Hey there, I'm back already.
(I know how annoying it is when someone's updates are as far apart as a vulcan's ponn farrs)
I hope I've stayed true to character (ish) here, except for the well-meant 7-bashing. (if it helps, she will get her revenge later ;) )

…..

B'Elanna stormed out of the brig, and was about to jump in a turbolift when Chakotay caught her arm.

"What do you want?" she spat.

Chakotay let go of her arm,

"Just to apologise- I shouldn't have punished you and not 7."

"Well, at least she's in the brig. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to our Qovpatlh of a captain."

"Hey!" Chakotay said authoritatively, "Be nice. I suppose you heard about the away mission."

"Surprisingly, yes. Sometimes I think Tom's the only loyal person on this ship. So who's going?"

"Yeah," Tom grinned, "C'mon Chakotay, spill the beans- all I know is that it's B'Elanna, 7 and I, because the captain told me to tell them."

"Well, neither of you is going to like this- It's You, 7, B'Elanna, Harry and I."

B'Elanna groaned,

"Sorry, can't go, I'm allergic to petaQs."

"And I'm allergic to your bad moods, I'll have the doctor prepare us both a hypospray." Chakotay returned.

Tom took over, calmer than B'Elanna but still annoyed.

"Commander, look, maybe it'd be better if B'Elanna and I stayed here. Harry and I haven't exactly been seeing 'eye to eye', nor have B'Elanna and… well, anyone… so maybe we should just not go. I mean, Neelix…"

"Sorry Tom, it's all of us or none of us, Captain's orders."

Tom sighed, Chakotay groaned, B'Elanna roared… the captain, who was on her way to break the news to Tom and B'Elanna personally, hid.

…..

A few days later, and the away mission had arrived. The team met in the shuttlebay.

"Seven," B'Elanna spat, accompanied by a nod.

"Lieutenant," the Borg drone nodded in return.

Harry and Tom looked at each other, "Ready?"

"No." Tom replied.

Chakotay walked in, "Jeesh, I told you guys to be friendly, not passive aggressive."

"Shut it, Chakotay," B'Elanna snapped.

She was perhaps the only one who could get away with speaking to him like that. He was about to retaliate when the captain walked towards them. B'Elanna clenched her fists.

"Captain," she said through gritted teeth.

The rest of the group greeted her, and even though their dislike for her was masked better than B'Elanna's, she could sense hostility from each and every one of them.

"I just came down here to wish you luck, and to set some ground rules: rank and role is the same as on voyager. No one disobeys orders. No one kills anyone. You all come back in one week, in one piece. Understood?"

The away team nodded and murmured and growled. The captain left quickly.

…..

On the shuttle, headed to the M class planet, Chakotay had an idea. He called everyone to the miniature bridge of the delta flyer.

"What do you WANT, Chakotay?" B'Elanna grumbled, "Tom and I are meant to be sleeping."

Seven raised an eyebrow, "Lieutenant Torres- if you are meant to be sleeping, then surely you shouldn't have been…"

"Again, Seven?" B'Elanna snapped, "What is wrong with you?! Are you jealous, or just perverted? In fact, I don't care. ONE MORE comment about mine and Tom's love-life and you'll find yourself floating outside an airlock."

B'Elanna raised her hand and Chakotay grabbed her wrist, before she could break Seven's nose. The half-Klingon flexed her arm and jerked her fist backwards, slamming it into Chakotay's face. Crack! It made contact with his nose- which began to pour with blood. B'Elanna gasped, holding her hands over her mouth.

"Chakotay!" she exclaimed, aghast, "I am SO sorry!"

Chakotay stood up straight, holding his nose. Tom handed him a hypospray.

"Lieutenant. Perhaps we should take this elsewhere?"

B'Elanna nodded and followed him from the bridge. Seven smirked at them.

"Seven, wipe that smirk off your face."

Tom and Harry sniggered.

…..

"B'Elanna," Chakotay sighed, annoyed, "I know Seven can be irritating at times, but you can't break her nose. No matter what."

"How about her jaw? That'd shut her up and I'm sure…"

"NO! Lieutenant Torres, I'm making this official. One more broken bone, or any violence, for that matter, and believe me you won't like the consequences."

She wouldn't look him in the eye, she was embarrassed. He didn't normally tell her off.

"Yes, sir," B'Elanna muttered.

Chakotay wouldn't let her get away with it that easily,

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

"Yes Sir," B'Elanna replied, louder.

Her cheeks burned with humiliation as she headed back to her quarters. Tom appeared and followed her.

…..

When Tom got to their shared temporary quarters, B'Elanna was already in bed. He knees were curled up to her chest and her head rested in her hands.

"Hey," he whispered, climbing into bed behind her.

She rolled over to look at him. A small smile formed on her face as she did so.

"Hey, you."

"Seven was outta line…"

"Seven's a bitch," B'Elanna smirked.

Tom raised an eyebrow,

"Why, you were hardly little miss innocent, were you?"

B'Elanna scowled at him.

"So, what? I don't want to be on this death mission, Tom…"

She cuddled up to him and rested her head on his chest. He turned is head so he was nestled into her hair, planting little kisses on the top of her head. This little, loving gesture made her feel better. But Tom wanted to make sure she knew where everyone stood.

"You know you're the main offender here, right? Well, no, I said that wrong, you just…"

"I have fallouts with most crewmen. But I apologise- unless its Seven. Seven usually deserves it."

"True," Tom smiled, "One more comment about… ahem… 'noise' and I'll let you throw her out an airlock."

"Oh, very chivalrous. You don't even offer to help."

"You deserve the revenge more than me. You are amazing, B, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"And YOU are excellent at talking your way out of trouble."

"AND I have a plan- I am just too good."

…..