Marooned - Christie Golden [6]
Janeway worried about it at first. At times she thought of Voyager as the proverbial ship in a bottle, except it was more like a ship as a bottle. They were all they had out here, and a thousand shore leaves and a million adventures could not change that one fact. Anything that affected an individual affected everyone in such a situation-especially when it concerned the morale officer.
She soon realized that she'd underestimated both Neelix and Kes. She wasn't privy to their most private thoughts, of course, but it was plain to see that they were determined to let passion mellow into a rich, deep friendship. That was never easy, but, Janeway knew, if such a thing could be done, it was always worth it.
She watched them enter the arboretum, thought about joining them, then remembered a beautiful statue she'd glimpsed in a little shop a few stores back.
She'd leave Kes and Neelix alone, let them amble about in a tranquil, lovely place that brought them both joy. Meanwhile, she'd see if she couldn't get a deal on that statue.
How clever, thought Kes as they entered, using these trailing leaves as the doorway!
She extended a small hand and gently pushed the drooping fronds from an alien tree aside, holding them back so they wouldn't catch poor Neelix in the face. "Isn't this lovely? If only I could have something like this in my hydroponics bay!"
"It reminds me of the tree the humans call the weeping willow," said Neelix, looking about. "Goodness, what a lot of plants."
"We do our best," came a voice from behind them. "I'm the gardener, T'loori Hro. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
Kes turned, saw no one, then glanced down. T'Loori Hro was just shy of a meter in height with pale purple skin and large, black eyes. She had no discernible nose or ears and only a slit for a mouth.. Her body was round, but the small appendages that served for legs and arms seemed adequate to perform tasks. With such a lack of facial features, it was difficult to read her expression, but Kes's commbadge had translated the voice as feminine and friendly.
"We're from the starship Voyager, " Kes replied, dropping to one knee to be closer to Hro's height. "I'm Kes, and this is my friend Neelix. We're particu larly interested in any fruit-bearing plants or vegetables you might have to sell."
liro waved a stubby arm. "Please don't feel you need to crouch, Kes. My people have been dealing with you Talls for centuries. Please," and she waved Kes back to her feet.
"Your station administrator Aren Yashar directed us to you," said Neelix.
"Ah!" There was no change of expression, but the voice was obviously pleased. "Then he'll be wanting me to show you some of the special fungi I keep back here. Which of you will be preparing the meals?"
Neelix stood a little straighter. "That's my job," he said solemnly. Hro bobbed her small head in acknowledgment.
"And clearly you are aware of the responsibility," Hro replied with equal seriousness. "Aren has chosen well. I think you will do justice to my fungi. Will you come with me, please?"
Neelix shot Kes a pleased grin, and she smiled back. The Talaxian took his job as morale officer aboard Voyager very seriously, and preparing meals was his favorite aspect of the position. He looked on it as a life-giving task, a way to both nourish and nurture the crew, and he was always disappointed that most