A/N: Great work Hilary!!
I smiled, "Of course I'll introduce you to my friends! In fact," looking at the chrono on the wall I continued, "I don't think you'll have to wait that long."
As if my words were magical the doors to sickbay suddenly whooshed open revealing two of very people we were discussing.
"Tom, why don't you introduce us?" B'Elana queried, moving to my side possessively.
Surprised that B'Elana would think of Maren as immediate competition, I stiffened. 'Whoa boy! When was I ever annoyed to be the object of competition between females? When did I stop enjoying playing the field anyway?' I thought as I deliberately relaxed.
Smiling at B'Elana disarmingly, I replied, "B'Elana, this is Ensign Maren, formerly of the Starship Nighthawk, now of the Starship Voyager. Maren, meet B'Elana."
Under my breath I added as an aside to B'Elana, "Relax, I'm not picking her up or anything!"
Louder, for everyone to hear, I brought the second person into the fore, "Maren, meet Harry, one of my best friends on this ship. Somehow I think you two will get along swimmingly."
Grinning at my obvious pun, Harry put out his hand to shake Maren's, "Hello Maren! It's nice to meet you!"
Turning towards me he smiled wickedly, "Well Tom, now you can tell Commander Chakotay that your so-called 'falling asleep at the wheel' was all part of some gut feeling you had, and look how well it turned out!"
Frowning at the untimely reminder I tried to think of some appropriate rejoinder when B'Elana nudged me, "You fell asleep Tom?"
Flushing, I glared at Harry's unrepentant face, "Well… yes. But of all people you should understand why!"
In an attempt to change the subject, I turned to Maren, who seemed to be trying not to laugh, "With friends like these… who needs enemies, right?"
A/N: Wow! Here I thought this chapter would be five lines long!! R/R people!!
I smiled, "Of course I'll introduce you to my friends! In fact," looking at the chrono on the wall I continued, "I don't think you'll have to wait that long."
As if my words were magical the doors to sickbay suddenly whooshed open revealing two of very people we were discussing.
"Tom, why don't you introduce us?" B'Elana queried, moving to my side possessively.
Surprised that B'Elana would think of Maren as immediate competition, I stiffened. 'Whoa boy! When was I ever annoyed to be the object of competition between females? When did I stop enjoying playing the field anyway?' I thought as I deliberately relaxed.
Smiling at B'Elana disarmingly, I replied, "B'Elana, this is Ensign Maren, formerly of the Starship Nighthawk, now of the Starship Voyager. Maren, meet B'Elana."
Under my breath I added as an aside to B'Elana, "Relax, I'm not picking her up or anything!"
Louder, for everyone to hear, I brought the second person into the fore, "Maren, meet Harry, one of my best friends on this ship. Somehow I think you two will get along swimmingly."
Grinning at my obvious pun, Harry put out his hand to shake Maren's, "Hello Maren! It's nice to meet you!"
Turning towards me he smiled wickedly, "Well Tom, now you can tell Commander Chakotay that your so-called 'falling asleep at the wheel' was all part of some gut feeling you had, and look how well it turned out!"
Frowning at the untimely reminder I tried to think of some appropriate rejoinder when B'Elana nudged me, "You fell asleep Tom?"
Flushing, I glared at Harry's unrepentant face, "Well… yes. But of all people you should understand why!"
In an attempt to change the subject, I turned to Maren, who seemed to be trying not to laugh, "With friends like these… who needs enemies, right?"
A/N: Wow! Here I thought this chapter would be five lines long!! R/R people!!