The BLTS Archive - Waiting
Chakotay #3: Musings
by Karen (CP4Karen@aol.com)

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Disclaimer: Paramount owns them. I imply no copyright
infringement.

c1999 Karen

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I dread the direction that this meeting is going to take.
I try to stay out of my crew's lives as much as possible
and silently ask the same of them.  But Tuvok has brought
up the fact that efficiency is down, and Ensign Kim's work
time in Astrometrics is up 200% from last month.

Right.

I take another sip and pretend to read the latest personnel
reports.  Actually, I am watching the dynamics between
B'Elanna, Harry and Seven.  Lately, Tom has been there
to diffuse the tension a bit, keeping our Ms. Torres occupied
until we are ready to begin.  Unfortunately, both he and
Chakotay have yet to arrive.

Seven is deeply intent on Harry and whatever he is explaining
on the padd they are holding...and yes, they are *both*
holding the padd.  Harry looks up, face awash with excitement
over whatever bit of engineering magic they are discussing and
is suddenly lost in Seven's eyes.  His mouth drops open and
I am hard pressed not to spit coffee all over the conference table.

Was I ever that young?

Keeping my eyes on my report, I casually clear my throat and
reach for my cup.

Empty.

I frown and start to rise when surprisingly, B'Elanna takes the
cup with a small grin.

"I'm headed that direction, anyway."

Not for the first time I wonder just what is happening with my
chief engineer.  Her break-up with Tom was difficult, but it
*was* her idea.  To say that her affair with Seven was a surprise
is an understatement.  I have to confess that the images of them
together fueled quite a few of my slow-afternoon-on-the-bridge
daydreams. 

I am still smirking like an idiot when she returns.  I manage to
thank her and debate the possibility of sharing a quiet dinner
with a volatile half-Klingon.  I literally jump at a quiet:

"I think I'd like that.  And I'm not nearly as volatile as I used
to be."

I scan the others at the table and realize that no one else has
heard my faux pas.  "B'Elanna--"

She waves away my apology and grins as she returns to her
seat.  The door opens behind us and Tom smiles his way into
the room.  Did I say smile?

The boy is incandescent.  Tuvok, who has entered from the door
leading from the bridge stops and slowly tilts his head a couple of
millimeters to the left.  I snort, and my Vulcan friend realizes
he is staring.

Tom sits next to B'Elanna, patting her arm gently while nodding
to the lovebirds across the table.  It is interesting to watch as
they silently move apart.  It is even more interesting to observe
that their actions have absolutely no impact on our Mr. Paris.
Looking at the shining blue of his eyes and the swollen lips,
I grin.

B'Elanna's reaction is classic.  She throws a quick smile at her
former lover-now friend before beginning to address Neelix, and
then does an absolutely classic double-take.  She grabs him by
the back of the neck and the grilling has begun.

Tom gently extricates himself and shakes his head.

"I don't kiss and tell."

I hold my breath as Harry forgets himself and snorts at his
friend's humor.  Tom's eyes are like lasers; you can see the
acidic retort building.  I am amazed when the fire dies to a
somewhat sad glow.  He gives a half-shrug, returning his
attention to B'Elanna.  Harry watches them for a bit and then
sighs, picking up his padd and his conversation with his lover.

Through it all I sit and wait, wondering if I am insane to think
that I can compete with the possibly renewing interest between
Tom and B'Elanna. 

Well, there's always Chakotay I think, and laugh to myself.
Chakotay, my good and gentle friend, who deserves much more
than I can give him.  The crew has been trying to pair us off
for years and if he had tits like Seven, I might be tempted.

I turn to Tuvok and see him still attentively observing Tom.
I wait for his attention and then lean to whisper in his ear.

"He seems happier today."

"Indeed."

From Tuvok, that is volumes.  I am sure that he is wondering
who the new woman in Tom's life could be, too.  We compare
fuel consumption ratios from the past six months, and I make
a small note to mention them to B'Elanna tonight at dinner.
I am filled with warmth at the thought of spending some down
time with someone other than myself and Vivaldi.

Tom laughs and B'Elanna not-so-gently slaps his arm.  I am
suddenly filled with thoughts of sex and regenerators which
have me thankful that Tuvok is only a touch-telepath.  I begin
to wonder about B'Elanna though, because she lifts her eyes
and gives me a look than would overheat the warp core.
Unfortunately, Tom catches a glimpse.  His head whips towards
me, and he snorts in disbelief.  As other heads turn, he does a
dubious job of covering it with a cough,  but it seems to convince
the others.

B'Elanna lowers her eyes and actually blushes, and Tom quickly
leans over to whisper some bit of nonsense which goes a long way
towards relaxing her. I smile in approval and turn to resume my
conversation with Tuvok....and freeze.

Before I can say anything, my wonderful old friend simply nods
once and suggests that Stellar Cartography move their latest
charting efforts to beta shift in order to equalize power utilization.

Sometimes I love this man.

The door opens behind me and soon there is a warm presence in
the chair to my left.  I turn to greet Chakotay and freeze again.

Well, I'll be damned....

At my smirk, Chakotay frowns and then raises his hand to his
neck.  I begin to grin and just behind my second-in-command,
I see Tom slowly roll his eyes while shaking his head.

"Real subtle, Big Guy..."

That's all it takes.  I begin to laugh and B'Elanna quickly
joins me.  Chakotay looks at me grimly and then melts.
Soon the four of us are in a mild state of hysteria. Tuvok
waits silently, and the smile on Neelix's face is friendly
and confused.

I eventually control myself and sit up to start the meeting.
Seven and Harry are sitting stiffly, obviously clueless as
to the previous laughter.  For some perverse reason that
cheers me to no end. 

I decide to postpone my 'human biology versus bridge
efficiency' talk for another day.  It's obvious that Tom
is on his way to healing, and I'm absolutely ecstatic that
he's taking a certain ex-Maquis along for the ride.
Harry and Seven should be fine, and for the first time in
for*freaking*ever I am feeling a bit...antsy.

I smile and ask Tuvok to begin with the items that he
has to report, and then lean back to watch.  I am pleased
to see that the dynamics in the room have changed this
morning; it has been a while since any of us have really
been comfortable in each other's presence.

We're getting there.

I see B'Elanna peek under the table and then grin at me.
Tom is growing redder by the minute and his lover's
dimples are out in full force.  Oh well, as long as they
at least pretend to pay attention, I am willing to let it
slide this time.  Besides, alpha shift promises to be
entertaining for the first time in way too long.  Since
I have dispensed with two-thirds of the agenda, the
meeting is soon over.

Tuvok exits, closely followed by Neelix who is chattering
happily.  I have a brief picture of the pair and a romantic
dinner for two, and snort.  I don't think so.

Harry and Seven have headed out for operations, and Tom
is busily assuring B'Elanna of some fact of life.  I watch
him nod avidly in counterpoint to the shaking of her head.
There is a quick jab to his left arm and she is out of the
door to the Bridge.

"Pig!"

Tom turns, absently rubbing his arm.  Chakotay and I look
at each other in amusement.

"So I take it congratulations are in order, gentlemen?"

Chakotay blushes darkly.  "Well--"

Tom intervenes before Chakotay has a stroke.  "In my
opinion, Captain, that would be a definite 'yes'." 

I nod my approval and begin to rise.

"By the way, Captain, she likes roses, chocolate, and
has a hidden vice for gothic novels."

Thinking of my hours spent with the Brontes, I smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Paris.  That may prove handy to know."

Chakotay's eyebrows meet his hairline, but he remains
silent.  I can see the wheels turning though, and smile
gently.

Nodding, I turn to enter the Bridge and smile as I hear
the soft sounds of a kiss.  They'll be good for each other
I think as the three of us take our places, and then choke
at my second's wince and small grunt upon sitting.

"Well done, Mr. Paris."

He whirls in his seat.  "Thank you, Captain.  I was
positively inspired."  I see looks here and there as
the rest of the crew wonders what the hell is going on.

There is a low mumbling from my left and I chuckle.
Looking to the helm I say, "You know, turnabout is
fair play," and watch the resulting small shudder.  The
mumbling beside me turns into a rather evil chuckle.

I lean back and begin my day's work.  I realize that
things have grown a bit lax on the Bridge, but also
realize that this is no longer just a crew.  They've
become family and friends.  My eyes rest for a moment
on a beautiful brunette, and smile as she grins.  I gasp
as she licks her lips.

Gods...

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The End