Chapter 10 || Contents || Final Report

The entire crew struggled to get Voyager away from the battle as quickly as possible, but the ship still only managed to limp away at half impulse. Repairs were predicted to take several days. The warp engines and shields were the chief concerns, but more than half the ship's systems were affected by the battle with the Kazon.

Captain Janeway traveled from department to department during the next three duty shifts, assessing the damage, routing emergency rations and supplies to the worst areas, reassigning crew members to fill in for injured personnel, and explaining the battle's outcome numerous times to the disbelieving crew. She felt that saving her first officer that unpleasant duty was the least she could do considering the situation.

But finally even Janeway had to succumb to the exhaustion consuming the crew as repairs slowly progressed. She tumbled into bed twenty hours after their escape, leaving control of the ship in Tuvok's dependable hands. The Vulcan worked as tirelessly as his captain, and when Chakotay relieved his command watch, things were almost back to normal.

If one could call sitting for three days as a derelict in space normal, thought B'Elanna. It had taken the Engineering staff two of the three days to restore power to the warp engines. She and Lieutenant Carey had spent at least half that time pouring over the engine's manual, attempting to compensate for sudden power drains and sporadic readings from the warp core. She surely would have destroyed the engines in frustration several times if it hadn't been for Carey's levelheaded intervention. Fortunately for everyone involved, they were able to get the engines back on line and put some distance between themselves and the battle sight before tempers ruled over common sense. The crew's disposition improved remarkably after that.

But despite the grim situation of the past few days, Commander Chakotay had not forgotten his bet with the lieutenant. He insisted that his dinner be prepared for the same night Neelix scheduled his celebration party on the holodeck. Since she was sure she didn't want to miss any of the party, Torres had argued that the engines needed her far more than his stomach, but he claimed a bet was a bet and the engines, as well as the party, would have to wait.

So half an hour before the festivities were planned to be in full swing, B'Elanna found herself alone in the mess hall kitchen, doing her best not to destroy dinner and the cooking facility at the same time. She shifted the Grugarian chops around once more in the saute pan as fire threatened to consume the entire cooking contraption in Neelix's kitchen. Though the chops were a far cry from the ham hocks of Chakotay's original request, Neelix assured her that he would never notice the difference.

The commander entered the mess hall ten minutes before his scheduled meal time. Where's my ham? he asked immediately, eyeing the chops with a critical eye.

Torres looked at him just as critically. She took in his civilian costume with one quick glance. She hadn't seen him wear anything but a Starfleet uniform since they beamed to Voyager from their own Maquis ship. She grudgingly admitted to herself that he looked good. But she also noticed the dark lines under his eyes that indicated lack of sleep. When she looked even more closely, she saw the tight lines surrounding his lighthearted expression; he was mourning Seska. B'Elanna knew from experience that Chakotay had his own special method for mourning the dead. He would be quiet and keep it to himself, but still she could see his hurt hidden behind the nonchalant Maquis-Starfleet exterior. Torres understood his feelings; she missed Seska too.

At the same time thoughts of Seska were flashing through her mind, she wondered what Captain Janeway would think of her first officer out of uniform. She went on to wonder wryly if she would ever have anybody to dress in civilian clothes for. But then, that did not matter, she told herself firmly.

We didn't have any ham, B'Elanna explained distractedly to his question; besides her uncomfortable thoughts, the bread was browning in a very unconventional oven and she didn't want it to burn.

The deal was for ham hocks, he insisted.

Torres looked up in aggravation. Look, Neelix didn't have ham in his supplies and you said no replicators. What was I supposed to do - dream some ham up out of thin air?

There's not much here - did you make enough for two? he asked next.

B'Elanna sighed. Unless you expect to be some kind of barbaric animal and eat it all yourself, there should be plenty for two people. Three, for that fact, if you could just control your appetite for once.

Chakotay chuckled at her disgruntled tone. You're easier to rile tonight than usual, B'Elanna.

How can you say that after all that's happened? she demanded. Three days straight of nothing but those irritating engines, one day of making sweetbread and maize for you - and I had to remake the bread from scratch -, and you think I'm easy to rile? She dropped the basting spoon she was holding onto the counter. It clattered to the floor just as Tom Paris and Harry Kim entered the mess hall. That's it. The bet's off. You can finish cooking yourself. I'm going to the party! she roared.

What's going on? Tom asked mildly. It wasn't often he witnessed B'Elanna's fabled temper, but he fancied he could see the lieutenant's eyes glint as she glared at the commander.

Torres looked at them and made an effort to rein in her anger. Nothing. We're just - uh - discussing the conditions of...um....

Chakotay allowed himself to come to the struggling Klingon's rescue. The bet, he explained.

How did it go? Harry asked. You didn't destroy anything in the kitchen, did you?

Chakotay choked down a laugh. No, Ensign. All is safe, I think. If we're lucky, it's even ready to serve. He glanced pointedly at B'Elanna.

Lieutenant Torres balked. Hey, that wasn't in the deal. I promised to cook your dinner, not serve it. She looked at her fellow officers. Well Tom, Starfleet. Took you two long enough to get here. I was thinking of going without you, she said, and headed for the door.

Chakotay gave a puzzled glance at Torres. Starfleet?

Harry Kim cleared his throat in consternation. She means me. It's a long story, he assured him, then turned to Torres. Do you want us to stick around in case of a sudden, last minute kitchen fire, Maquis? he joked through gritted teeth. He wasn't at all sure he liked being teased in front of the commander.

Or personal injury to anybody brave enough to eat.... Tom began.

Torres cut him off by grabbing his arm and steering him with a jerk towards the door. Are you coming, Harry? she called to Kim over her shoulder.

The three of them were in such a hurry to depart that they practically ran into Captain Janeway at the door to the mess hall.

Hello, Captain, B'Elanna greeted amiably, though her hand was still wrapped firmly around Tom's upper arm. The captain, she noticed, wasn't in uniform either.

Harry nervously said, We're going to Neelix's party in the holodeck. The statement sounded fairly dumb even to him. It wasn't as if they needed to ask the captain's permission - everybody was going. He briefly wondered why she wasn't already in the holodeck as well. He decided he must still be a little dazed from B'Elanna's teasing.

Unaware of the emotions hidden in the friendly, though rather unusual greeting, Janeway smiled and waved them through the door before her. Have a good time. I'll see you there later.

They headed down the corridor, but Tom turned to walk backwards as he called, Enjoy your dinner. He stumbled when Torres yanked him back around, but felt it was worth it when he caught sight of Kim's astonished expression.

What did that mean? Kim asked the minute the door safely closed behind Janeway.

B'Elanna loosed her grip on Tom when she knew she was safe from the commander, and Tom straightened his black civilian's shirt over his shoulders. Come on, Harry. You're not that naive, he said.

Kim glanced back at the mess hall door. You mean Commander Chakotay and the captain are -

Having dinner like any other normal couple in the Alpha Quadrant. Tom smiled smugly.

What? I don't believe you! Kim challenged.

Believe it, pal. I have the extra cleaning duties to prove it. He grimaced then, his mind turning to the unhappy task of washing more dishes.

B'Elanna raised her eyebrows. You didn't.

Didn't what? Tom asked innocently.

Bet Chakotay that he couldn't talk the captain into having dinner with him.

Tom shrugged. Yeah, bad move, wasn't it? It was a sure looser, but I'm a sucker for a bet, even a bad one.

I'll say, she continued as they entered the turbolift. Who do you think he had in mind when he asked for sweetbread?

Tom sighed.

Harry paused on the threshold of the lift, too stunned to move. Wait a minute. You mean you both knew - Why didn't I figure this out! he exclaimed and eyed his friends as he shook his head. He joined them in the lift, then asked imploringly, Am I missing something?

Deck six, Torres ordered. Then she looked at Harry, and laughed.

Chapter 10 || Contents || Final Report