The Captain came back to the mess hall tonight. It was late in Beta shift, just before the pre-shift rush, and the Commander was the only person still there. He was working at a portable computer and finishing an herbal tea. She stopped and looked around the room, and for a moment I thought she was going to leave, so I hurried over to her. "Captain," I said, trying to curb my enthusiasm. I had a feeling she didn’t want a fuss made. "It’s good to see you back again. The pasta is not quite ready, but the coffee is hot and strong – just the way you like it."

Her gaze was still on the Commander as she spoke. "That’s all right, Neelix, I really came for something else." Then she looked at me, and smiled. "Keep the coffee handy, though."

She went to the replicator and ordered a chocolate sundae with two spoons, then took it to the Commander’s table. He had not turned or acknowledged her presence, but I had seen him watching her reflection. He knew she was coming, but he couldn’t gauge her mood any more than I could.

"My last self-indulgence for a while," she said, setting the sundae in the middle of the table and offering him a spoon. "Care to join me?"

He took the spoon. Then my pasta started to boil over, and I had to get back to the stove. My curiosity was killing me, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

The entire ship was buzzing about what had happened earlier. The Commander had orchestrated the entire bridge crew into defying her orders. He was absolutely correct, in my opinion. The Captain had no business even thinking about leaving us. But then again, she is the Captain, and he did disobey her on her own bridge…Was she angry? I could see them, reflected in the glass, as they ate the sundae. Neither of them were smiling, but they didn’t look angry, either.

They certainly didn’t raise their voices.

Once, she used her spoon to point at him, emphasizing something she said. He just pointed back with his spoon. That made her smile – or rather, she gave him that half smile she has, the one where her mouth tugs to one side. It usually means she is amused but thinks it would be un-captainly to show it.

I knew then that everything was going to be all right.

The sundae was gone just as I had my pasta under control again. I heard him say, "After that calorie fest, I need some exercise. I’m still looking for a velocity opponent."

"Not tonight, Commander. I’ve got to finish my rounds. But if you’re still interested tomorrow, after Alpha shift –"

"You’re on," he said immediately, and rose. "Good night, Captain."

"Good night." She smiled easily as he left. Then she looked right at me. I don’t think she knew I’d been watching, but then again, you never know with Captain Janeway. "Neelix, I could use that coffee now."

I came over at once with the pot and a mug. "It’s good to have you back, Captain."

She looked at me with a smile that I can only describe as wry. "I haven’t been that far away, Mr. Neelix."

Even now, she still doesn’t understand how important she is to all of us. "Far enough, Captain," I said.

For a moment, I thought I had gone too far; she looked at me with a frozen expression and slate-colored eyes. Then she relaxed. "I suppose you’re right," she said. "I thought I’d chat with some of the Gamma shift crew before they go on duty. What do you think?"

I couldn’t help smiling. "I think," I said, trying not to be too flattered that she asked my opinion, "that they will be very happy."