Kathryn and Chakotay walk arm in arm back to their table. They don't notice the whispers and the glances in their direction. Chakotay pulls Kathryn's chair out for her. The rest of the people sitting at their table slowly come over and join them. Kathryn smoothes her evening gown's skirt under her bum and sits down daintily. Chakotay pours himself and Kathryn a glass of water and then he asks Kathryn, "What do you want to drink?"
Kathryn ponders what she'd like to drink when she considers what she pre=ordered for dinner she realizes that white wine would work well. "I'd love some white wine, a pinot gris perhaps, I think. Thank you, Chakotay."
"I'll come back with a bottle then. I'll be right back." Chakotay says as he pushes his chair back from the table. He walks swiftly across the floor to the bar and orders the wine that he and Kathryn decided they wanted. He crosses back across the room carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. In the pocket of his pants he carries a corkscrew to open the bottle. He reaches the table and quickly uncorks the bottle. He pours Kathryn a half glass of wine before depositing himself in the chair next to her. The waiters come around and serve the first course of dinner. Kathryn and Chakotay both get a green salad with Italian dressing. Kathryn draws her napkin across her lap before she begins to eat her salad. The noise around the table ceases as everyone begins to eat. Chakotay refills Kathryn's wine glass as she finishes her first one. As Kathryn finishes her salad her plate is quickly taken from her by one of the waiters. She subconsciously eats the mushrooms off Chakotay's salad plate. Chakotay never has liked mushrooms. B'Elanna leans towards her husband, Tom, and points out the odd habits of their commanding officers. "Interesting way of getting your extra share of mushrooms Captain." Tom Paris says cheekily.
Kathryn blushes. "I don't mind. I don't like mushrooms anyway." Chakotay says trying to deflect embarrassment from Kathryn.
"Oh, it's so sweet that you're defending her. You're not usually so vocal in defending her." B'Elanna says teasing her old friend.
Kathryn shakes her head as she watches her crew interact socially. She sips her wine and stays fairly quiet allowing her crew to just be themselves. Soon the waiters come around and serve the soup course. Kathryn has ordered the cream of mushroom soup and Chakotay has ordered the minestrone soup. Kathryn has a little bite of Chakotay's soup before she starts on her own.