Chapter 9

Geran leaned in close, his breath hot against Yey'Val's neck. He nibbled at the flesh, eliciting a moan from his lover's throat. Emboldened, Geran kissed, licked, and bit his way down her neck and to her breast, where he proceeded to take an erect—

"B'Elanna!"

Her mother's voice caused B'Elanna to jump and hastily thumb off her PADD. "What!?" B'Elanna called back, not bothering to get off her bed.

"Dinner!"

B'Elanna sighed - just when her novel was getting good. Stuffing the PADD under her pillow next to Toby, B'Elanna rose, stretching her stiff muscles. She'd spent most of this ghInjaj on her bed, absorbed in her latest find: In the Heat of Battle and Love. Like all the Klingon romance novels she'd read, it was cheesy at best, but it did possess certain... stimulating qualities.

Walking into the main room of the house, B'Elanna was hit with a mix of pungent incense and Klingon food. This doesn't do much for the appetite.

Miral was rolling up the floor cloth in front of the shine of Kahless while Ma'Leth worked in the kitchen. It had taken over a week for him to recover from his cold – he'd just returned to the restaurant yesterday. Her mother and uncle didn't seem worried about Ma'Leth's health, but the whole thing didn't sit well with B'Elanna. She watched him with a wary eye as he plated the food – looking for any indication that he wasn't fully recovered.

"B'Elanna." He handed her two plates, one that held her vegetarian meal and another that was full of meat for Miral. "Take these to the table."

B'Elanna complied, placing the plates on the table before filling two finger bowls for Ma'Leth and Miral. As her mother made her way to the table, B'Elanna grabbed a knife, fork, and napkin for herself – having found it difficult to adjust to eating with her hands.

Miral was already digging into her food when B'Elanna returned with the accoutrements. Ma'Leth soon followed, setting his own plate of food down before taking a seat himself.

"How has your ghInjaj been?" Ma'Leth asked her as he took a bite of his meal.

"Good," B'Elanna replied, swallowing a mouth full of food. "I've been reading."

"You should join us in contemplation some ghInjaj," Miral said - just as she did almost every ghInjaj.

"Maybe."

The family continued to eat, the clattering of silverware and the smacking of lips was the only conversation.

"Miral, have you told B'Elanna about the technician position?"

B'Elanna stiffened. Now what does she want me to do?

Miral shook her head in response to Ma'Leth. "I had not." Miral took another bite of food and then turned to B'Elanna, speaking as she chewed. "I learned yesterday that there is an opening for an apprentice technician in the engine research division of my firm. My friend, Jarek, oversees the department. I could speak to him on your behalf."

"I don't know." B'Elanna looked down at her food, pushing it around with her fork. It felt odd getting a job because her mom's friend was the manager… although, wasn't that how the universe worked?

"B'Elanna, this is a good opportunity." Ma'Leth set down the leg of… something… he'd been gnawing on, and gave her a stern look. "We all know that your favorite thing at work is fixing the old equipment. Why not at least consider the position?"

B'Elanna sighed. Why not, indeed? She turned to Miral. "Do you know anything else about it?"

Miral nodded. "Yes. When we examine new fuel mixtures, we often need to recalibrate the engines. The head of this department works with the scientists and engineers to make proper calibrations. The technicians then make the changes to the ships – as well as fix any vessels that were damaged in testing. It's a good match for you – you could learn more about ships and put your engineering knowledge to use."

A chance to work on ships without having to go back to school. It was like a dream come true – only she couldn't muster any enthusiasm. B'Elanna looked between her mother and grandfather. They both want me to do this. I should want me to do this.

B'Elanna knew to say "no" would take much more effort than to say "yes". "Okay. Can you set a meeting up for me?"

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