"It's two sugars, right?" (Neelix & Celes)

Author's Note: This story takes place during late Season 6 or Season 7 and is part of my AU series where Tal Celes works with Neelix in the mess hall.

/

"Coffee. Black."

"Here you go, Captain. Colombian roast, freshly brewed."

"Can I get a raktajino, extra - "

"Extra spicy, Lieutenant Torres, I got you."

"Plomeek broth, please."

"Right away, Mr. Vulcan. Don't worry, no cinnamon this time, although how you can drink it so bland … "

"I am not worried, Mr. Neelix."

"Naturally. Good morning, Mr. Telfer. Allergies troubling you from that last shore leave, eh? Elderflower and honey coming right up."

Watching Neelix serve drinks before the morning shift was like watching the conductor of an orchestra. He tended to replicate ingredients in raw form, which was more energy-efficient than 152 finished drinks complete with cups, but this also meant more work for him. Between the kettle, coffeemaker, fridge and spice cupboard, he was a whirl of activity, never forgetting an order, with a friendly word for everyone. As Billy's bloodshot eyes lit up with gratitude while he cupped his hands around his elderflower tea, Neelix beamed as if his shipmate's warmth and comfort were his own.

Tal Celes, elbow-deep in dishwater, had no idea how he did it. It was all that she could do to hand over clean cups fast enough before the next load of used ones got dumped back in the sink. Wipe outside, wipe inside, place on rack, repeat …

Splash. Neelix dropped a handful of just-cleaned cups and plates back into the sink. "See that brown ring right there? A little more careful next time."

"Yes, sir." She gritted her teeth and began cleaning all over again.

A few minutes later, as she squinted fiercely into the inside of every cup to make sure no brown rings were left, he spoke up again: "Put on some speed, won't you? We're almost out!"

"Got it."

Wipe outside, wipe inside, place on rack, repeat. Somehow she got into a rhythm. It must have been the right one, because by the time the coffee pot itself was washed and dried - no disrespect to the Captain, Celes thought, but used coffee grounds were disgusting - Neelix gave her a warm smile and an equally warm glass of Bajoran flower tea.

"Aww, sir!" She sniffed delightedly. "Billy always gets this for our anniversary. How did you know?"

"A proper morale officer keeps an eye on the crew, that's all." He patted her arm. "Good work today, Crewman. Come on, let's take a break."

They sat at the same table where they chopped vegetables and rolled dough, Celes watching the dried flower unfold its golden petals inside the glass and enjoying its delicate fragrance. These quiet moments were her favorites, although she was beginning to enjoy the busy ones as well. Somehow feeding people gave her a simple satisfaction that no amount of number crunching in Astrometrics ever would.

That was when she realized, for the first time, that she had no idea what Neelix's order would be. He had a habit of using up whatever was left over; today it was his latest leola root concoction that the crew had rejected, though honestly, Celes couldn't blame them.

"Mr. Neelix?"

"Hmm?"

"What's your favorite drink in the morning?"

"Mine?" He shrugged and swirled his leola infusion. "Oh, bless you, I don't have one. If you'd been a junk trader in Kazon space as long as I was, you'd be grateful for anything close to drinkable."

For a moment, the twinkle in his eyes faded, replaced by something darker than Celes cared to think about. Her throat went dry at the memory of the hot, dry planet on which the Kazon had stranded them once.

"Oh. I … yeah, I guess so." She took another sip of tea, swallowing her disappointment. She would have liked to see her mentor's face light up when she served him his favorite, just like he did for everybody else.

On the other hand … maybe if he wouldn't tell her, she could find out some other way.

/

"It's two sugars, right?"

Celes held out her glass of Enthraxic orange juice with some trepidation. She couldn't see how two cubes of sugar could possibly be enough to sweeten the acidic stuff, but that was the amount she had seen Neelix use. It had taken six weeks of careful watching, but she was fairly sure she had the answer. It was actually Ensign Golwat's favorite, but judging by the effort he put into mixing it, Celes hoped it was his as well.

He sniffed, held it up to the light, took a sip … and shuddered so hard that every whisker trembled.

"Ach!" He let out that hearty sound, somewhere between a sigh and a grunt, of someone who had just burned his tongue on something extremely sour and enjoyed it very much. "Oh yes, now I'm awake. Liquid sunshine, that's what this is. Just like my mother used to make before she sent us to school."

"Um … does that mean you like it, sir?"

"Like it?" He brushed water out of his eyes that may or may not have been caused by the acid. "Darling girl - excuse me - Crewman, this is the kindest thing anyone's done for me since my last birthday. Whatever made you think of it?"

"A good assistant keeps an eye on the morale officer," she said demurely. "That's all."