be sorry? I'm the one who---"This was harder than she'd thought, but she was going to clear the air here once and for all time, she hoped. "I must not have done a good job of showing you how much I care about you or you would never have thought that I'd say something that awful. I'm sorry. I know I can be difficult-" "No, B'Elanna, it's not you," Paris insisted gently. He used one hand to cup her jaw and stroked her cheekbone with a long thumb. "It was my fault. I think, for one short moment in time, I let myself forget who I was dealing with. Using people is not your style. If you wanted something from me, you'd just ask-or more likely demand it. You wouldn't manipulate. I let my past relationships creep into my present one and poison my mind. I am so sorry.""Tom, I'm going to say this once. Once is probably all I can manage so you'd better listen carefully." She tightened her arms and drew him closer as she met his eyes intently. "We've both had relationships in the past that---well, that were not good, to say the least. But that was then and this is now... and if you ever-ever-shut me out like you tried to do today, I will take a bat-telh to you. You talk to me!!" She gave him a little shake. "Yes, ma'am!" he drawled with a return of his natural insouciance."I could get used to instant obedience," Torres purred."Not likely. But do you forgive-"A finger laid across his lips silenced him once more. "Yes, you're forgiven. This time. Now, can't you think of something better to do with your mouth---" A soft kiss on her fingertip showed he'd gotten the message. "Good. Now, let's see, we have about 3 hours to kill and the holodeck all to ourselves..."Tom's inventiveness on the holodeck was not restricted to group recreational activities. He reported to Sickbay just before going on duty to have a broken clavicle mended and have his ears checked for hearing loss. Just in case.The End.