"Now that we've finished dinner why don't we sit on the couch? We can go over those reports." He stood and lifted their plates. "I'll make some Turkish coffee, it has some nice spices."

"Coffee with spices?" She repeated warily. "I'm not so sure about that. Coffee should be black, strong and hot. Not subject to tinkering."

"I realize that I'm taking a chance with your holy coffee," he smiled as he glanced over his shoulder to her. "But trust me, try it, you'll like it."

Moving to the couch she sighed, "I'm not so sure about this."

Rolling his eyes he headed back toward her with two small cups of coffee. "Here you go," he handed her a cup and sat next to her. "I guarantee it's black and strong and a small enough quantity that you won't have to sample much, now to those reports."

"I've skimmed engineering," she began before taking a sip of the coffee. "B'Elanna's gong to…" She gasped. "Good lord, what are you trying to do to me? It's nasty." She made a face as she thrust the cup toward him. "It's like cinnamon flavored tar."

"Maybe it's an acquired taste."

"If you ever give me anything but the real thing when I ask for coffee, I'll hurt you."

He chuckled. "I knew I would be taking a chance."

"You knew I'd hate it. This was some kind of a sick joke."

"You wound me. Would I do that to you?"

"You've been spending more time with Tom."

"I'll recycle this," he said as he stood. "Stay here. I'll get you a real cup of coffee."

"You'd better. I may decide the plasma manifolds need cleaned if you don't."

"I'll keep that in mind for later reference." Moving to her side he handed her a mug. "Coffee, madam."

Taking the mug she gave it a sniff before a taste. When it passed the test she nodded. "You're saved for the moment."

FIN

A/N: Alright this was short and sweet {or tar tasting ;-)}, a little break for me as I have been writing the second part to 'A Mother's Love'. I hope to have the first chapter posted by the seventh of November. {Don't quote me!} It is called 'A Mother's Fear' please be on the lookout for it to find out how Kerin and Kyda have grown.