March 2366

Chapter 8

B'Elanna tossed her gym bag on the floor of the entryway, a grin still plastered on her face. Today at Mok'bara class, B'Elanna had been able to do an advanced move on the first try. She knew it was due to her human flexibility, but she didn't tell the instructor that – rather, she basked in the praise she lavished on her only non-Klingon student.

B'Elanna crossed the main room, headed for the replicator. Life in Qam'Chee had settled into a rhythm: get up, go to Mok'bara class, spar with Ma'Leth if there was time before they headed to the restaurant, come home, go to bed. It was the same each day – other than on ghInjaj, the end of the six day week, when Klingons stayed in and contemplated Kahless. On those days, B'Elanna retreated to her room, avoiding the ceremonies that her family performed.

She ordered water from the replicator and headed for the courtyard, excited to show Ma'Leth her new found skill. "VavnI', guess wha…" B'Elanna trailed off. Her grandfather wasn't outside. "VavnI'?" she called, looking around the space that was enclosed by her house on one side and her uncle's on the other.

No one responded.

B'Elanna retreated into the house. "VavnI'?"

For a moment, only silence met her. Then, from Ma'Leth's bedroom, she heard a weak, "In here."

B'Elanna crossed the main room, headed for the hallway that lead to the bedrooms – her footfalls the only breaks in the silence. She found her grandfather's door ajar and pushed it open just wide enough to slip inside. Ma'Leth was laying on his slab, covered in furs, the lights dim. A strong herbal scent permeated the room – like a mixture of mint and rosemary. "VavnI'?" B'Elanna whispered.

"PuqnI'be'." Ma'Leth gestured for B'Elanna to come closer.

As she approached, B'Elanna noticed he was still in his night clothes. "What's wrong?"

Ma'Leth took her hand, tugging on it slightly to indicate that she should sit on the edge of the slab. "I'm ill today." His voice was raspy, as though he'd spent the night coughing.

B'Elanna reached out to touch her grandfather's cheeks. They were clammy. "Should I get a doctor?"

Ma'Leth snorted, which spurred on a cough. "For a cold? A doctor would laugh at my weakness. It's nothing to worry about."

"Oh." B'Elanna looked down, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "It's just, in the Federation -"

"Humans have a different way than Klingons. This is natural," Ma'Leth cut in, stilling her hands with his own, before giving them a squeeze. "Now tell me, how was class?"

The grin returned to B'Elanna's face. "Good. I was able to do a lok'Matar on the first try."

"Oh! Look at my puqnI'be'! You'll be a master in no time."

"It's just because I'm flexible - even for a human."

He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "No matter. The other students will use being fully Klingon to their advantage; it is only right that you use being half human to yours."

"I suppose." B'Elanna looked away, wondering why it never felt like an asset to be bi-species.

"No, do not 'suppose'. I am right."

"All right. Fine," B'Elanna huffed, rolling her eyes.

"Good, I'm glad we are in accord." Ma'Leth's chuckles devolved into coughs. He sat up, grabbing a rag from his bedside table, and spat a mouthful of phlegm into it. He moaned as he leaned back against the furs. "Now, go get ready for work," he said, patting B'Elanna's leg. "Dar'Rok will need help today since I'm not there."

B'Elanna frowned. "You'll be okay by yourself?"

"I have a cold, I'm not infirmed," Ma'Leth grumbled. "I'll be fine."

B'Elanna rose, eyeing her grandfather as he turned on his side. "Message me if you need anything."

"You worry too much. Go!"

B'Elanna walked back across the darkened room, stealing one last glance at her grandfather before exiting into the hall.

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