Distant Shores - Marco Palmieri [24]
Tuvok gazed at her over steepled fingers, exasperatingly calm. “You have already weathered several changes in recent weeks-your separation from Mr. Neelix in addition to your experience with Tieran-so I would advise caution. Give yourself time to ponder the new elements of your personality and fully integrate them before you make any decisions that may be irrevocable.”
Kes nodded. She’d told herself the same thing, but still hadn’t managed to accept it.
As if he’d read her thoughts, Tuvok continued, “In the meantime, I believe you need to find an outlet for your restiveness.” He rose in one swift movement. “Perhaps in lieu of my help at this time, you would consider speaking with another crew member who also struggles with an aggressive side.”
A few minutes after Tuvok left her standing alone in her quarters it finally occurred to Kes whom he must have meant.
B’Elanna Torres was sitting alone in the mess hall, studying engine efficiency diagrams on a padd and ignoring her cooling cup of pejuta, when Kes approached her table.
“Lieutenant, may I ask you something?” She looked even more timid and apologetic than usual.
“Sure, Kes, what is it?” B’Elanna lowered her padd.
“It’s a personal question.”
Oh. She couldn’t remember ever having discussed anything personal with Kes before. Did she want to? She looked into the Ocampa’s earnest blue eyes and made a quick decision, gesturing to the chair opposite hers. “Maybe you’d better sit down, then,” she said.
Kes did, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “I’ve been experiencing some strong emotions lately-aggression and anger, mostly-and I’m looking for a way to deal with them. I’ve heard you complain about your Klingon side, but I can see you’ve learned ways to handle it. I was hoping for some suggestions.”
B’Elanna blinked, then blurted a chuckle. “You’re kidding, right?” She swiveled her head around to search the rest of the room. “Did Tom Paris put you up to this?”
“No. I’m serious,” Kes said in the most emphatic voice B’Elanna had ever heard her use. What was going on with her? Did this have something to do with that warlord guy that had inhabited her body?
“Okay….” B’Elanna shook her head. “I don’t know how successfully I’ve learned to handle my Klingon side. Sometimes I think I should take lessons from you, not the other way around.”
“Really, I think you can help me. What do you do when you can’t sit still and you just want to yell and throw things or you might wind up hurting somebody?”
B’Elanna shrugged. “Lots of times I yell and throw things. If I’m mad enough.”
“You’re able to keep your anger at a manageable level most of the time, though, aren’t you?”
“Well, sure, I don’t have a choice if I’m going to get any work done,” B’Elanna said. “I can’t just go belting every ensign who drops a coil scanner and makes me realign it.” Anymore, anyway. She thought for a minute. “I guess I use physical activity to help me stay on an even keel,” she finally said. “I play a sport regularly, or lift weights, or run the decks. Does any of that sound good to you?”
Kes cocked her head. “Something I could do with other people might be nice. Could you teach me a sport?”
Whoa. She hadn’t been offering anything. Apparently her distress didn’t show on her face, though, because Kes was looking at her expectantly. She tried not to sigh. “Um, okay,” B’Elanna finally said. “Do you have any idea what game?”
“I’ll leave that up to you,” Kes said, and she smiled. It was the first time she had during their entire conversation, come to think of it. “Whatever tires you out enough that it quiets the aggression. Hopefully it’ll work for me, too.”
B’Elanna supposed it couldn’t hurt to try. “Okay. I’ll set it up. My holodeck time is tomorrow at 1500. Holodeck one. Does that