The BLTS Archive- Vote of Confidence
by Bridget Cochran (bjcochran@aol.com)

---

Disclaimer:  I own the ideas, Paramount owns the rest.

Archive wherever:  ASC/EML, BLTs and envoy's C/7 happening.

Thanks to all my beta buddies.  Without them, I am nothing.

---

Chakotay walked with Seven to the lift, and ultimately to the
Astrometrics Lab.  The modifications she had made to the Lab had to be
reviewed and approved by him before they went on line.  He wasn't the
one to review and approve any of her work.  She was the X-Borg
engineer.  He was the bureaucrat.  But he, Tuvok or Janeway had to
review and approve any major improvements to any major ship's system.
It was protocol.

Seven knew that Chakotay was not qualified to approve her work, and
she was not pleased.  Tuvok, however, was observing a Vulcan holiday
sequestered in meditation.  Janeway used various excuses to back out
of the inspection.  Ultimately, Chakotay knew she only needed the one
excuse she didn't voice.  She wasn't in the mood.

The hard stare and the raised brow was hard to avoid as they waited in
silence for the turbolift.  With a stalwart sigh, Chakotay met the
barely tolerant blue eyes with his own deep brown ones.  "Something on
your mind?"

"Nothing of relevance."

The lift opened and Chakotay waited for Seven to precede him.
"Astrometrics Lab," they called in unison.  Chakotay smiled, Seven's
frown enlarged.  Chakotay wiped his face of any trace of amusement.

"Seven," he tried again.

She turned her disdain to him.  "Yes?"

"You're angry."

"I am displeased."

"You don't want me to approve you upgrades."

"On the contrary, I wish the improvements to be approved," she said,
leaving the lift the moment the door slid aside.

"But you object to me giving the approval," Chakotay said as he caught
up with her, his stride matching hers.

She spared him only a brittle look.  "If you were qualified to approve
the improvements I would have no objections."

He sighed, and grabbed her arm to stop her.  "Look, Seven, say what's
on your mind?"

"You will not censure me?"

Chakotay scratched behind his ear.  Dealing with Seven was getting no
easier as she became more familiar with her humanity.  Her wish to
understand was becoming as complicated as human emotion was
complicated.  "I won't censure you.  I'm asking you frankly."

"I am having difficulty understanding Chain of Command.  The structure
is superfluous to ship improvements.  When improvements are required
they should be implemented without delay.  The time lost due to the
incessant approvals required is a waste of resources."

It was an effort not to smile.  Seven would never give it up.  She had
been trained to act in the best interests of the collective and she
was still doing it, to a certain extent, on behalf of Voyager.

"Seven, I've explained the necessity for Chain of Command to you."

"You have."  The dismissive tone grated on Chakotay.

"We are alone here in the Delta Quadrant.  Our resources are finite
and they have to be coordinated with other departments."

"I am aware of our position in the Delta quadrant and of the use of
resources."  She walked away from the commander in the direction of
the Astrometrics Lab.

Great, Chakotay, when in doubt, condescend.  He jogged to catch up
with her, grasping her elbow to stop her.

"Did you ever think I was sent to do the job because the captain
trusts you?"

The brow was up again, the look the same blessed irritation.  She
glanced at the brown fingers that gripped her forearm and again up
into the commander's eyes.  "Why do you say that?"

"Seven, you could tell me that the Astrometrics Lab would benefit from
being hooked up to Neelix's refrigerator and I'd believe you.  I know
enough about science to surround myself with people who know more."

There was no change in her expression.  Now Chakotay rubbed his neck.
"Seven, we agreed five years ago to follow Starfleet protocol for the
trip home.  It keeps order and gives us a common purpose.  But in this
case, it's a formality.  That's why I'm doing it.  It's the captain's
way of maintaining protocol, but she's sending the least effective
person to do it.  It **is** a vote of confidence."

She stared at him for long moments, weighing his words.  Chakotay
wanted to lick his lips, but raised his chin under the scrutiny.

"Very well," she said, at last.  She moved to turn away, but stopped.
Chakotay swallowed when she looked down at his hand still gripping her
forearm.  He didn't release it immediately, just stared at the blunt
fingers that grasped the delicate bones of her wrist.  The he watched
them slowly unfold from the wrist with fascination.  He looked up at
Seven, who was watching the same process, her eyes full of wonder, her
lips parted as if to speak.  She closed them.  That was it.

"I have extended the reach of the astronavigational array by thirty
parsecs," she said as she turned from Chakotay to trip the doors to
the Astrometrics Lab.

Chakotay followed slowly, admiring the flush of color high on her
cheek bones and the depth of the breaths she took.  His fingers tugged
his ear as a smile crept onto his lips and dimples were born.  He
followed her into the lab.

---

The End