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As Janeway and Tuvok leave for a
diplomatic mission aboard a Kadi vessel, Neelix is left in
charge of the Kadi ambassador on Voyager. Meanwhile, the Doctor
determines that Seven of Nine needs the experience of dating in
her socialization training. When he takes her to a holodeck bar
for some practice making small talk with men, Seven buys a
prospective suitor a drink in her usual dry manner. Once Paris
learns what is going on, he makes a bet with the Doctor that
Seven can't find a date for the Kadi ambassador's reception, and
keep him for the entire night.
Knowing he has his work cut out
for him, the Doctor tries to show Seven the importance of shared
interests with a potential date. When he discovers Seven has a
beautiful singing voice, the two engage in a duet of "You Are My
Sunshine." Once her interests are determined, Seven peruses the
ship's manifest for a suitable male and chooses a lieutenant
whom she has worked with before in Engineering. Startled by her
directness, the crewmate agrees to meet her in the holodeck for
dinner.
 When the Doctor tells Paris about Seven's progress, he realizes
the Doctor is infatuated with her. The Doctor denies it, but he
helps Seven fix her hair and pick out a dress to wear. In the
holodeck simulation, he plays the piano as Seven and her date
awkwardly navigate through a lobster dinner and a turn on the
dance floor. When Seven takes the lead and tears a ligament in
the man's arm, the evening is cut short, and she is ready to
give up on dating altogether. However, the Doctor persuades her
to keep trying and takes her onto the dance floor for a lesson.
Seven and the Doctor decide to attend the Kadi ambassador's
reception together, and Seven displays all of her newly learned
social skills. This prompts Paris to admit the Doctor has won
the bet, which angers Seven. She accuses the Doctor of not
having a sincere interest in her development and storms out of
the party. Meanwhile, Neelix is losing control of the
ambassador, who has had too much to drink and makes a scene
before passing out.
The ambassador has a mighty hangover when his superior returns
the next day, but he and Neelix manage to cover up what has
really happened. The Doctor prepares to tell Seven about his
feelings for her, but she comes to him first to thank him for
his guidance. She announces that she will no longer require his
lessons because there is not a suitable mate on board. Crushed,
the Doctor hides his true emotions and returns to the holodeck
bar for a lonely piano tune.
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