~ B'Elanna ~
Turning back towards the camp, B'Elanna walked slowly, enjoying the warm sunlight. So, Chakotay and the Captain had finally gotten together! B'Elanna was more than happy for the big guy. Never had he openly admitted, even to her, that he had feelings for the Captain, but more than once, he had become quiet when the subject of Janeway came up. And those looks on the bridge…those were the same looks that Tom used to give her. Chakotay had always been overt about his love interests. Thank goodness the Captain was a step above Seska.
"Lieutenant, we have plans accounting for all systems of Voyager. Should we begin dismantling?" Like Tuvok, Vorik had opted to stay in the Starfleet uniform. B'Elanna stopped in the doorway, startled out of her thoughts by the young Vulcan.
"No, no, not yet," B'Elanna mused to herself. "We should check with the Captain first." Vorik nodded his acknowledgement and left. B'Elanna picked up a stack of PADDs and left the structure. No sooner had she walked out into the opening then she saw two forms in the distance, slowly walking towards them.
Chakotay's black clad arm was hesitantly draped around the Captain's shoulder, occasionally hovering away but always coming back. The Captain's arms were crossed over her chest, head bent. The edges of her white dress were tattered. To B'Elanna, they looked like the ying-yang – man and woman, fire and ice, comfort and discomfort. As they started to come closer, B'Elanna tried to busy herself, not wanting to be caught gawking at the command team. When they finally reached her, B'Elanna looked up, surprised at the sad looks on their faces. The Captain's brave expression was obviously forced, but Chakotay made no move to hide his feelings. What had gone on between them?
"Are you guys OK?" B'Elanna asked.
It was like the Captain hadn't even noticed her. Her eyes focused in on the slightly confused engineer. "Yes, yes, we're fine." A smile became plastered across her face. "Are the schematics for the shelters ready?"
B'Elanna, flustered by the, well, lack of happiness, wordlessly handed over the PADDs. While the Captain poured over the information, Chakotay looked over her shoulder, occasionally glancing at B'Elanna. His arm never left its place around the Captain. What the hell was this?
"Thanks, B'Elanna. You may proceed." With another fake smile thrown over her shoulder, the Captain turned to leave with Chakotay right on her heels. B'Elanna just shook her head. She went off to find Vorik, making sure she went to go talk to Tom right after.