"B'Elanna, are you sure that this is okay?" Kathryn asked again for the fifth time and tried to ignore the whistles they were all receiving as they walked down one of the spacial hub's walkways -- So much for living in the future.
"For the last time, Kathryn, YES," B'Elanna stopped for a second. "So what happened between you and Chakotay tonight?" She grinned.
"What do you mean," Kathryn was fumbling for a better line than that.
"Didn't you see the way he looked at you? Felt the way he was touching you? Oh I've hit a nerve," she started up again.
"I hope Neelix will find his way," Kes' worried voice spoke up.
"It is *not a nerve . . . I do not have a nerve, B'Elanna . . . especially when it comes to Chakotay," Kathryn stated passionately.
"What if he didn't get the proper directions? I don't see him anywhere, do you? " Kes continued.
"Yes you do," B'Elanna argued.
"Or what if he gets mugged . . . do you think that could happen here?" She asked.
"No I do not. You know who has a nerve for someone? You do. For my Pilot," Kathryn goaded.
"Do not," B'Elanna's voice rose sharply.
"Do so," Kathryn laughed.
"Neelix!" Kes cried out loud running into his arm. The short Talaxian man had come confusedly around the corner.
"Sweeting!" He kissed her soundly on the cheek. "I couldn't find my way, I think I took a wrong turn around level eight or so . . . I can't be sure . . ." his thoughts trailed off as he noted the other two women. "Lieutenant Torres! And, oh!" he gasped, "what do we have here? Captain Janeway herself! As your morale officer I am enthralled that you made it here tonight!"
Kathryn folded her arms and pursed her lips amused, "Well, thank you Neelix."
"There had been some rumors," he stated undaunted. "That you had quite the time getting here . . . something about the Doctor with two heads and yelling involving Commander Chakotay that could be heard all the way down the corridor?"
"Ah, Neelix . . . let's get going shall we," B'Elanna grabbed Kathryn's arm and dragged her along. None of the small group noticed the figure standing in the shadows, watching them.
The party was in full swing. Most of the Voyager crew had rented out rooms in what seemed to be a large scale hotel. Doors were open down the expanses of hallways as people moved from location to location, socializing, drinking and doing some . . . other . . .downtime things. Janeway couldn't believe it, this was her crew?! She smiled and memories of their unique past experiences, of their rich personalities overwhelmed her emotions. Yes, this was her crew . . . She felt as if she blended in and was, for once, happy with the damn dress that B'Elanna had replicated for her. She was only slightly disappointed that Chakotay hadn't really seemed to notice.
"'Lanna!" Tom rushed forward and picked her up causing B'Elanna to yell at him. "Captain," he nodded shifting Torres to go over his shoulder like a sack of grain from Indiana. "Take a beer, join the crowd," he turned away and Kathryn was left with B'Elanna smiling at her over Tom's shoulder. She watched as Neelix and Kes intermingled with the crowd and suddenly she realized she was . . . alone. Her feet wouldn't move forward and her mind went blank with what to do next.
She was surprised when Harry walked towards her with what resembled an alien form of a can of beer -- probably the one Tom had referenced to -- in his hand for her. "I don't know about you, but it always takes me a while to get used to this sort of thing," he explained.
"Agreed," she stated pleased she wasn't the only one feeling that way. "I didn't really have time for many parties at the academy. I was so busy working on my studies and getting things done for Admiral Paris that I couldn't afford the time for such 'luxuries'," she smiled but felt only slightly regretful. It was her hard work and dedication that had gotten her here . . to this party with an extraordinary crew . . . in the delta quadrant -- for better or worse. 'Oh if only this were at home,' she paused with the thought. "What about you, Harry?"
"Me? Well, I've always been more interested in things like music concerts, the symphony, books -- that's why Libby and I got along so well. We met over a book," his eyes were far away as he stated that.
"You'll have to tell me about that sometime," Kathryn offered.
"I'd be glad to," he looked over as Jenny Delaney and Neelix waved at him, "Uh, will you excuse me? I have to go settle a bet. He smiled at the funny look he got, "I'll explain that one later, too." Not more than a foot away, he said, "Oh and Captain . . . Commander Chakotay is down the hallway, Room five-o-three - with Kes, Tom and B'Elanna."
Kathryn put her weight on one leg, lifted her hand to her mouth as she thought on that.
CONTINUED IN PART 15
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