Chapter 1 || Contents || Chapter 3

Harry Kim gazed across the intimately familiar faces of several crewmembers seated in the mess hall. Well, he thought in resignation, if I have to be stuck in the Delta Quadrant, at least I'm stranded with interesting people. And speaking of which.... His eyes returned to his two table partners, one of whom was grinding her teeth in frustration.

Would you look at this list! B'Elanna Torres slapped the data padd on the table. He wants sauteed ham hocks with buttered maize and yellow sweetbread. What in Klagg's breath is buttered maize? How am I supposed to cook it when I don't even know what it is! Her sentence ended in a roar.

Tom Paris looked on Torres' tantrum in amusement. Next time you'll know better than to make a bet with Chakotay. Especially where the captain is concerned. He carefully sipped a spoonful of hot tomato soup, the recipe of which he'd had to program into the replicator himself before it came out palatable.

Harry looked at Paris in confusion. What do you mean, especially where the captain is concerned?

Oh, Tom's eyebrows rose to his hairline, let's just say that she smiles at him an awful lot.

Harry was still confused. She smiles at everybody. What's that got to do with it?

With an enigmatic grin, Paris answered, They're going to be an interesting couple to watch.

Harry's eyes widened in suprise. Couple? They're not a couple! Where did you ever get that idea?

C'mon Harry. The commander's had his eye on the captain since she said 'Beam on over.'

Kim shook his head in denial. You're crazy, Tom. You've spent too much time thinking on duty instead of working. The captain and the commander are no more than... good friends by proximity. They get along as an example for the rest of us.

Are you talking about Commander Chokotay and the captain? Kes placed a plateful of pink fluffy leaves rather resembling a salad before Harry, who eyed it with a less than enthusiastic expression. The Ocampan leaned forward almost conspiratorially. They've been eating together a lot lately. What to you think it means?

Paris gladly replied, I think -

Harry irritably stabbed a fork at his lunch. I think she just wants some decent conversation. Something she can't find amoung the rest of us.

A low growl issued from his right as B'Elanna snarled, Will you three stop gossiping and help me? Where am I supposed to find this stuff? I can't use my replicator rations for all this food.

Paris once again came to her rescue. Maybe you should ask the captain for a ration extension. I'm sure she'd understand.

Just as Torres winged a well-aimed dinner roll at Paris' forhead, a distinctly familiar voice rang over the table, What would I understand?

Captain! Torres blurted, swinging around to the source of the voice. I didn't see you come in.

I figured as much, or I doubt Mr. Paris would have butter smeared across his forehead. Janeway glanced at Tom with an amused grin.

B'Elanna looked guiltily in the lieutenant's direction and sent out a silent cry of help to her crewmates.

Kes gracefully straightened from her leaning position and rocked back on her heels. How is your day off going, Captain?

Janeway's grin grew wider as she took in Torres' pained expression and Kes' smooth transition of the subject. There were so many different personalities on the ship, all with complimenting strengths and weaknesses. All she had to do was sit back and watch them play out. It's been very pleasant so far, thank you. I slept late, soaked in the bathtub, read a fascinating tale over a quiet breakfast, and....

And now you're bored, Paris finished as he wiped the last of the butter from his eyebrow.

To tears, she admitted with a small grin.

Have you tried the holodeck? Kim muttered around a mouthfull of leaves.

Torres piped in, They're off-line today. We're working on creating stronger containment fields within the system. She once again glanced guiltily at the captain. Sorry. If I'd known you were actually taking a day off, I'd have scheduled the tests for a different day.

Janeway raised her hands placatingly. Don't worry on my account. I'm not in the mood for the holodecks anyway. I want something a little more interactive. Unfortunately, everyone else is working.

You could help B'Elanna prepare her meal for... Uff! Paris winced as Torres shoved her boot into his shin.

Before Janeway could react to Paris' slip, Kes chimed, You can help Neelix and me this afternoon, Captain. We're always busy directly after lunch, what with cleaning up and trying to fix the next dinner. We would be more than happy for the help.

Janeway smiled warmly. I'd like that. It will give me a chance to see how things work down here, and visit with you and Neelix. As she turned to follow Kes into the kitchen area, she briefly glanced at B'Elanna's data padd. Ah, he wants sauteed ham hocks. I wondered what the wager was. If you'd like some advice, he likes the sweetbread lightly browned, so it's crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. And be sure to make plenty of sauce. She patted the chief engingeer on the shoulder and glided away from the astonished group.

Torres let her head fall to the table in exasperation while Paris threw an 'I told you so' look in Kim's direction. Harry watched his captain visit animatedly with the Ocampan and shook his head. Captain Janeway has more colors than a Chinese throw rug.

Paris smirked as he rose to return to duty. And I'm sure, given a little time, that Chakotay will be able to name them all in intimate detail.

Chapter 1 || Contents || Chapter 3