Chapter 1
"…and I think it's about time for another Talent Night." The senior staff was gathered around the conference table in the briefing room. They had already heard reports on Astrometrics from Seven of Nine, Operations from Harry Kim, Engineering from B'Elanna Torres-Paris, Helm from Tom Paris, and Security and Tactical from Tuvok, and Neelix was just finishing his report on crew moral. On this extremely rare occasion, everything was at peak efficiency—as even Seven had to agree. Kathryn Janeway stood up and circled around to the back of her chair, where she rested her hands. She gazed out at the weary but satisfied faces of her staff.
"I'd have to agree, Neelix. I'll leave it up to you to do the planning, then?"
He nodded excitedly. "Oh, yes, Captain! Don't you worry! I'll take care of everything!"
Janeway moved her hands to her hips. "All right, then. Dismissed." She turned to face the viewport as everyone filed out. After the door closed, she said, "What can I do for you, Commander?" He stood to her left, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I just wondered if the Captain was considering a performance for Talent Night."
She half-turned to face him, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I think I'll let the rest of the crew do the entertaining."
"Even if it means Tuvok reading more Vulcan poetry?"
"Oh, he has to be on the bridge that night," she said, perfectly straight-faced.
Chakotay chuckled, shaking his head. "Kathryn, what am I going to do with you?"
Kathryn grinned. "You can do anything, as long as it doesn't include throwing me out an airlock." He opened his mouth to speak. "Or making me listen to Tuvok recite his poetry." Chakotay closed his mouth, then opened it again. "Or taking away my coffee."
He pretended to look hurt. "Now, come one, would I ever do that to you?"
"Yes, you would."
He gave her his best "who, me?" look.
She rolled her eyes ceiling-ward. "You're incorrigible."
"I know."
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