* * * * *

    The refits to the 'Yavaris II' were complete, and 'Voyager' had received the shipments of equipment that were needed.  B'Elanna was anxious and eager to get the 'Vovager's' refits underway.  The last of the engineering teams from the 'Yavaris II' had arrived to assist, including, B'Elanna was told, the Chief Engineer.
    The engineering team walked through the door, led by a woman with straight blond hair and gray eyes.  Something struck B'Elanna odd about her.  She tried to walk in a conservative manner and failed miserably.  She looked like she was practicing the stingray shuffle whenever she took a step.  She reprimanded the team following her and harshly told them to stop talking, even though B'Elanna had heard conversation about relavant topics.  She reminded her of a school teacher.  The woman looked around until her gaze finally fell on B'Elanna.  She shuffled over to where B'Elanna stood by a bank of consoles, and gave a nauseating grin.
 "Hello," she said.  Her voice was the most annoying thing B'Elanna had ever heard.  She annunciated every single syllable of whatever she said.  She struck B'Elanna as neurotic, slightly crazed, and somehow prone to ballistics.  The woman continued to speak.  "I am Lieutenant Wilma Isaacs.  I am Chief Engineer on the 'Yavaris II'.  I have the last team to assist wth the refits.  May I speak to whoever is in charge here?  Do you know where he is or what he's doing?"
 "You're looking right at her.  I'm Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, Chief Engineer on 'Voyager'."
 "Ohh!" Isaacs said, wringing her hands in the air.  "I'm terribly sorry.  I didn't mean to insult you.  But what are you doing here?  Why are you standing here doing nothing?  You should be supervising your other engineers, seeing if they're doing their job correctly!  My God, who knows what they're doing right now!  Don't you have any sense of responsibility?!"
    B'Elanna was getting very annoyed with the woman, but she held her temper in check.  Few had the guts to talk to her in such a manner.  But if Isaacs had only known what happened to Carey when he got on her nerves... "Well," she said, somehow keeping calm, "I was running a diagnostic to see if the new ion cannons were at optimal parameters.  Then I was going to see our reactor modifications to see if we *can* actually use other fuel.  As for my engineering staff, I've worked with them for over three years.  I have faith in their abilities, and I trust them to do the jobs I assigned them correctly.  I believe you're the team who will help us install the new hyperdirve unit?"
    Isaacs nodded.  "We're the ones!  Have you unloaded the supplies from the cargo bay?"
 "They were unloaded and brought here twenty minutes ago," B'Elanna said.  She began walking toward the warp reactor core, around which all the equipment waited.  "We need you to tell us what to do with all this stuff."
    Isaacs turned to B'Elanna with a look of resentment.  "This is the most sophisticated technology we have in the galaxy," Isaacs snapped, "and you have the *nerve* to call it stuff.  We are installing a Class One hyperdrive unit onto your ship, for crying out loud!  How can you be so ungrateful!"
    B'Elanna took a long, deep breath.  One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six... "Well, Lieutenant,"she said with a voice that had a slightly harder edge to it, but not enough to be noticed.  "We really don't know what to do with it.  I pressume that's what you're here for."
 "It certainly is!" Isaacs said, shaking off what had just happened as if it had never occured.  "Let's get to work."
    The next few hours were grueling.  The first thing they did was integrate the navicomputer module into the ship's bioneural circuitry.  Isaacs breathed down her team's necks constantly.  She was their shadow, always watching what they were doing, but not doing any real work heself.  She would ream them up one side and down the other for the slightest mistake.  She treated them as if they were morons, with no capability to think for themselves.  Her team was made of good engineers.  B'Elanna could tell.  They were competent, some were even brilliant, but they were like chicks who weren't allowed to leave the nest, never allowed to spread their wings, to try something new.  They were prisoners who lived in constant fear of ever making a mistake.
    They then had to install the hyperdrive motivator unit.  B'Elanna had to work personally with the woman, and so did Carey, the poor soul.  He didn't deserve this.  B'Elanna was working the console, preparing to get the motivator online and write a startup program.  Carey got stuck as Isaacs' caddy.  Carey was a good engineer, a candidate for the job of Chief Engineer before she was.  But because she was in the position of authority, he was stuck with a humiliating, insultingly simple task of handing her the tools she needed.
 "Would you please pass the hydrospanner, H-Y-D-R-O-S-P-A-N-N-E-R?"  Carey handed her the appropriate tool and Isaacs frowned at him.  "There is grease on this hydrospanner.  Do you have any respect for your things?  I don't think so, considering how you treat someone else's.  Do you know how hard it it to get grease of this?"  She was nearly shouting, brandishing the hydrospanner like some ancient weapon of war.  Her eyes were hard as lead.  "Last time Nate Westin got grease on it, and I was up till 0300 cleaning it!"
    B'Elanna looked up from her console.  Carey was shocked, he didn't know what to say.  He finally found his tongue.  "There was  grease on that tool before I touched it.  I don't really see what difference it makes, ma'am.  This is a mechanical tool, performance should be  unnaffected-"
 "But it's *GREASY*!" Isaacs shouted.  "Don't you understand Basic?!  And it was *not* greasy when you got it!  You ruined it!  You incompetent grease-monkey!!"  Around them all of Isaacs team cringed, as if they knew what came next.  The whole engineering team on 'Voyager' stared at the altercation.  Carey was shocked.  B'Elanna got up from her console.
 "Ma'am," Carey said carefully, "believe me when I say I didn't put any grease on that tool, and the fact that it's greasy doesn't matter-"
 "Why should I believe anything you say!" Isaacs shouted, her voice livid.  "You're lying trash!  This tool was *CLEAN*, and now it's dirty!  And it does matter, it matters to me!"
 "Ma'am, I tell you again-"
 "SHUT UP!!!"  Isaacs screamed, she raised the hydrospanner as if to strike him.  B'Elanna was faster.  She went to her, twisted the hydrospanner out of her grip, and spoke with a hard, loud voice.
 "Isaacs," she shouted calmly over the din, "that's *enough*!"  She locked Isaacs with a gaze that was stern, unwavering.  Isaacs seemed intimidated.  "I will not allow you to ream one of *my* staff up one side and down the other.  There was grease on the tool.  So what?!  Your ballistics are completely uncalled for!"
 "You don't understand," Isaacs said in a suddenly calm voice, "what trouble it is to get grease off those tools."
 "The tools will be *used*," B'Elanna said.  "Getting them dirty is innevitable.  If you're afraid to roll up your sleeves, I don't see how you can be in this line of work.  Furthermore, *you* don't understand how much trouble it is *for you* when you insult *my* engineering staff.  I'm sure that General Antilles and Major Jade would *love* to hear my appraisal of your work."
 "You have no right to talk to me that way!" Isaacs said to B'Elanna.  B'Elanna hardened her gaze and her voice.
 "Yes, I do!" she said.  "You are on *my* ship and you are supposed to be *assisting* with the refits, not *hindering* them.  I have no need of this behavior, I have no need of your 'help', and if I need a babysitter for my engineers, which I don't, I'll call Neelix!  Now get out of my Engineering Section!"
    Isaacs looked at B'Elanna, her mouth agape.  "You can't do that!  I'm the only one who can show you how to do the refits!  You *need* me!"
 "I don't think that's true," B'Elanna said.  "I'm pretty sure, despite your opinion of them, that the rest of your staff is quite capable of showing us what we need to know about the hyperdrive.  Nate Westin is pefectly capable of coordinating your team.  And as for *needing* you, right now, I need you just as I much as I need one of Neelix's leola root dishes!  Get out before I call Security!"
    Isaacs spun on her heel and stormed toward the door, a look of absolute fury on her face.  As the door slid shut behind her, everyone in Main Engineering gave an ecstatic applause, but all B'Elanna could do was stand there, and hope this wouldn't damage their relations with the new Republic.
 

    * * * * *

    The door to Kes' quarters chimed.  "Come in," she called.
 "Hi," Harry said as he entered the room.  He kissed her and smiled brightly, but his smile faded when he saw the look on her face.  "What is it?" he asked.
 "I have something to tell you," she replied.
 "Okay," he said, "I'm listening."
 "I spoke to Major Jade the other day," she began.
 "And?" Harry prompted.
 "And she tested me for Jedi potential.  She says I'm very strong in the Force and she wants me to think about going to the 'praxeum' on Yavin IV," Kes finished, looking at Harry uncertainly.
    Harry was silent for a few moments, but finally he spoke.  "What do you want to do?" he asked softly.
     "I don't want to leave you...but I want to learn how to use my powers.  Mara says I can return to 'Voyager' once my training is complete.  She says I could be the first of the Jedi to go among the rest of the galaxy teaching those with the potential how to use their powers.  What do you think I should do?"
 "I don't want you to leave, either, Kes.  We just got together.  There are so many things we haven't done, but you have to do what you feel is best for you.  I love you, Kes, and whatever you decide, I'll stand behind you."
    He pulled Kes into his arms and held her close.  Kes hugged him and once again noted how lucky she was to have found a man like Harry.
 

    * * * * *

     "What can I do for you, Kes?" Janeway asked.  She and Kes were seated on the couch in her ready room.
 "I spoke to Major Jade."
 "What about?"
 "About the Jedi.  She determined that I have great potential, and she wants me to think about attending the 'praxeum' on Yavin IV."
 "I see," Janeway said, a look of understanding on her face.  "Have you mentioned this to Harry?"
    Kes nodded.  "He said that whatever I decide, he'll stand behind me."
 "What are you going to do?"
 "I'm not sure.  I don't *want* to leave 'Voyager'.  You're like my family, but I want to learn to use my powers.  Mara said I can return to 'Voyager' once my training is completed and I can train others in the ways of the Force."
 "It sounds like something worth doing, Kes," Janeway said.  "That is, if you really want to."
 "I do, Captain, but I don't want to leave you all.  What will the Doctor do in Sick Bay?  Who will be his assistant?"
 "I'm sure we could find him one as capable as you, Kes."
 "What about Harry?  What will he do?"
 "Harry will wait for you, Kes.  He loves you."
 "He loved Libby, too."
 "This is different.  Star Fleet thinks we're dead.  She's probably moved on with her life."
 "He'll be lonely."
 "He's got Tom and B'Elanna.  They'll take care of him."
 "I suppose you're right, Captain.  I'll do it."
    Janeway reached out and hugged her.  "I'm so happy for you, Kes.  I know you've always wanted this.  You'd better go and tell Harry you've made your decision."
    Kes nodded and left.                                                            "Come in," Harry said in answer to the chime of his door.  Kes entered his quarters.
 "I've made a decision," she said after she kissed him hello.
 "You're going."
 "Yes," she replied.
 "If it's what you want, it's what I want," he answered.
 "It's what I want," she said, "but I'm going to miss you so much."
 "I'll miss you, too, but it's not forever.  You'll be back."
    Kes hugged him tight then straightened up.  "I guess I'd better tell the 'Yavaris II' they'll have another passenger."
 

    * * * * *

    The door to Wedge's ready room chimed.  "Come in," he said.  The door opened to admit Mara Jade.  She looked awfully happy about something.  Her emerald green eyes sparkled with a brilliance he rarely saw, but one that was becoming more frequent since she had been assigned on board the 'Yavaris II'.
 "What is it?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.
 "I just got a transmission from 'Voyager', she said.  "We've got a new passenger."
 "Who?" he wondered.
 "Kes.  She has decided to attend the 'praxeum'."  Mara smiled triumphantly.
 "That's wonderful news," Wedge said in an excited tone.  Mara's good mood was contagious.  "Do Han and Leia know?  And what about Luke?"
 "I've sent a message to Yavin, and I informed Han and Leia personally."
 "Good."
 "There's more," she said, her eyes sparkling even more now.
 "More?"
     "It seems that Neelix, 'Voyager's' Morale Officer among other things, has decided to throw a party this evening.  It's a combination going away party for Kes and celebration of the technology trade.  Captain Janeway has invited several members of the crew to attend along with Han, Leia, Chewie, Threepio and Artoo."
 "Tell Captain Janeway we'll be there."
 "I already have.  There's one thing though..." she hesitated.
 "What is it?"
 "It's a formal party."
 "Oh," Wedge said stifling a grimace.  "I'll bet Han and Chewie are just *loving* this."
 "Well, you know Han," she offered.
 "Yeah," he said with a grin, "I do.  What time is the party?"
 "1800."  She handed him a data pad.  "They'll beam us over from these coordinates."
 "Excellent.  Who is attending?"
 "You and I.  Then there's Han, Leia, Chewie, Threepio, Artoo, Isaacs, Sams, Schwarte, Conkling, Clayton, Coe, Ormes and Westin; and Blair and Storm, of course."
   Wedge nodded his approval.  "Of course," he said with a smile.  He knew as well as the rest of the crew that John Ormes had the world's biggest crush on Felicia Blair, a blond-haired,
blue-eyed beauty who worked in Engineering, and Nate Westin had his heart set on Alyssa Storm, also an engineer, but she had auburn hair and sapphire blue eyes.  Both women seemed equally as interested in Ormes and Westin.  He was glad they'd been able to find someone.  Life on a starship could get lonely.  He looked at Mara.  She must be lonely, too.  The New Republic didn't *forbid* a commanding officer to get involved with one of his subordinates, but they didn't exactly kick up their heels when it happened, either.  He wondered what Mara would do if he made a move.  He made up his mind to find out when they returned to Coruscant.  "Is there anything else?" he asked.
   "I told Kes she could beam over before we depart in the morning.  I thought she would want time to say goodbye to everyone, especially Ensign Kim.  He's her boyfriend, you know."
    Wedge nodded.  "That's fine," he said.
 "Well, I guess I'd better get ready for the party.  I'll see you later."
 "I look forward to it."
 

    * * * * *

    The guests from the 'Yavaris II' arrived on the transporter pad and were lead to Holodeck 2 where Tom and Harry had helped Neelix to create a magnificent program for the "Party of the Millenium", as Neelix had called it.  They entered the holodeck and Han, Leia and the rest of those attending from the 'Yavaris II' looked around in awe.  The holodeck had been transformed into a Victorian mansion.  There were two staircases leading up to a second tier of the house.  The main entryway where they now stood was made of dark cherry wood.  There were enormous tapestries hanging on the walls and they could hear the litling tones of a band coming from the east.  A servant came up to them.  He was impeccably dressed in a topcoat and tails.
 "Ah, distinguished guests," he said.  "Please follow me.  The Captain is expecting you."
    They followed him into the ballroom where 'Voyager's' crew had already gathered.  The ballroom was exquisitely done.  It was white marble with huge pillars that extended from ceiling to floor.  There was an enormous dance floor in the center of the room with a brilliant crystal chandelier hanging over it.  French doors opened from the ballroom out into a courtyard.  In the center of the courtyard, there was a large pond with a fountain in the center.  Water lillies floated in the pond and the rest of the courtyard was adorned with statues.
    Kathryn and Chakotay came over to greet them.  Kathryn wore a cadet blue gown which matched her eyes perfectly.  A matching wrap was draped over her bare shoulders.  Her hair was elegantly coiffed in a french twist.  "I'm glad you could make it, Madame Chief of State," she said.  "Welcome aboard 'Voyager'."
 "Welcome, Madame Chief of State," Chakotay said.  "It's a pleasure to see you again."  Chakotay wore his dress uniform.  He felt a little strange wearing it, it had been put away for so long.
 "Thank you, Captain, Commander," Leia replied graciously.  She had agreed to allow Chewbacca and 'Voyager's' security team to protect her so she could attend the party.  "This 'holodeck', I believe you called it, is a wonder."  She wore a white sleeveless gown and a white cape was draped across her shoulders.  Her hair was braided and arranged in a crown on the top of her head.
 Han opened his mouth to speak, but for some reason, he was unable to form a coherent sentence.  It was difficult for him to believe that all of their surroundings, which looked so incredibly real, were holograms. Han wore his own dress uniform at Leia's insistance.  Various medals adorned it.  Chewbacca stood beside him, wearing a golden sash.  Beside Chewbacca stood Threepio and Artoo, who both looked like they had been buffed to perfection.  Behind them stood Wedge, wearing his dress uniform, and Mara, dressed in a long emerald green dress.  It was sleeveless and had a slit up the back.  Unlike Leia and Kathryn, though, Mara had elected to leave her shoulders bare.  Her fiery hair was piled in curls at the crown of her head and tendrils framed her face.
 "General, Major," Kathryn greeted them, "it's a pleasure to see you both again."
 "It's a pleasure to be here, Captain," Wedge replied.  "This is a big moment for the New Republic.  Never before have we met a race of people so technologically advanced."
 "Thank you, General," Janeway said.
 "I hear that Kes is going back to Yavin IV with you," Chakotay said to Mara.
 "Yes.  She wishes to learn how to use her powers.  Don't worry, Commander," Mara added reassuringly, "Kes will be back once her training is complete."
    Kathryn turned to the next of the guests from the 'Yavaris II'.  "Welcome aboard 'Voyager'," she said warmly.
 "Thank you, Captain," replied John Ormes.  He, too was wearing his dress uniform.  "I'm Lieutenant John Ormes of Rogue Squadron.  This is my companion for the evening, Felicia Blair.  She works in Engineering."
    Janeway looked at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman standing beside Lieutenant Ormes.  She was tastefully clad in a pale pink chiffon dress.  It had a halter neckline and it set her eyes off beautifully.
 "It's lovely to meet you both," Janeway replied.  "You're fine officers."
 "Thank you, Captain," they replied in unison.
 "Enjoy the party," Kathryn said as she left to introduce herself to the other guests from the 'Yavaris II'.
    On the other side of the room, the crew of 'Voyager' was introducing themselves to the guests.  B'Elanna walked up to Nate Westin and started a conversation with him and his companion for the evening, Alyssa Storm.  Tom stood on the other side of the room with Harry and Kes, looking longingly at B'Elanna.  Her short, cheongsam dress was gold satin and had black designs running through it.  It showed off her legs rather nicely.
    Harry looked over at Tom.  "Why don't you go over and ask her to dance?" he suggested.
 "She'd probably turn me down," Tom replied, clearly miserable.
 "Maybe not," Kes put in. "She seemed to be having fun the *last* time you asked her to dance."
 "You're right," Tom said and made his way across the room.  After greeting Nate and Alyssa, he lead B'Elanna off to the dance floor.
    Randy Coe and Bill Clayton, both wearing their dress uniforms were standing off to one side of room with Kris Schwarte and Barb Conkling.  Kris was wearing a red strapless dress and Barb was dressed in purple.
 "So, what do you guys think?" asked Kris in a conspiratorial whisper.
 "Think about what?" Randy inquired.
 "The General and the Major," Kris said, motioning to where they were standing.
 "Twenty credits says he asks her to dance," Bill said.
 "Yeah, and twenty more say she'll turn him down," Randy responded sarcastically.
 "You don't think they'll ever cross the line?" Barb asked.
 "No way," Randy replied.
 "How can you be so sure?" Barb wanted to know.
 "Because I'm usually right," Randy said matter of factly.
     "A little sure of ourself, aren't we?" Kris countered.
 "Okay, I'll prove it.  If I were to ask you to dance right now, I know exactly what you'd say."
 "Are you sure about that?" Kris asked.
 "Absolutely," Randy replied confidently.
 "Okay then, ask me," Kris challenged.  Randy was so sure of himself that he missed Kris winking conspiritorially at Barb, but Bill caught it.  *Oh boy,* he thought, *this was gonna be good.*
 "Do you want to dance?" Randy asked, preparing to pounce when she said no.
 "Okay," Kris replied.
 "See!  I *told* you she would-"  Randy turned to Kris.  "What did you say?" he asked.
 "I said, 'okay'.  See, you *don't* know everything."  Kris smiled knowingly at Barb and Bill as she led a flustered Randy onto the dance floor.  Barb and Bill shook their heads, sharing a laugh before they joined their friends.
    Joe Carey came up beside Samantha Wildman.  She was wearing a burgundy velvet gown.  It was simple but elegant.  Her blond hair was pulled into a sophisticated twist at the nape of her neck.  Tendrils hung to her shoulders, framing her face.  She was beautiful.  Carey looked out at the couples dancing on the dance floor: the Captain and Chakotay, the Chief of State and her husband, Harry and Kes, Tom and B'Elanna, the General and the Major, Randy and Kris, Barb and Bill, John and Felicia, Nate and Alyssa, Isaacs and Sams.  Even the Doctor had a companion.  He decided that he couldn't go on living in the past anymore.  His wife had probably moved on, and it was about time that he did, too.  Samantha looked at him and smiled.
 "Would you like to dance?" he asked.
 "I'd love to," Samantha replied as he lead her out onto the dance floor.
    The party continued well into the evening.  Leia, Han, Chebacca, Threepio and Artoo approached Captain Janeway while she and Chakotay were taking a break from the dancing.
 "I would like to thank you for your hospitality, Captain," Leia said.
 "Are you leaving so soon?" Janeway asked.
 "I'm afraid so," Leia replied.  I must be getting back to Coruscant.  Besides, I have three children who are probably causing all sorts of mischief for my aide right about now."
 "I understand, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said with a sympathetic smile.  "I am honored that you were able to see our ship."
 "Thank you, Captain," Leia replied.  "I bid you and your crew goodbye.  If you are ever in the Coruscant system, please stop by and visit us at Imperial Palace."
 "I will most definitely look you up, Madame Chief of State," Janeway said.  The rest of them said their farewells and Janeway arranged for Leia and her entourage to be beamed back over to the 'Yavaris II'.  No one noticed that Harry and Kes had also left the party.  They had gone back to Kes' quarters where they could say their own private goodbyes to each other.
 The next day, Kes said her final farewell to 'Voyager' and beamed aboard the 'Yavaris II'.  Captain Janeway noticed Harry manning Operations, trying to cover his sadness as he watched the ship depart on the main viewer.  She knew that she needn't worry about him, though.  Tom and B'Elanna would cheer him up.

On to Part 9

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