Mosaic - Jeri Taylor [7]
He was taking pains to present a cake that not only had an exquisite flavor but was delectable to the eye, as well. He was squeezing colored icing from a modified hypospray (he had borrowed it from sickbay; he was sure the doctor wouldn't mind) into an intricate design on the cake's surface, a delicate, looping scroll that complemented the smooth surface of the nocha. It had required all his willpower not to sample the nocha, or the cake, before it was presented to his two recipients. He felt somehow that the occasion would be undermined if he partook of the cake's savory delights before they did, that its potency would somehow be lessened. Now, as he bent over it, eyes squinting to make the decoration perfect, the chocolaty aroma wafted over him, through him, permeating his senses with an overpow- ering urgency. It seemed to beg him to taste, to sample just the tiniest crumb, one that no one would ever notice was gone. But he resisted the siren call. He was nothing if not disciplined; that was another quality he had developed in his peripatetic life. He'd learned that giving in to every indulgence was a quick way to lose one's edge; denial had a tendency to fend off complacency and keep one sharp.
He was so engrossed in his task that he didn't hear the soft footfall behind him, wasn't aware of anyone's presence until Kes' soft voice was almost in his ear. "That looks delicious. What is it?" He whirled in dismay. "Kes-what are you doing here?" Her beautiful elfin face, framed by its cap of feathered blond hair, stared back at him in surprise.
"I just stopped by to say hello. Shouldn't I have?" Her consternation undid him, as always. He hastened to reassure her. "Of course you should, sweeting, I'm always delighted to see you. It's just..." He trailed off, wondering if he could still preserve the surprise. "Just what?"
Neelix' mind raced, but he could think of no plausible explanation that wouldn't give away his plan. He opted for honesty. "It was supposed to be a surprise. For you and Tuvok."
Kes' beautiful face erupted in a smile, and she gave Neelix a gentle kiss. "You're so thoughtful. But-why me and Tuvok?"
"You, my love, because I want to share an amazing taste sensation with you. And Tuvok because... because I'm certain this exquisite cake will make him smile."
Kes regarded him fondly. "You just don't understand, Neelix. Tuvok is Vulcan. He isn't supposed to smile."
"I do understand. I understand that the poor man experiences none of the delight that comes from pleasure. What a wretched way to live! If he can control his emotions so well, why not just suppress the negative ones and allow the positive ones to rise to the surface?"
"Don't you remember what happened when he mind-melded with Lon Suder? Anything other than total control could allow very violent, ugly emotions to overwhelm him. It's hard to imagine that tasting a cake would be enough to break through his reserve."
"This isn't just a cake. It's an experience. As you'll discover this evening, my dearest."
Kes' smile was sweet as she departed for sickbay. Neelix returned to his ministrations on the cake, gleefully anticipating Tuvok's response to it, never imagining that the evening would be occupied by activities far more dire than eating Grissibian nocha cake.
They detected the planet at nine hundred hours, and Captain Janeway was pleased. It was a particularly fortunate discovery, for they hadn't collected any supplies after the electrical storm on the last planet-which Chakotay had wryly named "Sizzle." Food stores were dwindling and they had to resupply as quickly as possible.
The heart of the system was a K7-class yellow dwarf star, rich in helium and perhaps ten billion years old-a bit of a senior citizen. The fourth planet had an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and according to sensors was abundant with flora. The possibility of food was temptingly high. There was no indication of a population, although Janeway