DISCLAIMER: I do not own any Star Trek contents.

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AFTER THIRTY DAYS– by YANNIK

Chapter Eight – THE CAPTAIN

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Seeing Tom Paris in the Mess Hall surprised her more than she wanted. She bowed her acknowledgement, and took her meal. She hardly listened to Neelix's usual ranting and then she looked around. Few crewman were occupying tables, some junior officers. Well Tom Paris was one of the junior ones now. But he was the best possible companion at the moment.

"Is that taken?" she asked, nearing his table.

"No. Not at all. Please sit down" he gestured. She realized he was tense too.

Captain Janeway seated herself across from her pilot.

"Neelix says it's tomato soup" Tom pointed with his spoon. "But I'd say it's NOT. He added something again, despite all his goodwill" he smiled with his mouth and his eyes, and Kathryn just couldn't not respond.

"That's Neelix" she confirmed with grinn.

"Yeah."

And that was all. They ended up in awkward silence again.

"Tom…" she started after a moment, not being able to swallow much.

"Captain don't" he interrupted. "We do not need to analyze this situation over and over again. We spoke about it, and there's no need to say more." There was a plea in his voice and in his eyes.

She exhaled and looked at her reddish dish. It was so un-captain-like. She composed herself. Whatever she felt or thought about Tom's confinement was behind them now. As for his demotion, and him serving on gamma shift – well he needed to earn his position again, that was said also, and she didn't need to repeat it. Plus she was pretty sure he'd earn it pretty quickly, given his skill and ambition.

So she rose her eyes, and smiled.

"We won't discuss it then. How is your duty in Sickbay? Is Doctor satisfied with your work?"

"I'm sure he is" Tom answered not looking at her, and tense again. "I'm done" he pointed his half-full plate. "Neelix poured so much, that I can barely move. And I need to rest before my shift on the bridge, so… Thank you" he said, getting up.

"Thank you" Captain nodded.

As she watched him walking away, and out of the Mess Hall she thought bitterly that this was going to be harder than she anticipated. But then – what did she really anticipate?

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t.b.c.

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.yannik