Apologies

Chakotay

Tom stood nervously at the door to Chakotay's office. He had publicly apologized to him on A Briefing With Neelix, but he still felt he owed Chakotay one in person; especially since he had made that wisecrack about it being a "certain amount of fun." More often than that wisecracks covered up his real feelings and made things worse.

He pressed the chime to request entry. The door slid open. Chakotay looked up from the PADD he was reading at his desk. "Come in, Tom," he said carefully. "What can I do for you?"

Tom walked over to the desk and assumed the at attention stance he had learned to use even as a child at his father's insistence. Chakotay wondered what had brought Tom to his office. He seemed a little nervous.

"At ease, Tom, have a seat." He gestured towards a chair directly across from him.

Tom took a deep breath and sat down. "Commander, I wanted to apologize to you in person for the way I treated you. I know you had to be offended."

"You were acting under orders, Tom. It was not your fault," he replied.

"I really argued against you being kept out of the loop, but Tuvok insisted." Tom slammed his hand down on the desk. "Tuvok's excuse was lousy. You could have done your part."

"Well, I can't say I was happy about it, but the Captain agreed to the plan," said Chakotay quietly.

"Like I said I apologize for the way I treated you and for the wisecrack I made on A Briefing With Neelix about it being a certain amount of fun. I tend to handle stress and nerves with jokes." Tom looked Chakotay in the eye, wondering how he would respond.

"I accept your apology, Tom. I'm really glad it was just a ruse. You've come a long way from the person you were in the Maquis. I'm glad you beat the odds and made it back to Voyager. I hear Harry's throwing you a welcome home party tonight in Sandrine's," said Chakotay.

Tom smiled. "Yes, he is. I hope you'll be there Commander."

"I will Tom. For two reasons: to celebrate your safe return and to make sure the Maquis know that there are no hard feelings." Chakotay stood up and offered Tom his hand. Tom stood as well and shook hands with him.

"Thank you, sir," said Tom politely. "I'll see you at the party."