Star Trek Voyager: The Loving Game

Star Trek Voyager: The Loving Game (Chapter 80)

Neelix’s prominent facial spots bunched together as his mouth stretched into a beaming smile of welcome to Voyager’s newest arrivals as they entered the Mess Hall with Seven. “Good morning Seven, how are our new friends doing today?” he asked, his voice rich with warmth and enthusiasm.

“The Doctor tells me they are recovering well.” Seven replied, giving the children a reassuring look as she did so. The younger three were openly staring at the Talaxian, obviously overwhelmed with his exuberance, while Icheb kept his gaze cautiously averted, unsure of what was expected of him. After all, they had come close to assimilating him. Seven knew their feelings all too well and although she was grateful for her friend’s magnanimity she tried to tone him down a little. “This is Icheb, Mezotti, Azan and Rebi.” She introduced softly, indicating each child in turn.

Neelix, demonstrating why he was Morale Officer, picked up on her hint immediately and knelt before offering his hand to them to shake, standing up again to allow Icheb, who was taller than he was, to do the same. “I’m Neelix, Voyager’s Morale Officer. It’s wonderful to meet the four of you properly.” He told them with kind sincerity before he smiled at Seven, “I know Seven will take good care of you.”

“She is.” Mezotti confirmed simply, her and the twins’ gazes already wandering distractedly around the Mess Hall.

Icheb’s back straightened as he stepped closer to the other children. “We’ve come to believe, having spoken to Seven of Nine and the Doctor, that it would be…appropriate to apologise to you.”

Neelix gave a small start in surprise before his smile widened, “Don’t worry about that, any of you. I’m sure Commander Chakotay, Ensign Kim and Lieutenant Paris would tell you the same thing.” He said firmly, earning obedient nods from the young ex-drones. “It’s time for you to start settling in and there’s nothing better for that than some traditional Talaxian breakfast broth!” He eagerly held a tray laden with huge bowls of a tangerine orange liquid that struck Seven’s sensitive nose as smelling like boiled Leola Root with some shellfish thrown in.

“Perhaps later, Mr Neelix. They have particular nutritional needs at the moment.” Seven declined as diplomatically as possible, holding in a sigh of relief as he accepted the excuse and left them to present his breakfast offering to more unsuspecting new arrivals. “Do not worry, you may use the replicators.” She quickly assured the children when she saw their horrified expressions. A giggle escaped Azan’s lips but the sound seemed to startle him enough to stop it growing any louder. Even Icheb cracked a smirk as Seven encouraged the hilarity by doing the same.

“How’s it going so far?” Chakotay asked as his wife parted from the children as they reached the replicators to go to him. “They seem to be coping well. It was good for them to apologise, you even made them laugh.”

Seven felt her confidence rise as she heard the pride in his voice but kept her answer reserved. “It has been easier than I expected.” She admitted quietly as she leaned into his side.

“Good.” Chakotay murmured, giving her a gentle kiss as he handed Celeste into her arms. “I can see you’ve managed to avoid Neelix’s latest creation for the five of you, if only I had been so lucky…”

Seven’s eyebrows shot up incredulously to her hairline, “You didn’t…”

“I did.” Chakotay confirmed ruefully, “One spoonful while Neelix was in front of me and that was enough.” They both laughed, Celeste joining in, before Chakotay noticed Rebi frowning at the replicator. “Seven, honey, what exactly did you tell them to order at the replicator?”

Seven gave a small shrug, perplexed by his concern. “I just gave them access to my supplement programmes, why?”

“Seven, you can’t possibly expect any kids to drink those nutritional supplements of yours!” Chakotay exclaimed in disbelief, “I know you want them to be healthy, but would you expect Celeste to take those?”