Tom Paris sat hunched over the console, an uncharacteristic frown on his face. This was not going according to plan.

"Damn it, Harry this isn't working! I don't get it, the computer should be able to handle it easily enough but it just doesn't look right."

Harry Kim looked around him in bewilderment.

"I don't understand what the problem is. It looks fine to me. Perfect."

"That's the problem," Tom practically shouted in his frustration. "Panto sets aren't supposed to look perfect. They're supposed to be colourful and artificial looking. This all looks too real."

"So have the computer adapt the design to match the database profile for a pantomime set."

Tom favoured his friend with his latest attempt at a death glare and was disappointed when Harry appeared unmoved by the experience. Obviously it still needed some work.

"I've tried that but the profile is sketchy to say the least. It seems Starfleet didn't consider specs for theatre sets to be a vital part of the cultural database."

"Can't you update the profile manually? Or design the sets yourself? If the computer can't produce what you need then maybe you should try making the sets the same way they did them in the past."

Tom sighed and ran his hands through his hair, adding to its already dishevelled appearance.

"And when exactly do you propose that I find time for that? We only have a couple of weeks left to pull this thing together and I already have far too much to do. B'Elanna is starting to complain that she hardly sees me lately, she'll divorce me if I add 'design and make panto sets' to my to do list."

The harassed helmsman lapsed into silence as he pondered the latest catastrophe to afflict his beloved pantomime. Suddenly he leapt to his feet.

"Harry, you're a genius! I can't do this myself but I know the perfect person for the job."

He gave his friend a hearty slap on the back before dashing out of the door, leaving Harry to stare after him in bemusement.

=^=

The ready room door chime sounded. Kathryn bit back a groan as Tom Paris entered carrying a padd. She knew that he was currently off duty so his presence here meant only one thing. Trouble. Of course in this case trouble was spelt P-A-N-T-O-M-I-M-E.

"What can I do for you, Mr Paris?"

"It's about the pantomime, Captain."

"I thought it might be. Is there a problem?"

"Well there was a problem with the sets but I think I have a solution. That's why I'm here."

Kathryn tried to ignore the feeling of doom that was descending on her.

"Explain."

"Well, the computer wasn't able to produce holographic sets that looked right so Harry came up with the idea of making them ourselves. If we make them the traditional way and hand paint them then they'll be just right!"

Kathryn held up her hand to stem the tide of Tom's enthusiasm.

"Exactly how does this involve me, Lieutenant?"

"Well, I can come up with some rough plans of what is needed but I don't have the time or the artistic ability to actually paint the sets. I thought perhaps you."

"If you think I have the time to paint sets for you, you'd better think again!" Kathryn interrupted. "Find someone else to help you out."

"Actually, Captain, it wasn't your help I wanted though I'm sure any time you could spare would be greatly appreciated. What I wanted to ask was whether you could spare your assistant for a while." Tom turned to grin at the diminutive figure standing silently at the captain's side. "Naomi has shown some prowess with a paintbrush and I was hoping she'd be available to help me out, I think she has just the style we need."

Kathryn was taken aback for a moment but soon recovered her composure.

"I think I can spare her if she'd like to help. What do you say, Naomi? Would you like to help Lieutenant Paris with his painting?"

"Yes, Captain! I think it would be great." Naomi was almost dancing with excitement. "Can I start now? Please?"

Kathryn smiled at her youngest crewmember.

"Well there isn't much time so the sooner you get started the better! Go with Mr Paris now and he can show you what he wants you to do."

Naomi ran around the desk, grabbed Tom's hand and began towing him towards the door.

"Thank you. This is going to be so much fun!" Naomi paused for a moment and frowned. "But it might be a lot of work so I guess I'll need some help. You can be my assistant, Captain!"

=^=