Naomi Wildman grinned as Kathryn Janeway and Commander Chakotay passed her in the corridor, walking side by side on their way to meet with the Ambassador of the planet they were currently in orbit of. They didn't even notice her, both completely absorbed in the company of the other to take in their surroundings. It was a wonder they never got lost, Naomi thought.
Smiling to herself Naomi continued down the corridor. She didn't even hear Icheb's footsteps before she crashed squarely into him.
"Icheb! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"Are you ok?" he asked a startled Naomi.
"I'm fine thank you," she replied airily, her attention obviously elsewhere.
"Naomi, is something wrong?"
"Yes," she said decidedly. "But not with me."
"Not with you?"
"Icheb," she said, picking her words carefully, "have you ever noticed anything…weird between Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay?"
"Define weird,"
Naomi sighed and chewed her bottom lip; it was very hard to put into words. "Like, the way she's always touching him, or the way they will both laugh at the same time when no one has said anything funny."
"I can't say I have noticed anything like that."
Naomi let out another sigh. Was it just her who noticed?
"Is it something I should ask the Captain about?" Icheb asked.
"No!" Naomi said, her eyes wide as she grabbed Icheb's arm. "You can't mention anything to anyone. Not until I've worked it out. Promise me, Icheb."
"Ok, I promise."
"Good," she said, letting go of his arm and stepping back. "Just forget I said anything."
"Aren't you meant to be tutored by Neelix right now?" Icheb said completely changing the subject.
Naomi blushed. "I was on my way when…I'm going now" she said quickly before giving him a quick wave and dashing off back down the corridor, "Bye!"
Icheb shook his head but couldn't help the small smile that came to his face. He would never understand that girl.
He made his way to Transporter room 2 where he was to be observing Ensign Jetson, and entered as the Captain and Commander where exchanging greetings with the Ambassador. The Captain introduced herself before turning to the Commander and placing a hand on his arm.
"…and this is Commander Chakotay."
Icheb blinked, he'd never noticed her touch him before. He joined Ensign Jetson behind the controls and shook the thought from his mind; it was nothing.
The Captain was still speaking with the Ambassador. "I hope you find your stay with us enjoyable and feel free to ask any of the crew if you have any problems. We're a very friendly bunch," she said grinning at the Ambassador.
"Thank you for your most kind welcome," he said, looking around the room. "This really is an impressive ship. I feel privileged that you've managed to find time on your long journey to visit us here on Rylax."
"The privilege is ours," the Commander said also grinning at the Ambassadors response to being transported about Voyager.
"This way?" the Captain asked, opening her arm up in a gesture towards the exit to the corridor. The Ambassador smiled and nodded, walking towards the door and exiting first. Captain Janeway turned to the Commander and Icheb's head raised from where Ensign Jetson was describing the functions of each of the buttons on the control pad. Was that a laugh he just heard? Quiet, but undisputedly a small laugh from both of them. Had he missed something?