Chakotay, Tuvok, Harry Kim, and Seven of Nine entered Nihydron space aboard a Mawasi vessel with a handful of lower ranking Mawasi delegates. Chakotay and Tuvok were going to facilitate the first Mawasi-Nihydron discussions towards the forming of a treaty.

The Mawasi agreed to grant the use of one of their vessels, the Sotma, to Voyager's crew. After delivering the delegation to a Nihydron home world, Seven of Nine and Harry Kim set out to a handful of strategic locations where they were going to scan for crew members in hiding.

B'Elanna scanned progress report after progress report as they came in. She paced at her workstation, glancing from console to padd, to console. Her mind walked through every system, subsystem, corridor, and Jeffries tube to plan for the next day.

Voyager and her repairs were left completely under B'Elanna's command, and while she did give due consideration to Federation specifications, the opportunity to build Voyager better, stronger, and equipped with so many of the things she might have hoped for in the last three years, did not escape her. She gleaned technologies from their new friends, as well as refitted some of the systems with designs that had impressed her in the Delta Quadrant.

On one screen she pulled up a complete Mawasi database, on another she had Voyager's initial specs, and on another she pulled up archived hostile ship specifications including those of the Borg and the Krenim. All the while, she scanned each new report to see how far they'd come, and who and what they could pull from where to keep building the next day.

Nanton and the other Mawasi were challenged and invigorated by the brainstorming sessions they had with Voyager's engineering crew. Nanton had become accustomed to B'Elanna quickly throwing questions at her about everything from the properties of Delta Quadrant elements to the phase shifts of Mawasi energy fields. However, as Nanton approached she could see B'Elanna was slowing down.

B'Elanna glanced up as she felt Nanton observing her too carefully.

Nanton's countenance changed as she reported with satisfaction. "All of the ruptured EPS conduits have been located and repaired. The electro plasma system is online. Every test indicates that fusing the relays with Mawasi energy converters has increased the usable energy to ship's systems by a factor of 4.7."

"Excellent! Are the fused relays running too hot?"

"All are well within Federation specifications."

"We'll keep an eye on it, but it sounds good."

B'Elanna leaned against the console and relaxed a little. "We won't be able to get at the structural integrity field or the reaction control system until the next Zahl shipment. It's going to be slow going for a week or more."

"Your crew could use some rest and relaxation, and you all have complete liberty to explore the Shantix system."

"You are right. I'll begin scheduling some shore leave."

"Will that include some time for you?"

"Maybe a little. Any places or activities you recommend?"

"What do you like? Are you looking for somewhere for you and Tom?"

"Just me." B'Elanna's response was abrupt, but she was not as threatened by Nanton's gentle probe. "I like hot, tropical, no skiing, and maybe a little rock climbing or hiking. Got somewhere like that?"

"I know just the place. Give me a call after you've done your scheduling."

The tall Mawasi strode out of engineering and B'Elanna turned her thoughts to the duty roster.

The night of Day 50

Tom was rounding a corner when Kathryn stepped out of a Jeffries tube.

"Well if it isn't the miracle worker in the flesh."

Kathryn turned around and brushed out some of the creases in her slacks. Tom stood before her with a big grin on his face and a corked bottle in each hand.

"Evening Tom," she said rolling her eyes at his greeting. "Where's the party?"

"Party? I wouldn't say it's a party but there is a little get together in holodeck one. Care to join me?"

"Holodeck one? The holodecks aren't running."

"Nope, they aren't, but it doesn't take much to suit up a holodeck for a good game of poker."

"Poker?"

"Well yeah, Sandrine's pool table was holographic. So poker it is. Come on, join me for a round."

Kathryn hesitated and looked back at the Jeffries tube.

"Unless, there is something you need a hand with?"

"No, I've done all I can until the next batch of supplies arrive."

"And the night is young. Come on, you need a break."

She didn't move.

Reading her thoughts, Paris supplied a little more information. "It's just the regulars tonight. Anyone else that might have joined us is at some Mawasi function on the third planet. So, let's see there's me, Neelix, Susan Nicoletti, and Joe Carrey."

Kathryn rolled the names over in her mind and wondered if any would mind her being there.

"One round? I'll tell them all you're busy but I talked you into stopping by for one round. Give it a try. If you're uncomfortable you've got an easy out."

Seeing that she was about to cave, he put both bottles in one hand, and took her by the arm. "It'll be good for ya, I promise."

Surprised at herself, Kathryn allowed the slightly inebriated helmsman to guide her down the corridor.

As they walked into the holodeck, Tom called out, "Hey Neelix, pull up another chair. I found a stray poker shark in the corridor."

Neelix set the chair in place and turned to see who it was for. "Captain! Oh, how wonderful. Please, sit down."

Carrey grinned, and said to Tom, "So she's a poker shark, huh?"

"Best to assume so. Haven't you seen her play pool?"

Kathryn paused for a moment to take in how they had decorated their corner of the holodeck. A portable light hung above the table and gave good visibility to the cards and appetizers. A side table stood behind them with dishes, glasses, and various other things. There were two empty tables, and tall candle stands held an assortment of candles that set the boundary of the little games room. Someone even supplied bluesy background music. It felt homey.

Seeing that Kathryn was appreciating the ambiance, Susan Nicoletti spoke up. "The candles and music were my contribution. It felt pretty stark before."

"Nice touch."

"Thank you."

Kathryn eased herself into the chair next to Susan.

Susan spoke in a playful whisper. "The appetizers are good tonight. Don't be afraid to try them."

"I heard that," said Neelix.

Tom poured a round of drinks.

Kathryn smelled hers cautiously. "What is it?"

Tom grinned and sat down. "A little muscle relaxant and you could use some."

Kathryn narrowed her eyes at him.

Carrey smiled and said, "It's alright, Captain, its pretty mild."

Kathryn took a drink and Carrey dealt her in. At first she was a little uneasy, but after the first glass she relaxed some. It was nice to be among people who cared. Especially since the most they expected of her was to know that a full house doesn't beat a royal flush.

To her surprise her full house did lose to Carrey's royal flush. "What do you call that? Dealer's luck?"

Neelix joined in. "I'd be careful, Captain, if I were you. Where I come from questioning the dealer's luck can lead to your own bad luck."

Tom snorted. "She wasn't questioning it, Neelix, just pointing out that that was all it was: pure luck.Right Carrey?"

Carrey smirked at Tom and shrugged his shoulders.

"We've seen plenty of that alright." Susan said, as the cards were passed around again.

All nodded and were somber for a moment. In this way the group slowly bonded. Light humor, a simple distraction, and the occasional remark that touched on the deeper wound.

After a couple of weeks of playing and often winning, Kathryn set her hand down and fixed her gaze on the holodeck walls. She was usually nervous when the conversation delved deeper than the pleasant banter but this night she safer and spoke from her heart. "You really kept us alive with the places you'd create in here, Tom."

Susan and Neelix muttered their agreement and set down their hands. "It's true."

Tom swallowed hard and smiled. "I did what I could." Lifting his glass in a sloppy toast, he added, "Heck! We all did, Captain."

Kathryn rose from the table, put her hands on her hips and surveyed the dark room. "Has anyone taken a good look at what is wrong with this thing?"

"The holodecks? I had a look at the hologrid and the subsystems the first night I moved back aboard Voyager, but I was pretty discouraged that night."

"Carrey? What about you?"

He shook his head and rose from his chair. "There wasn't enough resources allocated to it to make it worth looking over. But I'm guessing I'm about to?"

"Care to go skiing anyone?" Kathryn waved her hands about the empty room.

"Or how about to Paris?" Susan imediately picked up on Kathryn's playful enthusiasm.

Tom folded his hand. "I'd be up for a game of pool."

Carrey nudged Tom's shoulder. "Should've known that inviting the captain would make for work."

Kathryn flashed him a wicked smile. "Oh no. This is going make for fun, you'll see."