"Bad day," Captain Janeway said to her first officer.

In the aftermath of Seska’s dramatic defection to the Kazon, Voyager’s senior staff was intensely busy. Command codes had to be changed, new security protocols implemented, and systems checked and re-checked for viruses, worms and other possible sabotage. Janeway wanted to speak to Chakotay about the situation, to reassure him that she did not blame him in any way for it, but it was several hours before the opportunity arose. When she finally hit a logical break in her tasks, Chakotay was not on the bridge. The computer advised her that he was in the mess hall.

She found him sitting with Tuvok, which both surprised and pleased her. Although they had overcome their differences sufficiently to work together with courtesy and professionalism, she had not observed any real collegiality between them. This seemed a big step forward.

Chakotay looked tired, which was understandable since they had all been on duty for nearly 20 hours. He also looked chagrined, which was just as understandable. Seska had betrayed him both personally and professionally for years. The closest thing Janeway could imagine would be if she were to learn that Tuvok were a Romulan in disguise. But she and Tuvok had never been lovers.

She took a cup of coffee and piece of pie from counter and went to join them. Tuvok rose as she approached. "Please take my seat, Captain. I am overdue for a meeting with my department heads."

He did not add that new security measures, needed to thwart Seska and her allies, were the reason for the meeting but it was understood. Chakotay’s frown deepened. Janeway felt a surge of sympathy, but restrained herself. Their friendship was still new and delicate, and one thing she was certain of was that Chakotay valued his privacy. So all she said was, "Bad day."

He smiled at her wryly. "Could be worse. She could be in the brig, and we’d be worrying about how to keep her there."

It was a feeble joke but Janeway saw the point. In the long run, they were probably better off that she was gone. "I’m sorry, Chakotay. I know this is hard on you."

"I feel so…" he searched for the right word, then spit out, "stupid. She played me for a fool from the moment we met."

"I don’t know if this will help, but from what I saw in Sickbay, I believe she truly cares for you, spy or not. I don’t think that was an act."

He looked down, and for a moment Janeway feared she had intruded too far into his personal life. "It doesn’t matter," he said at last. "It was over between us before we ever got to the Delta quadrant."

For reasons she couldn’t immediately define, Janeway felt relieved. Probably, she thought, because it means Seska hurt his pride more than his heart, and pride heals faster. With a change in tone that indicated the subject of Seska was closed, she asked, "Do you play tennis?"

"Tennis?" He was caught off guard by the abrupt shift. "Badly. I’ve only played a couple of times."

"I’m not very good, either. At least, not any more. I want to get back into practice, but I need partner. Care to chance it?"

He looked at her quizzically, and she realized it was the first time she had extended an offer to spend time off duty. "I’ll risk it if you will. But that wasn’t false modesty. I really don’t play well."

She shrugged. "If tennis doesn’t work out, there’s always velocity. Holodeck 2, tomorrow at 1800." Rising, she added, "I don’t know about you, but I’m calling it a day. Good night, Commander."

"Good night. And…thank you, Captain."

She smiled and nodded her acknowledgement but noted that he made no effort to leave. Pride heals faster than a broken heart, she thought again. I hope it is only your pride.

-the end-

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