Down in Engineering, the security detail had managed to separate the combating parties before the Captain entered.

"What's going on here," Janeway ordered, nodding to one of the security guards attempting to restrain the half-Klingon.

"Apparently there was some disagreement over a procedure, and this one," he said, indicating B'Elanna, "broke Lieutenant Carey's nose, then the others started in on one another."

"Lieutenant, can you make it to Sick Bay?"

"I tink tho," Carey said, trying to staunch the blood flowing from his nose.

"Report there. I'll come up in a minute and get a statement from you."

Captain Janeway stood before B'Elanna. "You again. This is getting to be a habit, and one I wouldn't mind breaking. Your name, it's Torres, right?"

"Yes," she answered, staring defiantly into the Captain's eyes.

"You were the Engineer on the Maquis ship?"

"One of them, yes."

"Commander Chakotay speaks very highly of your abilities," Janeway said, placing her hands on her hips.

B'Elanna looked down at the floor, uncertain how to take the compliment.

"He mentioned something about a temper, though," she continued, causing B'Elanna's head to snap up and lock eyes with the woman before her. "He didn't tell me you'd attack one of my crewmembers over a difference of opinion."

"But there's an easier way to modulate the phase variance!" B'Elanna protested, "and he wouldn't even let me show him!"

"There's a reason we have procedures. It may not always be the 'easiest' route, but it's the accepted one, for the safety of all concerned. If something went wrong, there could have been a core breach."

"There wouldn't have been," Seska interjected. "B'Elanna's done this hundreds of times, with no complications. She wouldn't do anything to hurt your precious little ship."

Kathryn walked over to where a Bajoran woman was also being restrained. There was a hostility emanating from her, but not the same as Torres. Torres was angry, but not at her personally. This woman, however, seemed to be harboring a grudge against her. Janeway supposed all the Maquis were feeling begrudged, but not to the extent this woman seemed to exhibit. She couldn't put her finger on what it was, but there was something dangerous about her.

"The fact that she's done this 'hundreds of times' is beside the point. This is a Starfleet vessel and it follows Starfleet procedures. If either of you is incapable of following this set of rules, there are plenty of positions open in Maintenance that don't require such a strict adherence to policy."

"I'm an engineer, not a janitor," B'Elanna spat back at her.

"Then start acting like one. There's a lot of people on this ship, with opinions you're bound to disagree with. You better find a way to control that temper of yours. Both of you." She added with a look at Seska. "Torres, you're confined to quarters for the rest of the duty rotation. And you," she said, engaging Seska's eyes once again, "watch your step."

Janeway instructed the security guards to escort Torres to her quarters, and the others to get back to work. "I don't want to be called down here again," she warned as she headed for Sick Bay.

*********

It had been nearly a month, and rather than relations getting easier among the crew, the atmosphere seemed more charged than ever. The former Maquis were becoming familiar with the ship and their assignments, and were simply disregarding any Starfleet conventions they didn't agree with. Captain Janeway had called Chakotay into her Ready Room to discuss the situation.

"A report of 'employing unacceptable procedures,' from Phaser Maintenance," she said, placing a PADD on the desk before him.

"A food fight in the Mess Hall." Another PADD. "Unauthorized access to Security Logs," another PADD added to the stack. "Six counts of insubordination from various departments," she said, continuing to place PADDs before him. "Shall I go on? This crew is a disgrace. We have no more integration than we had when we first tried to merge these crews. Frankly, I'm at a loss with what to do with your people."

"My people?" he stated incredulously. "I thought we were past all that 'his and hers' shit." She gave him a warning look at his use of profanity, then rephrased her statement.

"Forgive me. The former Maquis."

"How do you figure it's all the 'former Maquis?'" he asked.

"The evidence is before you!" She almost shouted, her agitation over the situation propelling her from her seat to pace behind him, causing Chakotay to turn in his chair to look at her. He picked up several of the PADDs and read:

"Food fight, initiated by Fitzpatrick, Starfleet. Three of the counts of insubordination are to Maquis, excuse me, former Maquis officers from Starfleet crewmen. Stolen replicator rations, Jarvis, Starfleet. Shall I go on?" He replied sarcastically, throwing her words back at her.

"I can still cite you for insubordination as well, Commander," Janeway warned.

They had a mutual understanding, that when they were alone in her Ready Room, most of the formality was dropped, but she often chose to toss her authority in his face when it suited her. He recognized it as a defense mechanism, and didn't usually act on it, but he was getting tired of the Maquis being blamed for everything that was wrong with the ship. There were problems on both sides, and he could be just as protective of "his" people, as she could be of "hers."

"Fine, throw me in the Brig. And while you're at it, why don't you put all the Maquis back under lock and key in the Cargo Bay. Then all your problems should go away."

"You know damn well that's not what I meant," she stormed. You said when your. . .the latest addition to the crew," she amended, "were given more positions of authority on the ship, things would get better. There wouldn't be as many flare-ups due to frustration of over-qualified people performing routine tasks. I agreed with you, eventually, about B'Elanna's qualifications, and gave you the go-ahead to try the same thing in some of the other departments, but it hasn't seemed to alleviate any of the tension. In fact, I think it's getting worse."

Chakotay had to agree with her, and he also found he was at a loss too, over what to do about it. Could he tell the Captain he was at his wits end? Or did he try to bluff his way through and hope things would get better on their own? He often thought part of her problem was that she didn't let anyone in to help her, to support her decisions other than by following her orders. Here she had given him the opportunity to help her, and he had failed her. Perhaps not failed her, but he certainly hadn't helped her. Maybe he *should* tell her the truth, and together they might be better at making some head-way with the crew, rather than either of them had separately. He opted for honesty.

"You're right, Captain. I'm not sure what to try anymore."

Janeway was surprised at his candor. Expecting an argument, or denial that it had nothing to do with his methods, she was impressed to find he had the confidence to admit he didn't have all the answers. She usually respected him and his opinions, but with this simple confession, he rose yet another notch in her estimation.

In their short time together, she had come to realize how lucky she was to have found him. What would she have done if he had turned out to be the man she'd envisioned from Starfleet's dossier? Things wouldn't be running as smoothly as they were even now. Mutiny wouldn't be a rumor tossed around the Mess Hall, but a very real threat. She realized she had worked with him as Second in Command longer than Cavit, and wondered how things would have been different if he hadn't been killed. Where would Chakotay have ended up? Would he be as willing to help integrate the crews from a lower position? She wasn't foolish enough to think she'd have the same relationship with him as she did now. Perhaps Cavit's death hadn't been in vain. Maybe he died to make room for Chakotay; for the first time, she stopped feeling responsible for the man's death.

"I admire your honesty," she said, relaxing her posture, and ending her pacing. "But I'm out of ideas as well. I know you've done everything you can to make it easier for every one, especially me. I want you to know it I truly appreciate it."

"You'd do the same for me," he said. She thought about it for a moment, as if the thought surprised her.

"You're right, I think I would. I don't know that a month ago I would have, but now, well, things have changed. If only the rest of the crew could see the benefits of 'laying down their arms' and declaring a 'cease fire.'"

"Believe it or not, they have improved. I told you this wouldn't happen overnight, but I think the ground work is being laid. Shall I issue the standard reprimands?"

"Until we come up with a better plan, I guess they'll have to do," she sighed. "I live for the day when we won't be plagued with all this nonsense."

In the end, it was Neelix who started them down the path towards true integration, proposing the first of many informal gatherings for the people of Voyager, giving them an opportunity to learn more about their crewmates beyond their official duties.

*********

"It's ironic, don't you think, that Neelix, more often than not, is the 'glue' that holds this crew together? And he's the one they pick on the most." Kathryn said, leaning over the arm of her command chair, extending her empty glass towards Chakotay. He obliged her and filled her flute.

"That's the last of it," he commented, pouring the rest of the bottle into his own glass. "You're right," he said, continuing her train of thought. "I certainly have done my share of razzing him. I'm surprised he puts up with any of us. My first impression of him was he was this funny little bundle of over-confident claims, who would say anything to hitch a ride on your ship."

Janeway laughed. "You certainly had him pegged! But he's grown. Just like the rest of us. Seriously, could you imagine the ship without him?"

"No, but there are days I'd like to try!" Kathryn slapped his arm, and relaxed into her seat once more.

"He really is a valuable addition to the crew. They all are. I can't imagine this ship without any of them," she said. "And what's even harder to imagine, was there having been a distinct division between us. Outside of their rank bars, it's hard for me to remember sometimes who is, or rather was, who."

"I know what you mean." Chakotay took a sip of his Kessia, and contemplated his next question. "Remember when I asked you if our positions were reversed, if you would 'serve under me?'" The first time he had asked her the question, it had been ripe with double entendre, but this time, he was serious.

"Yes, and as I recall, I said something about 'Captain's prerogative,' or words to that effect. I believe it still stands."

"Come on, Kathryn, answer the damn question!" He grinned, letting her know he was partially joking, but expected an answer.

"If our 'positions' were reversed, would I 'serve,' under you?" Her eyes were playful as this time she purposefully included the sexual innuendoes. "It might be a long, hard fight, Commander, but eventually I'd probably come around."

The End