Reunion

Disclaimer- I don't own Voyager, Naomi, Icheb, etc.! They belong to Paramount.

Chapter 3: Lunchtime

(Icheb's POV)

My disregard to nutritional needs was misguided. I was looking forward to lunch for two reasons; for the food, and the company. I couldn't help but think it was my fault we didn't remain friends for the last decade. Of course we left on good standards, but there was no reason I couldn't send even a 'little hello' so to speak. But I have been extremely busy all this time, and only got my status as Professor at the Academy little over 2 years ago. I had to graduate myself, and was a 'TA' (which is a Terran term for an assistant to the person giving the lecture) for a period of time.

After briefly meeting Cadet Paris and Wildman outside my door, I took Naomi outside to a place called The Bistro, knowing the lounge wouldn't be sufficient. I had never been there myself, but have heard it is adequate for friends to go.

"For two." I tell the waiter, and he led us through the restaurant to a table beside the front window. He hands us our menus, and asks what we would like to drink.

"Vulcan Mocha, please." She requests, and the waiter glanced at me.

"Just water, thank you." I mutter. "Vulcan Mocha?"

"What? Harry told me about them. They're very tasty." She says, defending her choice of drink.

"Is bland?" I asked.

"Isn't all Vulcan food?" She says with a smirk, and I realize this was a senseless question.

"I suppose I have accumulated a taste for spice" I mumble, and scanned the menu. They only had Earth food, it was a wonder she could get something Vulcan here. I decide on French Onion soup, something Neelix had made once, of course with his own twist. I looked up at Naomi. She too was deciding on her meal, biting her lip as she read down the padd. I notice she styled her hair so it would cover her forehead, and with curiosity I ask, "Why do you conceal your Ktarian features?" She looks up at me, apparently at a loss of words. "I'm sorry if I offended yo-"

"No!" She interrupts "I just... was shocked at your question. I guess, I want to look more human."

"But it's what makes you unique." I say, and knew I upset her by the way she ducked her head so suddenly.

"I know..." She replies, hardly audible. "But I forgot some people value that."

"I regret troubling you..." I apologize.

"It's fine." She says, sighing. "I should have expected it."

"Expected what?" I ask, confused. She looks up again, seemingly concerned.

"I know you of all people like what's different. I shouldn't have to hide it around you."

"You don't have to be an altered person around me. I was just curious." I conclude. She was about to say something else but the waiter came back and asked if we had decided on what we wanted to eat.

"I'll have Macaroni and Cheese." She tells him.

"French Onion Soup." I order, he took the padds and left, but a presence still remained at our table.

"Naomi Wildman." A voice similar to mine, but feminine conveys.

"Seven!" Naomi exclaims, she leaped out of her chair to embrace her. Also alike myself, she gradually received the crushing hug Naomi gave her.

"Icheb," she began, acknowledging me with a simple nod. "It is good to see you too." I noticed Chakotay at her side; he smiled at me and patted me on the shoulder. Naomi finally let go of Seven but accepted Chakotay in equal standards.

"Likewise." I say to Seven.

"Can we sit with you?" Chakotay asks, and gestured to the waitress.

"Sure, why not?" Naomi says before I could speak, and the waitress pulled up another table and two chairs to ours.

(Naomi's POV)

After all of us sat down, except Icheb of course, who remained seated, we started to chat about what happened after Voyager came home and we went our separate ways. I noticed the rings on both of their fingers, and exclaimed "You're married?"

They both sheepishly grinned and confirmed it.

"So you both live there?" I ask.

"Yes." Seven replies, smiling at Chakotay. It seems she has become more accustomed to Human behavior than Icheb.

"What about you? It seems you're caught up with our history, what have you been up to since Voyager returned?" Chakotay questioned of me. I thought of this for a second- not much hashappened.

"Well, after my Mother and I went to Deep Space Nine and stayed with my Father awhile, I became friends with a younger girl on the station named Molly. Apparently there was a school before, but the Bajorans didn't like what the teacher taught. Eventually I was tutored in Starfleet subjects by various people- and as soon as I could, returned to Earth to join Starfleet. But I haven't been able to attend the Academy until recently, about a week ago actually." I explain. "How come Icheb hasn't mentioned what he's been doing this past decade?" I ask, and our food came, like on a cue.

"I require nutrition. I cannot participate in irrelevant conversation." He tells me, and broke the cheesy skin on his soup.

"It's not irrelevant, right Seven?" Chakotay asks.

"I do not find idle chatter as tedious as I once did." She replies.

"Oh come on! It's a simple elaboration of our past activities!" I tease, digging into my macaroni.

"In other words, small talk." Icheb mumbles between bites.

"Fine, have it your way." Chakotay concludes.

"Chakotay, what time is it?" Seven asks, concerned.

"Uh oh, I think almost 1215 hours. We better go..." he responds.

"Where are you two headed?" I ask.

"An... appointment." Seven says, the first time she hasn't been at ease since they arrived.

"I'll see you two on Voyager" Chakotay says in farewell.

"You're inviting us?" I ask, smiling.

"Of course, Voyager's 10 year reunion is in 3 weeks..." He responds.

"I completely forgot!" I exclaim.

"You have now reacquired the knowledge." Seven reminds me.

"We will see you in 3 weeks then." Icheb says.

"Thank you both, for dropping in." I say, waving.

"It was merely a coincidence." Seven tells me, waving back. They left the restaurant, hand in hand.