At Ease Before You Sprain Something

"At ease, Lieutenant." Janeway said softly. Holly relaxed out of the stance, but the tension in her shoulders was still visible to the Captain's keen eyes. "Would you mind explaining to me what happened in Engineering today?"

"There was an… altercation between Ensign Collins and myself, Captain." Holly said formally, not making eye contact.

"I see." Janeway steepled her fingers, nodding at her to continue.

"Gail, I mean, Ensign Peck and I were working on a few alterations to the EPS relay, to improve its efficiency." Holly looked down at her feet, fist clenched defensively. "She had some really great suggestions, Captain."

Janeway nodded, walking around her desk to stand in front of her, but Holly still avoided her gaze.

"I was telling her that, you know? I didn't want her to think we take her for granted."

"That is commendable, Lieutenant." Janeway agreed, waving her on.

"I think Ensign Collins must have been listening in." Holly finally looked at her Captain. "He started making derogatory remarks about her Borg nature, about how she was just a tool to be used and then stored in the cargo bay and I just." Holly's shoulders slumped. "I punched him."

Janeway rubbed her forehead, feeling an incoming headache. "Lieutenant-"

"I know it was wrong of me, Captain, but she just looked so hurt." The sadness in Holly's voice was crystal clear as she remembered the upset look in the blonde's eyes. "I don't think any of them sees it. They don't see…" Holly paused, looking heartbroken.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" Janeway put a hand on Holly's shoulder and, after a moment, she composed herself and gave a listless shrug.

"She's one of us, Captain." Holly bit her lip. "She didn't ask to be assimilated at Wolf 359 and she didn't ask to be disconnected from the Collective. And she's so human, Captain, she wants so much to fit in with us."

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I know the crew is having a hard time adjusting to our Borg members."

"It's been nearly two years, Captain." Holly protested with a frown. "Icheb is a kid, people don't seem to mind him too much, but I know Seven of Nine has been having issues as well."

Janeway nodded, letting out a tired sigh. "I'm aware of that, Holly, but all we can do is try to work with them, show them our Borg crewmembers are a part of our family."

"It would help if they had their own quarters," Holly suggested boldly. "Having to sleep in the cargo bay probably just enforces the crew's view of them as tools instead of people."

Janeway frowned in thought. "I'm sure you're aware we have a shortage of available quarters."

"I could share with Gail, I mean, Ensign Peck!"

The Captain's eyebrow twitched. "Generous of you, Lieutenant Stewart." Janeway deadpanned.

Holly had the grace to blush. "A-and Seven could have the VIP quarters. She is a senior officer, right? So it would be only right. A uniform for her wouldn't go amiss too. Gail wears her biosuit under her uniform, so Seven could do the same. That might make her feel more like a part of the crew."

"I'll take that into consideration, Lieutenant," Janeway said, her mind already whirring with the possibilities. She'd have to ask B'Elanna about making those regeneration units more portable. Perhaps Stewart could help. "As for the matter of your altercation with Ensign Collins…"

Holly straightened, giving the Captain a serious look. "I'll take whatever punishment you see fit, Captain."

"Yes, you will." Janeway leveled a mild glare in her direction. It was slightly unnerving, but not nearly as bad as her infamous force 10 glare was rumored to be. It's said it could fell an Ensign at twenty paces. "Your holodeck privileges are revoked for a month, as well as your replicator rations. For the next week, you'll be confined to quarters. I'm sure you can use that time to help your new roommate settle in."

"Oh, thank you, Captain!" All in all, nothing worse than a slap on the wrist. Plus, it looked like Gail would be living with her from now on.

"This time I'll forego the formal reprimand on your record, but let me be very clear, Lieutenant," the intensity of Janeway's glare bumped up a notch. "This debacle better not happen again or I'm throwing you in the brig. You're the senior Engineering officer for the Beta shift, you should not be partaking in brawls with your subordinates."

Holly gulped, thoroughly intimidated. For such a small woman, the Captain could be positively terrifying. "Yes, ma'am!"

Janeway gave her a long look, as if to ascertain her compliance. "Very well. Dismissed, Lieutenant."

Holly nodded quickly, slapping a formal salute.

She had good news to deliver.

Tumblr prompt: Officer Lunchbox crossover with your favorite tv show (other than Rookie Blue, of course)