SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
Episode 116
Part G

 

In Sickbay, Tomin is sprawled on the main biobed, in the surgical bay, while the Doctor checks his diagnosis. Neelix: "I thought synthehol wasn't supposed to have this effect on people." Doctor: "Most people. The enzymes that break down synthehol aren't present in his bloodstream."

Neelix: "Can you counteract the effects?" Doctor: "I can synthesise the enzymes, but that'll take days." Neelix: "Days? The Captain will be back in the morning."

Paris: "Maybe he needs a cold shower." Neelix: "If his superiors find him like this he'll be banished from the colony and our trade agreement will go right out the airlock!"

Tomin, to Seven, still drunk: "Oh, Seven of mine."

Seven: "It may be possible to encode some of my nanoprobes to assimilate the synthehol molecules." Tomin, to Seven: "Assimilate me!" Doctor: "There may be some adverse effects." Tomin, to Seven: "Please." Luckily for everyone, he passes out again. Doctor: "But it's worth a try." Neelix: "The Kadi have rules against medical procedures that haven't been sanctified." Paris: "I'd say he's already violated a few rules. What's one more?"

Doctor: "Either we treat him or he remains intoxicated." To Neelix: "You're his caretaker. Decide!" Neelix hesitates only briefly before deciding: "Nanoprobes."

At this Seven goes into the medical lab, collects a trolley of instruments and prepares to begin the necessary procedure. The Doctor sees this as an opportunity to speak to her privately, and follows her. Doctor: "I owe you an apology." Seven: "Nanoprobe extraction is an insignificant procedure. My systems will adapt."

Doctor: "No, I-I'm referring to the wager I made with Ensign Paris. I can see how you might have felt manipulated, but I assure you that was never my intention." Seven: "I accept your apology."

Doctor: "I want to make this perfectly clear so there's no room for misunderstanding. I asked you to go with me to the reception because I enjoy your company. In fact, over the last few days I feel as though we've....." searching for the right words "grown closer." Seven: "Closer?" Doctor: "We've become more than colleagues. We're friends."

Seven: "Friends. Agreed. I should begin." Doctor: "Of course."

He leaves her and returns to the computer console in the main part of Sickbay. "I'll take over from here." Paris starts to leave but then the Doctor calls him: "Mr Paris," and Paris goes back up to him, "hypothetically, if one develops romantic feelings for another person, how does one usually go about expressing them?" Paris glances at Seven in the medical lab but the Doctor tells him: "It's for one of Seven's social lessons."

Paris: "Ah. I recommend the direct approach. Tell the person how you feel." Doctor: "What if the feelings aren't mutual?" Paris: "Well, that's the risk you always take." Doctor: "Oh. Thank you."

Paris, realising he does mean Seven: "Why don't you tell her? Come on, Doc. It's obvious the Ambassador is not the only one in this room who's intoxicated." Doctor: "Impossible. She's my student." Paris: "A hologram and a Borg? Stranger things have happened. Just look at me and B'Elanna."

With that, he departs, leaving the Doctor doing some serious thinking about himself and Seven.

The next morning, Tomin still has a hangover, though not as much as before thanks to the Borg nanoprobes. He walks gingerly along the corridor to the transporter room, helped by Neelix. Tomin: "Er, could, could we walk a little slower?" Neelix: "They're due back any minute." Tomin: "But my throat feels like an ancient parchment. Can't we go back to Sandrine's for a refreshing glass of-" Neelix, gently but firmly propelling the Ambassador along and into the transporter room: "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no."

They reach the transporter room whose doors open for them. Neelix helps Tomin inside, but Tomin pauses in the doorway, holding onto the reveal. Tomin: "Oh, those doors, they're so loud!"

Neelix, getting Tomin into position to receive the Abbot, Janeway and Tuvok: "You've got a hangover." Tomin: "Neelix, I don't remember much of last night but," clearing his throat, "I imagine I might have said some things." Neelix: "You spoke eloquently, charmed the entire crew, your reception was a success." Firmly: "Understand?" Tomin: "Yes. Neelix, you've been most patient." Neelix: "Well, that's my job, and it isn't over yet."

The transporter activates. The Abbot, Janeway and Tuvok materialise.

Neelix: "Welcome back."

The three new arrivals come off the dais and come up to Neelix and Tomin. Janeway: "Good to be home. How's it going?" Neelix: "All systems functioning normally. Ensign Kim detected a minor fluctuation in the sensor array but he took care of it." Janeway: "I was referring to Ambassador Tomin. Did he enjoy his visit?" Tomin opens his mouth to reply but Neelix interrupts. Neelix: "Ha, well, well, I would say that he, er, he enjoyed himself immensely."

Abbot to Tomin: "There are many distractions aboard this vessel. You didn't indulge in any of their more colourful traditions?" Tomin, following Neelix's lead, protests: "Of course not." For the sake of diplomacy, Neelix has to lie: "We followed the itinerary that you approved, to the last detail." Abbot: "Oh, shame."

Tomin: "Your holiness?" Abbot, aware of more than he seems to know: "It isn't a violation to explore new experiences, as long as you don't make a habit of it." Tomin: "I see your point."

Abbot: "Shall we conclude our negotiations, Captain?"
Janeway: "By all means."
Tuvok: "I'll show you to the Briefing Room."

As they exit, Janeway pats Neelix, pleased with him. "Good work, Ambassador." So all is well.

Neelix helps Tomin leave the room.

In Cargobay 2 Seven picks up a bouquet from the floor of her Borg alcove.

The Doctor enters. "Do you like them?" Seven: "Species rosa rubifolia. State your intention." Doctor: "I wanted to congratulate you on the latest phase of your social development."

Doctor: "Why don't you read the card?" Seven, reading the card: "'You are my sunshine.'"

Doctor: "These past few days have been," he pauses as he searches for the right word, "unforgettable. You've brought light into my life, Seven."

Seven: "You have developed romantic feelings for me." Doctor: "It's as if you've become a part of my program. When we're apart, I, I feel like I'm missing a subroutine. I, I don't expect you to reciprocate, but I wanted you to know how I feel."

The door signal sounds. "Computer, end program." The Seven he has just proclaimed his love to was a hologram - he was rehearsing!

The holo-simulation of Cargobay 2 disappears......

......to leave just the bare Holodeck.

Doctor: "Enter." The doors open. Seven is standing outside. "Seven." Seven: "I wish to speak with you." Doctor: "What a coincidence. I was hoping to speak with you as well." Seven: "Regarding?" Doctor: "You first."

She approaches and hands him a tricorder. Doctor: "What's this?"

Seven: "It's a medical tricorder. I enhanced its scanning resolution by 33%. You once stated you desired a more efficient instrument." Doctor: "I suppose I did." Seven: "It is a gift - Lesson Twenty-two: Thanks for the Memories." When the Doctor, overcome by emotion, does not answer, she asks: "Is it insufficient?"

Seven: "I chose to convey my gratitude at this time because I no longer require your assistance. It's obvious there are no potential mates for me aboard this vessel." The Doctor is disappointed. "However, if I encounter a compatible individual in the future, I will again seek your guidance." Doctor, his romantic hopes crushed: "'Guidance.' Of course." Seven: "You said you had something to tell me." The Doctor flounders for a moment, then manages to say, omitting the declaration of love he was originally going to make: "I just wanted to say the past few days have been," hesitating as he finds the best word, "unforgettable. Thank you." Seven: "You're welcome."

She turns and leaves.

Doctor, feeling dejected: "Computer, activate holo-program Paris-3."

The Chez Sandrine holoprogram activates.

He goes to the piano, sits, and plays 'Someone To Watch Over Me'. He finishes by singing along to the music: "'Won't you tell her please to put on some speed, follow my lead, oh how I need someone to watch over me."