Tuvok sat on the edge of the bathtub and looked at his frustrated Captain. He was very aware that she was embarrassed, angry, nervous and . . . frightened, though she would never admit to it. He did not let his gaze alter for a second as she shook her head. "Perhaps," he offered, "it is not as bad as you think."
"Tuvok, you can't be serious. I'm not one to debate fashion but," she stood, "this isn't exactly up to Captain protocol."
"But your role as Captain does not apply to this 'outing,'" he stated. "On my way in I noticed that B'Elanna Torres and Kes were both wearing outfits similar in design. As were several other crew members leaving Voyager. What exactly *is* wrong with your replicated garment under the current situation then?"
"It's just . . . just . . ." Kathryn pulled down at the skirt of the dress that went above the knees to mid-thigh " . . . too revealing. I don't like it."
"I am sure Lieutenant Torres would be willing to come to some other alternative for a garment, Captain," he suggested knowing that that wasn't what was concerning her at heart.
"It's not that Tuvok," she paced as best she could amidst the bathroom. "I don't want to disappoint her, or Kes . . . as much as I'm dreading some aspects of this . . ." she smiled with thought, "they're trying hard to make it all happen."
"Then I propose that you try as well, Captain -- like you have wanted to. Many times, it is hard to derive a different path from the one we have always chosen to follow. We become comfortable with the boundaries and uniformities that are set up for us in order to function on a day to day basis. But although these things can prove aidful, sometimes they can cause us great harm as well. It is important that we never lose sight of change . . . or of how diverse and exciting our existences can be in all shapes or forms."
"I once told Harry something like that," she continued when Tuvok's eyebrow raised. "'It's so easy to become jaded . . . to treat the extraordinary like just another day at the office. But sometimes there are experiences that transcend all of that.'" She sat down by Tuvok, knowing that she had an answer on what to do next.
Tom Paris leaned against the bar's glazed, wooden counter next to Harry. They were sipping drinks and watching Chakotay finish up a successful round of Pool with an Alien whose species they were unfamiliar with. The cue hit rounded surface, landing the eightball directly into a side pocket. Chakotay thanked his partner and moved towards his friends.
"Where are they," Chakotay grimaced worried that something had happened. "They're two hours overdue."
"I'm sure that this isn't the first time Harry has been stood up," Tom smirked and got an evil glance from Ensign Kim, his best friend.
"Thanks, Tom," he said sourly . . . "but I'm sure rejection is more your forte than mine -- seeing as how *I'm not waiting for anyone."
Chakotay chuckled and turned abruptly as a female hand slowly slunk across his shoulder from behind him. He turned abruptly around and felt a pain in his heart, that he couldn't understand, when he discovered it was an alien woman . . . a very attractive alien woman . . . but not his type. 'Just what *is* my type," he thought to himself before gently taking her hand, kissing it softly and shaking his head, "Sorry," he stated and felt bad for the woman. "I'm waiting . . . for someone." The loud dance music boomed against his skull making it hard for him to concentrate.
"Geez, Chakotay! That's the fourth one in less time than it takes Neelix to find a Leola root. Quite the ladies man . . . I can relate," he laughed and started to take a sip but began choking on the drink unexpectedly.
Harry and Chakotay grabbed Paris by his arms and inquired, "What is it Paris?"
Tom gasped for air, making a loud noise as the air entered his throat. He pointed and rasped, "The . . Captain!"
Harry looked up as Torres, Kes and the Captain walked towards them amidst the bar. People seemed to move, like the parting of the seas in biblical texts, as the three women walked forward.
"My . . . gawd," Harry's voice was a level too high.
CONTINUED IN PART 13!
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