I can't decide whether "Muse" is meant to mock fanfic writers or support their contribution to the Trek universe.  Still, I could almost imagine it as a dialogue between Braga (B'Elanna) and the relationshipper (Kelis).  I haven't actually seen it yet, so maybe I'll have a better idea after I watch it.  Thanks to Jim Wright, whose detailed review made this story possible.

This story refers to "Insurrection Alpha", the holonovel from "Worst Case Scenario" and the lost scenes from "Resolutions".

***

B'Elanna chuckled as she walked out of sickbay with Harry.  The doctor had given them a clean bill of health and Neelix was throwing a party to celebrate their return to Voyager.  And afterwards ... well, Tom was so cute when he was overprotective.

She chuckled as she remembered Kelis's questioning about her relationship with Tom.

"Something funny?" asked Harry.

"I was thinking about Kelis's Voyager plays," she said.  "'Young Harry Kim' indeed.  You're almost thirty."

"Thanks for the reminder."

"Starfleet's oldest ensign..."

"Let's not go there."

"Naomi has better chances of promotion..."  B'Elanna laughed and ducked as Harry pretended to throw a punch at her.  He obviously had no clue about those quiet meetings Janeway and Chakotay had been having with rest of the senior staff.  The promotion would be announced as soon as Tom and Chakotay came up with a good prank to accompany it.

"But actually I was thinking about all the little things that Kelis got wrong."

"Like what?"

"Like Seven kissing Tom."

Harry chuckled.  "Well, none of us knew how to break it to you..."

This time it was Harry ducking as B'Elanna swung a punch.

"The captain kissing Chakotay," she continued.

"You mean now complete strangers are waiting for it to happen?"

"We could come back in few years and find that a whole new literary tradition had sprung up."

Harry chuckled.  "It already exists.  Haven't you seen Tom's plan for the latest instalment of 'Insurrection Alpha'?"

"I thought he'd given it up to work on Fair Haven.  He said writing the mutiny was no fun since he'd killed Seska off."

"He came up with some new ideas last week.  He showed me the outline just before we left.  And let's just say that this is one instalment the captain won't be approving."

B'Elanna grimaced.  "Does this mean he's given up trying to get him and I together?"

"Yeah, Tuvok sat him down and gave him a lecture about the Dictates of Poetics.  The first hour was so boring that Tom agreed to stop just so he could escape."

"Cute.  So what does Tuvok think about Tom's plan for the captain and Chakotay?"

"He said it was emotional, but logical.  But he made Tom delete the bath scene."

"That's probably for the best," B'Elanna said, trying to keep a straight face.

They reached the turbo-lift and entered.  "Bridge," said B'Elanna.  "I have to give my report to the captain."

"Will you be telling her about all of Kelis's ideas?"

"No ... I thought I'd just put some of them in my written report.  No need to take up her time in the verbal debriefing."

"Good idea," said Harry as they reached the bridge.  He moved to his post.

"Is the captain in her ready room?" B'Elanna asked Tuvok.

"She is in the conference room with Commander Chakotay," he answered.

"Thanks." B'Elanna crossed the bridge and entered.

She exited a few seconds later, hoping that her face wasn't as red as it felt.  Tuvok raised an eyebrow in query.  "They were -- busy.  With something else.  I'll try again later."

But next time, she decided as she took her post, she'd announce herself first.

Life imitating art indeed.

END

Comments, criticisms, chocolate, Robert Beltran pics: elizabeth_barr@yahoo.com.au

Copyright © 2000 Elizabeth M. Barr

Star Trek, Star Trek Voyager and all related characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.  No profit is derived from this story.