The BLTS Archive - One Lousy Day by Jennifer Presley (jlpresley@aol.com) --- Disclaimers: Paramount owns them, and they can have 'em-I'm done playing with them. (Well, I own one character, but I'm feeling generous, so I'll share him with PM as they have so *graciously* shared their characters with us!) Author's Note: This story is technically incomplete, as there was a lot more I wanted to do with it. But it will remain as it is-I'm bowing out of the fanfic business. I would like to say thank you to all who have read my stories, and a big thanks to all who took the time to grant me feedback. I'll miss you all! --- The day started out, just like any other day. That is, for any other day on a ship traveling through an unknown area. Nothing about the day seemed any different from the previous 1532 days that Voyager had traveled in the Delta Quadrant. In fact, for once, it had been relatively smooth sailing for the intrepid crew. That is, until Ensign Christian Kelly walked into the mess hall, and the repercussions of this entrance would reverberate throughout the entire ship. "Good morning, Ensign!" Neelix's voice echoed cheerfully through the room. "And what can I get you this morning? Perhaps some leola cakes? A nice side of da'la eggs?" Kelly hesitated before answering. "Actually, Neelix, I had hoped for something a little more...sedate this morning." He didn't want to hurt the Talaxian's feelings, but just the thought of the combination of leola root and da'la eggs was enough to make him lose his appetite. "Do you have any oatmeal?" Neelix frowned, thinking hard. "As a matter of fact, I have some that I can warm up for you that is left over from yesterday." He looked up. "Would that be okay?" Sighing gratefully, Kelly nodded. "Of course, Neelix. I would appreciate that, as long as you don't mind." "Mind? Of course I don't mind!" Neelix turned and started rummaging through a stack of containers next to the stove. "Why don't you just get something to drink, and I'll bring your breakfast right out to you." He barely noticed as the Ensign moved away, nodding. "Now, where did I put that?" Neelix mumbled. "Aha! Here it is." He opened the sealed container, and perused the contents before dumping it into a small pan. Placing the pan on the stove, he began to stir the contents as they heated. "Hmm...this just looks so, so bland. Maybe if I just added some leola root..." He dumped a handful into the pot, along with a couple of pinches of cinnamon. "There, that looks ever so much better! Now, I'll just let it simmer for a few moments." "Good morning, Neelix." The Captain's voice intruded into his consciousness, and he whirled around. "Captain, Commander! I'm sorry I didn't see you there." Neelix moved back to the counter, a wide smile on his face. "What would you like this morning? How about pancakes and eggs?" The two commanding officers shared amused glances before nodding. Chakotay spoke. "That would be fine, Neelix, though just the pancakes for myself please." "Of course, of course." Neelix quickly grabbed two trays, and dished out the food. Placing a mug of his ersatz coffee on each, he handed them over. "Here you are. Enjoy!" Captain Janeway smiled. "Thank you, Neelix." She turned to leave, before looking back at him. She sniffed cautiously. "Is something burning, Neelix?" Leaning to one side, she saw flames erupt from a pan on the stove. "Neelix-the stove is on fire!" "Oh no, my oatmeal!" Neelix rushed over to the stove as the emergency system activated with alarms blaring, and water began spraying onto the burning appliance. Chakotay, in the meantime, had dropped his tray on the counter, and run around to help. "Neelix, find a lid for the pan!" Chakotay grabbed a towel and slapped at the dying flames. The noxious smoke was choking, and he felt his eyes watering. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Talaxian move towards the stove, holding the lid as if it were a shield. "Hurry!" He spoke too late, though, as the mixture exploded, showering him and the smaller man with flaming clumps of oatmeal. "Damn!" Neelix howled his outrage, and began hopping around the kitchen, stomping on the burning remains of Ensign's Kelly's breakfast. Finally, the fire was out, and he sank to the floor, staring in shock at his destroyed kitchen. "Oatmeal, it was just oatmeal..." Unnoticed, Captain Janeway had grabbed a first aid kit and began administering pain relievers to both men. "Neelix, what did you put in that oatmeal?" Her concerned gaze swept both men, assessing their injuries. The Talaxian was in shock, and barely acknowledged the crewmembers that had arrived and were lifting him to his feet. "Nothing, Captain, I swear! It was just oatmeal, cinnamon, and well, a little bit of leola root." Chakotay snorted, holding a damp cloth to a burn on his face. "How much is a little bit, Neelix?" Their small group left the mess hall, headed towards sickbay. He flinched as Janeway carefully wrapped her arm around his waist, supporting him as he limped. A sizable area on his right thigh had been scorched, and he felt the pain slowly easing from the hypo she had given him in the mess hall. "Only two handfuls, Commander." Neelix stammered. "I apologize, I didn't mean for this to happen, Captain Janeway. I've destroyed the kitchen...and Commander Chakotay, I'm so sorry." Nodding, Janeway soothed him. "It's okay, Neelix. I know." She smothered an insane urge to grin. "We'll repair the damage, though we'll have to restock the aluminum stores first in order to finish it." A lone figure watched the group entering the sickbay, before mournfully whining to himself. "What about my breakfast?" --- "From now on, Commander, I would suggest that you avoid any more confrontations with flaming comestibles." The Doctor smirked, clearly enjoying his wit. He finished his ministrations to the last of the burns before stepping back. "There you go, you're as good as new, though you'll want to be careful of that leg today, the tissue damage was severe and it may cause some pain." Chakotay gingerly swung his legs over the edge of the biobed. "Understood, Doctor. Thank you." He climbed down, and tested the leg. "It's not too bad, but I'll heed your warning." The Doctor snorted. "From what I've seen of this crew, I highly doubt that." He walked away, shaking his head as Captain Janeway reentered Sickbay. She glanced around for a moment, before heading towards Chakotay. "All better, Commander?" The gleam in her eyes betrayed her amusement. "Yes, Captain." He nodded. "The EMH was his usual efficient self, as always." Janeway sighed. "Oh well..." Chakotay frowned. "Captain?" "And I was so looking forward to kissing it, and making it feel better..." She leered at him playfully. "Maybe next time!" Then she turned on her heel, and sauntered out of Sickbay, stopping only to give him one last grin before the door shut behind her. Chakotay stared after her in amazement, his lower jaw hanging to mid-chest. --- The End