Standard Disclaimers...You should know the drill by now.
Neelix looked at the others at the table and nodded. "Breakfast it is...What time is it anyway?"
"Breakfast time," Harry said as he stood and walked over to the counter. "Is there any coffee?"
Neelix followed him, "No coffee, but I can have some tea made in a few minutes...There are some cups in the lower cupboard."
"Tea's fine," Chakotay said. Tom and Harry agreed. They all looked at Tuvok, who had just sat down.
He arched his eyebrow. "I would prefer a Vulcan blend..."
Neelix nodded then smiled. "So, you never told us your initial dream Mr. Vulcan."
"I am not alone in my silence, Mr. Kim has not..."
The door swished open letting B'Elanna in. "Oh!" She stopped in her steps. "Hello." She was wearing a lumpy red sweatsuit.
"Here, have a seat, Neelix is making tea..." Tom stood and pulled a chair from another table for her.
She nodded as she sat down by him. "A pre-breakfast meeting?"
Chakotay grinned. "Yep, we're discussing the cuts we are going to be making to the engineering staff..." He laughed at the evil look she threw him.
"So, none of you could sleep either?" She smiled at the nods. "Good. I'd hate to be alone." She looked around, then put her hand on Tom's before asking, "So Harry, who's the woman of your dreams?"
He didn't respond as the door opened again, and Seven entered. "What is happening?" She asked with a slight cock of her head.
Harry stammered, "Nothing...We just couldn't sleep."
"Maybe some physical exercise..." Seven said with calm assurance.
Everybody watched as Harry stammered something, then busied himself with the cups.
B'Elanna leaned over and whispered in Tom's ear, "I think we know who the woman is."
Tom smiled as he watched his friend. "I would have to agree," he whispered back. Then louder, "Now all we need is the Captain to show up."
"Why?" Harry asked as he placed the cups on the table.
"So we can have our morning staff meetings..."
Seven looked around at the group, "Is this a meeting?"
There was some laughter, then Tom spoke. "Just of the insomniacs anonymous."
"Sleep is necessary for proper maintenance..."
"True," Chakotay said. "It's just that considering our recent experiences..."
"The dreams," Seven stated matter-of-factly. "Were a most peculiar experience. I found it very interesting."
"You couldn't sleep either?" B'Elanna asked.
"I finished my regeneration cycle and was on my way to engineering...I had no problem sleeping as you call it." She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out some of the previous-nights leftovers. "I usually eat at this time." She served herself quickly.
"You're actually eating it cold?" Tom asked in disbelief.
"Yes. I find the texture...less disturbing when it is cold." She started to leave, "Excuse me, but I am on my way to engineering."
Tom shook his head as he sipped the tea Neelix had finally brought. The group was suddenly silent, as the lack of sleep and not wanting to sleep made it's presence known.
Chakotay sipped the tea, he knew he had to set the example and get everybody back in bed...And try to get some sleep. He closed his eyes as he remembered the one part of the dream that he actually wanted to happen. Kathryn touching him, her smile...
"Commander, you look half asleep. Don't tell us you're falling asleep," B'Elanna teased.
"No...Yes...We should all get some sleep. No telling what tomorrow..."
The door slid open again. There was an embarrassed silence as the Captain Janeway looked at her senior staff. She smiled slightly. "Ah ha. And what are you planning?"
"Nothing, Captain." Chakotay said with an answering smile. "And what are you doing here?" He was disappointed that she wasn't wearing her coral gown he had once seen her in. Instead she was wearing a long heavy robe.
"I...I heard there was a meeting. At this ungodly, hour I thought it might be important...Neelix, is that coffee?"
"No, Captain. Tea." He poured her a cup.
She took it and sat down in the seat Harry vacated next to Chakotay. "Well, what have you been discussing?"
The door opened yet again. The doctor stared at the entire senior staff and frowned. "It has been forty-eight hours since any of you last slept." He was holding several hypo-sprays. "This contains a mild sedative. It will help you sleep." Without giving them any chance to argue, he walked over toward the Captain. "Tea." He looked at the offending liquid with disgust. "You need to sleep, not be drinking a caffeine-containing-liquid. Captain, would you be the first."
She started to shake her head, then nodded. He was, unfortunately, right. He quickly injected her, then the others.
"You should now return to your quarters." He smiled. He'd been visiting the many small gatherings of the insomniac crew, who were remembering too much of their nightmares. When delta- shift was relieved in five hours, he'd sedate them too. "Now, all of you go to bed! That's an order." The sedative would allow them to rest and minimize their dreams.
The group started to disband. Neelix and Harry quickly gathered the cups while Tuvok left quietly. B'Elanna giggled at something Tom said, then they left together.
Janeway and Chakotay were the last to leave. They made the trip slowly.
Kathryn yawned a couple of times as they approached his quarters. Suddenly she stopped. "Commander, I couldn't interest you in a game of tennis?"
Chakotay shook his head. "The Doctor said sleep, Kathryn..."
"I heard him...It's just that I...I..."
He took her hand, "Don't want to sleep? No one does...The dreams were..." He laughed slightly. "I think B'Elanna and Tom have the right idea..." He blushed slightly at the implication.
She closed her eyes slightly in thought. "They probably do..." A bigger yawn escaped her lips. "Did the Doctor give me a larger dose?"
"He had to counteract that famous Janeway stubbornness." Chakotay yawned as the drug started taking effect. With a start he realized her hand was still in his. Looking around, he fully expected the moon to appear. When none did, he looked back at their joined hands, then her face. She was smiling.
"I was thinking I don't want to be alone..." She whispered, as she tapped three times on his hand. "See, you are awake." Both yawned and then laughed. "Now, what kind of lucid dreams do you have?"
Chakotay chuckled nervously as. "Why do you ask?" He stepped toward the door which recognized his presence and opened.
She yawned again, "Just curious. While you were explaining, I had the distinct impression that...Well, you know..." Another yawn.
Chakotay pulled her toward his quarters. The door opening giving them admittance. "Some day I'll tell you," he yawned.
She leaned against him; it was several seconds before he realized she was almost asleep. With a gentle smile he picked her up and carried her to his bed. Her eyes fluttered open at the movement. She smiled and leaned his head on his shoulder.
The next day, Kathryn knew that they had crossed a line in their relationship. Even though they had both fallen asleep almost immediately after lying down...That nothing had happened, except a quick kiss in the morning--before she had left for her quarters. They both had realized that they were moving beyond the traditional Captain and First Officer relationship.
She leaned back in her ready-room chair and sipped her coffee. Life in the Delta Quadrant had just improved...