It Felt Like Home
Workforce Redux
A Star Trek: Voyager fanfiction
by
CanonAntithesis
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Kathryn sat down on what had become her stool at the bar. Tom had her cup of almost coffee ready and sat down the steaming cup in front of her. And so started another night in their most enjoyable routine.
"Hi." She loved his bright blue eyes.
"Hi." He loved her contralto voice.
"How does vegetable lasagna and a tossed salad sound for dinner tonight?"
"Sounds wonderful."
Since Tom had spent that first night in her, he had never left ... her bed or her apartment. And in exchange, he had insisted on making dinner for her. On nights when their shifts didn't sync, he made her meal at Umali's.
"Why do I sense a 'but'?"
"I just feel guilty. You've cooked dinner for me every night for over a week."
"You've let me sleep with you every night for over a week. Sounds like a more than fair exchange to me."
"Ha! I think that's way more than a fair exchange … which makes me feel even more guilty. I just think I should return the favor. Tomorrow is my scheduled non-working day."
"Damn, and I have to work the day shift."
"That's fine. I'll cook you dinner and we'll eat when you get home."
"Home... that's a nice word."
"It certainly is."
Kathryn took a sip of her drink and grimaced. "One thing I'll say for Earth … they knew how to make real coffee."
Tom reached over and raised her chin so she was looking him in the eye. "I think Quarra has much more to offer than coffee." His lips met hers in a gently kiss.
/***\
Neelix and Chakotay were sitting at a small table in a dark corner of the bar. Thanks to the Doctor, Chakotay was disguised because the authorities of this planet had seen him when he tried questioning them about the whereabouts of the missing crew members. In order to investigate further, they had both obtained jobs in different sections of the power plant.
Chakotay told Neelix that he was hired to work in the same section as Captain Janeway and that she showed no recognition of him when they met. In fact, she seemed quite satisfied with her present life. Neelix agreed that the crew he had met seemed equally happy.
"It's a safe bet they're not going to leave willingly," observed Chakotay.
Just then, Neelix noticed a small woman wearing electric blue clothing as she walked through the doors. "Chakotay, look. There's Captain Janeway now."
Janeway made a beeline for the bar and sat down in front of Lieutenant Paris.
"Hmm. It looks like they know each other. Maybe the mind control isn't as strong as we thought," observed Chakotay.
After a few minutes of conversation, Paris leaned over and kissed Janeway.
"Oh, my," murmured Neelix.
Chakotay's brow knitted into a tight line, but he made no comment.
/***\
Thirty minutes later, Tom was delivering drinks to a boisterous group in the back when Umali approached Kathryn. She was now sitting at a small table near the bar just finishing her dinner.
"Good evening, Kathryn. You're looking well."
Kathryn looked up and smiled. "Umali. Please join me." She gestured to an empty seat.
"Don't mind if I do." She sat down and studied Kathryn shrewdly. "So... you and Tom..."
"Yes?" Kathryn's voice sounded slightly defensive. Even thought it was still early in their relationship, and she would never admit it to anyone else, their age difference bothered her. She wasn't sure where this conversation was heading, but she wanted to be prepared for anything.
"I think you're good for him. He needs you. And not just to provide him with a place to stay either."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he's moved in with you, right?"
"Not officially, but he does spend a lot of time there."
Umali raised her eyebrow knowingly. "In any event, I'm just glad he isn't sleeping on my storeroom floor anymore."
"Your storeroom?" Kathryn sat up straighter. "What are you talking about?"
"Tom has basically been homeless since he started working here. I thought you knew. The plant evicted him when they terminated his employment. I've never mentioned anything to him about the storeroom, but he must know I know. He's a proud man, so I leave him alone."
"I'm so stupid. It never occurred to me that he didn't have anywhere to go."
"You're not stupid, Kathryn. You're in love." Umali placed her hand over Kathryn's. "And so is Tom. Believe me, he isn't using you. If he's staying, it's because he wants to stay."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. He used to flirt with all the ladies before he met you. Now, the only female he has any interest in, besides you, is a young pregnant woman who comes in here occasionally."
"Yes. B'Elanna. We met a few days ago. Poor girl."
"Oh?"
"She's all alone. It's a story as old as time," Kathryn said. "Everything was fine until she became pregnant. Then, the man suddenly decides he isn't ready to be a father. And he's gone."
"How sad."
"I saw her here when I came in tonight. Tom introduced her to some expectant parents. He's just trying to help her."
Umali smiled warmly. "He's is very honorable man, Kathryn; so please, let him stay. I don't need my best bartender getting a crick in his back from sleeping on a hard, concrete floor." She looked around at the nearly empty bar and sighed. "Thank goodness tomorrow is pay day. This place can't handle too many slow nights like this one."
/***\
Kathryn worked all day planning their evening meal, shopping for the ingredients, and preparing it. No wonder she never cooked; it was too much work. She'd rather be in charge of the entire power plant than have to do this every day and there was no way she wanted the responsibility of being in charge of that many people.
Things were going well and Tom would be home from work soon. The roast was cooking in the oven; the vegetables were simmering on the stove; dessert was ready-made, so that was done.
She opened the door in response to a light knock and let Tom into the apartment. She wished she could give him his own access, but it was keyed to her employee card and she couldn't duplicate that. He paused at the door to remove his shoes, as he did every night. He said his mother was a "neat-freak" and had impressed upon him from a young age the importance of being neat and well-ordered. Unfortunately, the shoe removal was the only neat and well-ordered characteristic to which Tom had adhered. In all other areas of his personal life, Tom was a slob.
She greeted him with a warm kiss.
"Smells good," he commented.
"Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Well, you're the one who said you weren't much of a cook, remember?"
Tom tried to look into the kitchen, but Kathryn shooed him away.
"No peeking until it's completely ready. Now, you smell like a bar, so go take a shower."
/***\
Tom showered while Kathryn put the finishing touches on their delicious meal.
At least that was the plan.
The wail of a siren jolted Tom out of his relaxing shower. He rushed out of the bedroom, dripping wet and wearing only a white towel around his waist. Smoke was billowing out of the kitchen. The first thing Tom did was to silence that blaring noise. Then, he opened a window to allow the fumes to escape.
Walking into the kitchen, he saw Kathryn standing at the sink, holding a smoldering pan under the water. A black charred mass of undefined origin quivered at the bottom of the pan. An awful smell permeated the entire apartment.
She looked up at him with a sheepish expression on her face. "I don't think cooking is my forte."
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with you."
Her eyes slid from his wet hair to the undersized towel wrapped around his wait. She licked her lips and pulled her gaze back up to his face to find Tom watching her.
"Did you just wink at me?" He asked with a mischievous grin on his face, referring to their cultural awareness class.
"Wha-? Oh," She said with a knowing smile. Kathryn raised her chin and gave him a slight nod. "Very funny, but I do believe I was using the human definition of that gesture." She reached up and wiped his wet forehead with a dish towel.
Tom caught her hand and brought it to his mouth, peppering her fingers with light kisses. However, before he could do more, a loud pounding on the door interrupted them.
"I'll be right back," Kathryn whispered with regret.
Upon opening the door, Kathryn was shocked to see the Efficiency Monitor, Annika Hansen. The tall blonde had a perturbed look on her face.
"Ah, I should have known," stated the Efficiency Monitor. "Employee 8584." The number seemed to drop off her lips with contempt.
Kathryn plastered on a fake smile and tried to be upbeat. "Um, hi there. What can I do for you?"
"I heard the alarm and came to offer assistance," she announced as she walked past Kathryn, through the small foyer and into the living area. Annika immediately wrinkled her nose at the smell of burning food in the air.
Kathryn trailed after her, calling out, "Oh, that. It's no problem really. I just burnt my dinner, but it's taken care of now. Really."
Annika was determined to find the source of the odor and headed toward the small kitchen, but saw the open window and turned to Kathryn.
"It's against regulations to open windows in employee housing units. It's wasteful. Warmed air will pour out of the building, causing the heating unit to operate more than is necessary to maintain optimal living temperatures."
Tom chose that moment to walk out of the kitchen, still clad in only his towel. "Well, if it's isn't the Efficient Monitor herself. I thought I recognized your lovely voice."
"Employee 8591? Your employment was terminated. What are you doing here?"
"If my employment was terminated, why are you still calling me Employee 8591?" Looking down at his own bare chest, he continued, "And besides, I should think my purpose here was obvious … and none of your business."
"Yes, this … situation is obvious... but since you are no longer an employee of the Power Distribution Facility, you are not authorized to live in one of the company-owned domiciles."
"I'm a licensed Companion and this kind lady has purchased my services for the evening." Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
Annika's and Kathryn's eyebrows shot up simultaneously and their pale skin became equally flushed in embarrassment. Luckily, Kathryn was standing behind the tall blonde and the Efficiency Monitor didn't notice their identical reactions.
Annika suddenly had no desire to be in this apartment and she headed immediately for the exit, "Very well. I wouldn't want to interfere with a lawful exchange of … commerce."
Annika was almost out the door and Kathryn turned incredulously towards Tom.
"A paid Comp-," she started to say before he quickly stepped up and placed his finger to her lips.
Annika's hand shot out and she grabbed hold of the door before it shut, coming back into the room. "Before you proceed any further, you should close that window and please refrain from reopening it or I will be required to report you." She turned and exited.
"Yes, ma'am," Tom called after her. "We'll be sure to take care of that immediately!"
The door shut and Tom hurried over and locked it behind her.
The situation suddenly struck Kathryn as absolutely absurd and she burst into laughter. Tom couldn't help but join her. They made their way to the sofa and collapsed onto it. Their laughter was the deep, stomach-clutching kind which caused tears to stream from their eyes and left them gasping for air.
Kathryn wiped away her tears and tried to speak. "I can't believe you told her that. A licensed Companion? Did you see the look on her face?"
Tom reached over and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eye. "Her face? You should have seen the look on your own face. And besides...what makes you think I'm not a Companion?"
She sobered quickly and tried to control her voice. "Oh, well, that's fine. I supp-."
He took her chin in his hand to make sure she was watching him. "Relax, Kathryn," he said smoothly. "I'm just a humble bartender. I swear. I knew that was the only way to stop her from reporting me. Of course that doesn't mean that we can't..."
"What about dinner?"
"I'm not really hungry. Are you?" The blue of his eyes had a new intensity to them.
"No." Her voice was lower than normal.
He let his hand slide to the back of her neck and drew her to him for a searing kiss.
/TBC\
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