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Janeway paced impatiently through the Voyager corridors, heading for the mess hall. What did Neelix want this time?
Upon arriving there, she finds Tom and B'Elanna casually chatting with the Talaxian, Tuvok was also present, making a logical observation about how unproductive it was for Neelix to make such a spicy soup.
“Ah, Captain…” Neelix said. “Is Commander Chakotay on his way?”
“I think so, Neelix. I was in my quarters, resting, or at least trying to rest. What’s this about?”
“Oh, I’ll wait for Commander Chakotay to arrive.”
“Stop the suspense, Neelix, just say it.”
“Not yet. I'll get you some coffee.”
She looked with that familiar look of impatience at Tom and B’Elanna.
“Don’t look at us, we just got here too,” Tom joked.
“I don’t know what it is either. And to be honest, I don’t want to know either. Excuse me, Captain,” Tuvok said, withdrawing and sitting on the mess chair to try to eat something decent that didn’t contain chili.
“Here’s your coffee, Captain.” He handed her the steaming cup.
At that moment, Chakotay entered the mess hall, the rest of the crew had already had their meal a few minutes ago, there was only Tuvok, besides them, sitting in the chair, trying to swallow a meal of dubious origin and strange name, but at least it didn't have pepper, nor leola root.
Janeway sipped her coffee, sip by sip, feeling the velvety, warm liquid down her throat, giving her an almost instant sense of calm.
"Is this a meeting?" Chakotay joked. "What's this about, Neelix?"
"I've been observing some of the crew for a while now, and they seem to be in romantic relationships. But, but, but the problem is that they don't feel comfortable embracing romance, like Tom and B'Elanna. I think they're afraid," the Talaxian began.
Janeway exchanged glances with Chakotay, then with Tom and B'Elanna.
“And what’s the problem, Neelix?” she asked.
“Well, well, well, many people have told me that they feel insecure about publicly admitting their relationship.”
“And why?”
"Perhaps because they're afraid of what their superiors will think. They try to model themselves after you, Captain, and Commander Chakotay."
No one quite understood what Neelix meant, but they thought he was talking about professional behaviors.
“And what do you want us to do?”
"Well, Captain, maybe it's a good idea to encourage these people, to make them feel more comfortable. Tom and B'Elnna are already doing their part by owning up to the relationship."
Janeway placed her hand on her forehead, lowering her head and sighing, a familiar gesture of her impatience.
"Neelix, I've never prohibited anyone from having relationships, and I've made that very clear, as long as it doesn't interfere with their professional lives. What do you want me to do? Make an official statement encouraging people to have romantic relationships?"
“That would be nice, but… perhaps… Captain, perhaps it would be best if you and Commander Chakotay just admit that you are a couple because the entire ship already knows…”
There wasn't even time for anyone to process the information. Before Tom could widen his eyes, or B'Elanna's shock, or Chakotay's mouth dropping open in utter surprise, or even Tuvok's ability to consider whether he'd heard correctly, Janeway, who was drinking coffee at that very moment, mumbling something and grimacing at Neelix's babble, choked on it.
It wasn't just a slight choking, it was disastrous.
The sip of coffee came at a completely wrong time.
She coughed once. Then again. But within seconds, the coughing turned into a desperate struggle for air. The mug slipped from her fingers, spilling coffee across the floor as her body hunched forward and she tried to grasp the hands of whoever was offering her help. The sound of her labored breathing echoed through the cafeteria, which was thankfully empty. Within seconds, Tuvok was at her side, trying to help.
“Captain?!” Neelix stepped closer to her, his eyes wide with panic.
Janeway tried to breathe, but no air came. Her throat burned, and her eyes watered as a biting chill crept up her spine. For a moment, the world seemed to narrow to a single sound: the dull throbbing of her own heart. She fell to the ground, hands in front of her, head down, Chakotay trying to catch her.
“Someone, get the Doctor!” Chakotay said, as he held her cold hands.
Tuvok called to the Doctor with the cold precision of someone who knew exactly what to do, asking him to come to sickbay immediately. Neelix, trembling, tried to remain calm. Tom tried to rush first aid until the Doctor arrived.
A sharp thud between the shoulder blades. Another. And finally, the air came back in a ragged gasp, accompanied by a loud, uncontrolled cough. Janeway gasped, one hand still pressed to her chest, the other clutching Chakotay's hand, as she caught her breath.
It was only a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity.
The silence that filled the cafeteria was almost reverent.
“Are you okay?” Chakotay asked, but she was staring at Neelix, who was still pale.
“O que está acontecendo? Capitão?” O Doutor chegou, exasperado.
“I’m fine.” She waved the doctor away, and he grimaced as if he’d wasted his time.
“By all the suns of Talax… Captain, are you alright?”
“Neelix, where did you get that nonsense?” she asked, as Chakotay pulled her to her feet with Tuvok’s help.
“I, I, I, I… well, that’s what everyone says.”
“Commander Chakotay and I are friends and coworkers.”
“Yes, Captain, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.”
“Okay. Now let’s all get back to work,” she said, without any patience.
Tom tried to stifle a laugh but B'Elanna was still in shock.
“Can someone explain to me what’s going on?” The Doctor asked again.
“Everything is under control, Doctor. You can go back to the infirmary,” Tom said dryly.
The Doctor scowled and left the cafeteria muttering something.
“Chakotay, investigate this, I want to know what these rumors are and where they come from.”
“Calm down, it’s probably nothing… It’s all in Neelix’s head.” He said calmly. “Are you really okay?”
“I am. Still, investigate.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I will return to my quarters now.”
Chakotay chuckled silently, now that the shock had passed.
“Next time you want to try and kill the Captain, Mr. Neelix, call the Doctor first,” Tuvok said, his sarcasm dry.