A/N: SusanC, this one's for you! Thanks for the lovely review, it really made my morning- hope this effort agrees with you…

Post-Caretaker

Janeway muffled a yawn surreptiously, or so she hoped, and quickly lifted the hand holding salvation in a cup, draining her the last of her coffee. The remaining members of what so far constituted her senior staff settled in, Ryka looking as smug in her brand new uniform as Torres looked uncomfortable with hers, tugging a little at the fabric in unease.

"Welcome, everyone," Janeway said, "I anticipate quite a few more early morning meetings while we try to salvage something of my ship, so why don't we get started? Lieutenant Torres?"

The first meeting of the senior staff got well underway. There was much to be discussed, including priority for the reparation of the severe damage inflicted on Voyager, as well as the roles of the new additions to the crew. Janeway, having the authority to give out field commissions, had been quite busy doing just that as the cavalier transition to the Delta Quadrant had caused numerous deaths among the original Starfleet crew. In the senior staff alone, the First Officer, Chief Engineer and conn officer had been replaced- with former Maquis officers.

In her seat at the head of the table, Janeway was bemused at the twist that had led to a controversial merging of her crew with members of a rebel group. At her side as First Officer sat former Maquis cell leader, Chakotay, and also at the table were B'Elanna Torres, the new Chief Engineer, and conn officer Krystani Ryka.

Without needing the thorough background information that Lieutenant Tuvok, in his tenure as a Starfleet spy infiltrating Chakotay's crew, had included in his reports, Janeway knew a lot about Torres. Enough to grant her the position of Chief Engineer with a minimum of fuss when her new XO had suggested her. After all, the half Klingon- half human officer had continually excelled at Starfleet Academy, despite requiring a few disciplinary hearings. After graduating, she had gone on to join the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, which impressed Janeway as the notorious head of the Corps, 'Scotty' as he was more commonly known, accepted nothing but the best.

When Torres had quit, he had even placed a letter in her permanent file stating that he would support her if she ever reapplied, and that she had been one of the most promising officers he had ever met. That had admittedly been a major influence in Janeway's decision.

Beside Torres, listening attentively to her oration, was Harry Kim. The two of them had developed a comradeship of sorts after being held captive by the Caretaker on the Array, and mutual respect and liking had grown from that foundation. A fond smile appeared as she studied this charmingly naïve, young Asian ensign. Hardworking, sincere, dedicated, very green but nothing that experience could not cure. A little overenthusiastic, as Janeway recalled from her first meeting with him, but admirably, he did not to allow prejudice to keep him from forming fast friends with Mr Paris when he had first come on board, nor now from befriending Torres. She knew a few narrow-minded officers who could stand to learn from him, and lose their bigotry and intolerance in following his example.

Tom Paris, disgraced son of Admiral Paris and black sheep of the family, had been reinstated as a lieutenant, and appointed Chief Helmsman. At the moment he was recovering in Sickbay, after a courageous move to protect the Maquis captain had resulted in severe personal injuries. Janeway's gaze touched on his stand-in, the unique Ensign Ryka.

The ensign was, as far as Janeway knew, truly the only one of her kind. Having a Ktarian father and a part Betazoid mother, with Vulcan ancestry further back in her family lineage, made Ryka very unique indeed. At a glance, something of her mixed heritage could be gleaned. The protruding 'horns' that were characteristic of Ktarians, giving a deceptively fierce appearance especially to the males of that peaceful, easygoing race, were in evidence on the ensign's forehead, though in a far more fragile form. Her ears were subtly pointed, though that could be mere imagination, and her mental abilities were undetermined, though real, in Tuvok's considered, professional opinion. Ryka, who seemed to sense her interest, met her glance, and Janeway could read some amusement in the ensign's expression. A brief passage about Ensign Ryka's reckless temperament and impetuous nature from one of Tuvok's reports came back to her and amusement lit her own face. It would certainly be interesting to see how she settled in to life on board Voyager.

Just then, Torres concluded reports on the warp coil efficiency, and immediately discussion ensued over the advisability of some of the measures she was keen to implement.

"I'd like to point out that a person who kept a thirty-nine year old rebuilt engine running adequately, if perhaps missing the mark on perfection, for as long I did can certainly handle the state of the art, paint fresh from dry-dock, shiny brand new parts on this fine ship," Torres said scathingly.

"Suddenly we seem to have a table full of engineering experts," Janeway noted with calm interest. " However, I suggest we leave the engineering matters to the Chief Engineer. What you proposed, while unorthodox, I must say, does have its merits, Lieutenant."

"Thank you," Torres shot a pointed look at Tuvok who, in Security Chief mode, typically preferred the more conventional methods.

"Tuvok? Any other objections?"

He responded, "No, Captain," in a cool manner that suggested he had never had a problem with Torres' approach in the first place. Janeway looked at him reproachfully, and Tuvok tilted his head slightly, conceding the point.

Chakotay watched this byplay with interest.

Lieutenant Yaniza Bensyn, head of Sciences, cleared her throat. "I have a proposal I'd like to bring up," Bensyn said, looking at the Captain for permission. At Janeway's nod, she continued, "Ensign T'Saryn suggested to me that work on the Astrometrics lab might be advisable, given our current circumstances."

"What Astrometrics lab?" Kim asked, brows furrowed in thought.

"Exactly," Bensyn nodded. "All we currently have is a room with a perfunctory title, that has little use as things lie at the moment. To be fair, we were only meant to be on a three week mission at most, but as fate would have it…"

Kim had interest on his face. "What is she promoting, exactly?"

"I'll show you," Bensyn moved over to the wall monitor, gracefully tapping commands in with the ease of long familiarity. The delicate line of spots down the sides of her face, marking the lieutenant as a Trill, interestingly enough featured around her wrists as well. She brought up a schematic of Voyager, narrowing down on Deck 9, where Astrometrics was located, then overlaid with the changes the ensign had suggested. "The beauty of it lies in its elegance. Just a few modifications here and there, enhancing the astrometric sensors in Jefferies tube 32-B, and she's also suggested new navigational sensors. The sum of it is in this report."

Before reaching Janeway, Chakotay, as First Officer, would usually review reports before passing on anything of relevance to the Captain. Bensyn set the PADD on the table, sliding it across to him but before it reached Chakotay's grasp, Janeway leaned forward to intercept it deftly.

"I think this is something I'd like to read myself," she threw a brief grin at her XO. "I'm sure you won't begrudge me."

"If it's piqued your interest, by all means," Chakotay spread his hands in surrender.

"Why, thank you," Janeway keyed on the PADD and raised an eyebrow in surprise at the considerable amount of data that appeared. Considering only a night had passed since matters had stabilized on Voyager, these were very detailed plans for the entire project, complete with alternatives and energy conserving schemes. "Lieutenant," she glanced over at Bensyn, "thank you for bringing this to my attention. If you have no qualms about assigning her, tell Ensign T'Saryn that she will be heading the project. I think the amount of enthusiasm she has demonstrated so far would be an asset."

"I'm amenable," Bensyn nodded, brown eyes thoughtful. "It'll be good for her, I think."

"Good. Harry, co-ordinate with her, would you?"

"Sure, Captain," he said agreeably.

"I think that's it, then," Janeway looked around and saw no negative responses. "Dismissed, then."

She remained in her chair, as did Chakotay, while the others filed out.

"That went well," he noted.

A smile tipped the corner of her mouth. "That it did, Mr Chakotay."

"Sign of things to come, perhaps."

"One would hope," Janeway agreed.

He shrugged. "Well, if B'Ella hasn't broken anyone's nose yet, I'd say we were in fine shape."

She chuckled at the sardonic observation. "Lieutenant Torres is an intriguing individual. Even- spirited, one might say." There was a sparkle in her eye although she spoke in a serious manner.

"One could say a lot more, but I think 'spirited' will suffice," Chakotay said dryly.

Janeway nodded amusedly.

"So," he shifted restlessly. "Any doubts? Regrets?"

"I think Lieutenant Torres will mange Engineering with ease and her unmistakable style," Janeway said glibly. "Living on the edge of the law as she has been until recently will have bequeathed a talent for managing in tight situations that I can use, now more than ever…her creative approach will definitely be an advantage."

Chakotay looked at her, aware that she was deflecting the question. But perhaps that was an answer in itself. Janeway did not strike him as a frivolous person; this scheme of hers been carefully thought out and through on her part. She had been frank when required, and this- playfulness he was witnessing seemed to imply a lack of concern for matters as they lay.

Or perhaps he was reading too much into her.

"I have every confidence that we will succeed, Commander," she spoke up suddenly and he nodded, feeling a curious satisfaction.

"As do I," he replied. "Shall we?" Chakotay stood and held out a hand to her.

With murmured thanks, Janeway accepted it and stood up, pausing for a moment as she studied him, as though about to remark on something. Then she smiled at him and together Captain and First Officer made their way out onto the bridge.