LIFESIGNS
Episode 35
Part D

 

In his quarters, Jonas has set up the secret communications link with the Kazon-Nistrim that he has been using for some time. Lorrum, Kazon-Nistrim representative, on computer screen: "Dissension among the Voyager crew. Maje Culluh will find that very interesting. Good work, Mr Jonas. Now there's something else we'd like you to do. We want you to create a small accident which will damage Voyager's warp coils." Jonas: "Why?" Lorrum, on computer screen: "There's no need to concern yourself with that. You just plan the accident. We'll let you know exactly when we want it to happen. Do we understand each other?" Jonas: "I want to talk to Seska." Lorrum, on computer screen: "I'm afraid Maje Culluh will-" Jonas interrupts him firmly: "You tell Maje Culluh that I won't do anything to damage Voyager. And if he has a problem with that, tell him to have Seska contact me." He ends contact before Lorrum can reply. He flings himself back in his seat, annoyed.

In his office, the Doctor is working at his personal computer. Kes enters. Kes: "Doctor, when you have a minute-" Doctor: "I'm running a level two self-diagnostic right now. I'll be there as soon as I'm finished." Kes: "Why are you running a diagnostic?" Doctor: "I've been experiencing periodic lapses in concentration and difficulty handing objects. There may be a malfunction in my tactile acuity subroutine." Kes: "How long has this been going on?" Doctor: "About two or three days." Kes: "Since Danara came aboard." Doctor: "What's your point?" Kes: "Maybe she's the reason you're feeling this way." Doctor: "I fail to see a connection." Kes: "Maybe you're attracted to her." Doctor: "I told you, my program's malfunctioning." Kes is amused. "Romance is not a malfunction!" Doctor: "Romance is not part of my programming." Kes: "Your programming's adaptive, isn't it?" Doctor: "Yes." Kes: "Then I'd say it's adapting." Doctor: "What if I don't want it to adapt right now?" Kes: "Why wouldn't you?" Doctor: "Because I don't like what's happening to me. I'm used to being in control of my faculties, confident of my decisions. But lately, whenever Danara's program is deactivated and I should be concentrating on my work, I find myself thinking of nothing but her." Kes: "Why don't you reactivate her?" Doctor: "Because whenever I do that, I suddenly feel unsettled, unsure of myself, and I have no idea what to say. Why would people seek out situations which induce such unpleasant symptoms?" Kes: "Because when the other person feels the same way you do, it's the most wonderful thing in life." Doctor: "Suppose, hypothetically, of course-" Kes: "Of course." Doctor: "I wanted to pursue that possibility. How would I proceed?" Kes: "You'd have to tell her how you feel." Doctor: "That's it? Just tell her how I feel?" Kes: "Otherwise you may never know how she feels."

The Doctor is performing treatment on Danara's real body, assisted by Kes and observed by Danara.

Doctor: "I'm going to try stimulating your motor neurons. Well, the nucleus cuneatus appears to be functioning normally. And now for the anterior thalamic pathway. Excellent. By the way, Danara, I've been meaning to tell you." Danara: "Yes?" Doctor: "I'm romantically attracted to you and wanted to know if you felt the same way."

Danara is stunned by the sudden impact of his words. Kes is stunned in a different way - by the bluntness. The Doctor asks Danara: "Is something wrong?" Danara: "No, I-" Doctor: "Did you understand what I said?" Danara: "Yes." Doctor: "Well?"

Kes: "Doctor, maybe now isn't the time to..." Doctor: "Excuse me, Kes. I was speaking to Danara."

Danara, having to think quickly: "I think it's best if we keep our relationship professional."

Doctor: "Oh."

He tries to hide his upset by pressing on with the treatment. "I'm going to try simulating the posterior sciatic nerve."

In the Chez Sandrine holoprogram, Paris is at a table on his own, drinking. The Doctor enters, sees him and comes up to him. Paris: "Doc, what brings you here? Is somebody sick?" Doctor: "Actually, Mr Paris, I was looking for you." Paris: "Oh. Well, pull up a chair." But the Doctor remains standing. Doctor: "Mr Paris, I assume you've had a great deal of experience of being rejected women." Paris: "Oh, thanks a lot, Doc." Doctor: "What I'd like to know is, what does one do to recover from the unpleasant symptoms of romantic rejection?"

Paris: "Why the sudden interest in romance?" Doctor: "I can't tell you. It's a matter of doctor-patient confidentiality."

Paris: "Ah. Alright." Thinking: "Well, let's see." He explains: "Sometimes there's not a lot you can do to get over a woman you really care about."

He goes up to the bar to get another drink. "I remember when Susie Crabtree dumped me back in my first year at the Academy. I broke out in hives. Couldn't get out of bed for a week. I almost failed Stellar Cartography. I walked around in a daze for the rest of that year. Of course, the first one is always the hardest to get over."

Doctor: "I see." He sinks into a chair.

Paris: "But eventually you start thinking about her less and less, until finally, without realising it, she's not on your mind any more." Doctor: "So, the symptoms do subside over time." Paris: "For the most part. But every now and then, even years later, something reminds you of her. A certain smell, a few notes of a song, and suddenly you feel just as bad as the day she told you she never wanted to see you again. If you want to know the honest truth, Doc, you never completely get over a woman you really cared about."

The Doctor closes his eyes and rests his head in his hand. "Wait a minute, Doc. We're not talking about you, are we?"

Doctor: "I told you, it was confidential." The Doctor's reaction confirms Paris' suspicion. "Oh! Boy, you've got it bad. Look, Doc, I don't mean to intrude, but if you tell me what's going on, maybe I can help."

In Sickbay, Danara is looking at her holographic hands, noticing that they are healthy and phage-free.

Danara: "Hello, Kes." Kes: "Are you feeling alright?" Danara: "I'm fine. I'm just waiting for the Doctor." Kes: "Oh." Danara: "He's been gone a long time."

Kes: "You really like him, don't you?" Danara's reaction gives the answer.

Kes: "Then why didn't you tell him that you felt the same way when he told you that he was attracted to you?"
Danara: "I don't know. It all happened so fast. He just blurted it out."
Kes: "He's very blunt. You shouldn't take it personally."
Danara: "How could he possibly have those kinds of feelings about me?"
Kes: "Maybe because you're compassionate person, a brilliant doctor, you appreciate his humour. Shall I go on?"
Danara: "Please don't."
Kes: "One thing you're not very good at is accepting a compliment. The next time someone has something nice to say about you, maybe you should just take them at their word and feel good about yourself."
Danara: "It's not easy to feel good about yourself when you're used to living your life," looking at her real body, "like that."

Kes: "Danara, I can't pretend to know what your life's been like. But I do know there's nothing sadder than a missed opportunity. Maybe what you and the Doctor need is to spend some time together, alone."

Chez Sandrine holoprogram. Paris: "Sounds to me like she might just be shy. I think you scared her off." Doctor: "I did?" Paris: "Your approach is all wrong."

Doctor: "Well, what would be the right approach?" Paris: "Women like romance. They want men to make an effort, take them some place special." Doctor: "Where would I take her?" Paris: "Come with me, Doc. I've got an idea."