Chapter 5 to 7 added on 30 Jan 2001
Disclaimers are in part 1.
Rating: PG13
Part 5
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The following afternoon found Seven, Commander Kim, and Lt. Torres sitting in the captain's ready room. B'Elanna was there to give the captain her update on the repair schedule and let her know what still needed to be done.
"Well, Captain, surprisingly repairs seem to be moving along quicker than I expected. We're already at 65% of normal operating conditions and steadily climbing. We should be able to finally fly off of this rock within the next few days. Here's a detailed report of the repairs that still need to be made and I also included some possible improvements we could make while we're fixing Voyager anyway." The engineer handed a pad over to the Borg sitting behind the desk. Quickly, the captain looked over it nodding at some of the projected improvements.
"Very good work, Lieutenant. I shall look this over more thoroughly when I have the chance and if I have any suggestions to add, I will let you know."
"Thanks Captain." Some how the compliment from Seven was all the more appreciated now that she was the captain and it warmed B'Elanna to her core.
"And here's my report on all the shift changes and promotions that will take place within the next few days. Chakotay's job may have looked easy, but let me tell you that it took me all of yesterday and into the night and then again for most of the morning to come up with a way to rearrange these schedules," Harry complained as Seven looked over the report. There seemed to be no conflicts between shifts and the captain agreed with all of the promotions to the main positions. She was willing to approve the changes.
"Everything here seems to be in order. Make it so, Number 1." Seven authorized. And with that both Lanna and Harry broke out into hysterical fits of laughter. The captain on the other hand just raised her eyebrow.
"Some how, I doubt that was not a Borg designation," Lanna tried to explain after she finally got her laughter under control.
"Indeed it was not. I... did some research last night on what is expected of me as captain, so I researched other captains," Seven hesitantly explained.
"Yeah, one captain in particular," Harry managed to get out before he broke down into fits of laughter again.
"I am unfamiliar and uncomfortable with being captain and had to research the subject extensively," Seven defended and decided that perhaps the nickname did seem odd coming from her. 'Perhaps I will refrain from using any form of nickname.' She considered as she decided a change in subject was necessary. "Now, Commander, while reviewing your report, I noticed that one position still remained open."
Seven knew that Commander Chakotay and Captain Janeway had a very close relationship and she expected it to be the same between herself and Mr. Kim. But this captain wasn't sure of how much more friendly bantering she could take from her second in command. She wasn't that advanced in humanity yet. Immediately both laughing officers heard the change in tone of their commanding officer and realized it was back to business. B'Elanna was happy to have had at least a moment in which she could joke around with her captain. That never really happened between her and Janeway.
"Kim to Lt. Davis." Harry responded to Seven's inquiry by tapping his comm badge.
"Lt. Davis here, Commander." Came the disembodied voice which made Harry cringe after hearing the last word.
"Please report to the captain's ready room."
"Aye, sir."
"Kim out."
"I must admit it is quite comforting to know that I am not the only one uncomfortable with their new position," Seven remarked with what could only be described as a smug smirk. This of course got the expected response of poor Harry bursting out in laughter again after realizing that the ex-drone had gotten him back and got him good.
B'Elanna had just sat back and watched the interaction take place. She was even more impressed with the way Seven was handling herself today than she was yesterday. The Borg seemed quite determined to make the transition after the crisis as easy as possible for everyone involved. She was giving Naomi the love and comfort she so desperately needed after losing her mom and uncle. She gave Lanna the time and opportunity to vent and grieve in private while she took over the ship. And the captain showed Harry just how truly uncomfortable she was being captain. A weakness that Lanna knew must have been very hard for Seven to admit to. 'But who was helping her out through this time? Who was showing her that she was cared for and loved?' But before the lieutenant could continue her thoughts, the chime to the door sounded.
"Come." Seven ordered, still not able to make the order sound not like an order.
Lt. Mitchel Davis walked in and stood at attention in front of the captain's desk.
"Lt. Davis reporting as ordered, ma'am."
"Lieutenant, at ease. I believe the Commander here wanted to ask you a few questions not inquisition you." Captain Seven raised her infamous eyebrow.
"Uh, yes, Seven, uh, ma'am, uh I mean Captain." Davis stuttered out.
"Yo, Davis, relax. I promise if the captain hasn't assimilated me yet, then nothing's going to happen to you," Torres jumped in trying to put the young man at ease.
Davis was part Betazoid and he sensed that the atmosphere was quite relaxed, besides the engineer was right. If she was dead yet after all the times that she upset the new captain, then Seven had to have some great amount of patience. Mitchel smiled at the thought that their captain may not be so bad after all.
"Davis, why don't you give your request to the captain personally," Kim tried to encourage the lieutenant to speak up.
"Well, Captain. I was wondering if I could take over Neelix's position of head chef. I doubt I could do a good job of being a diplomat or even a good morale officer but I do know how to cook a decent meal. My mother's mother was a chef, my mother was a chef and now that cooking gene seems to have passed down onto me. I would like to try the challenge of cooking for a hundred or so people if you give me the chance."
"Why the sudden interest in cooking, Lieutenant?" Seven knew that there had to be more to the man's reasons then just wanting to cook for everyone. Neelix tried for years to get an assistant chef yet no one volunteered.
Davis sighed realizing he had to be completely honest with his captain if he wanted this job. "I'm scared, Captain. This last attack by the Grendali really shook me up. I remember being down in engineering and watching bodies flying about, blood flowing everywhere, limbs being severed left and right. I was unable to concentrate on my job because I was so scared that was it. After all we've been through, we still weren't going to make it home. I just can't do that any more. I know that living on this ship is dangerous enough as it is, but working in engineering or any other vital part of the ship just makes it all the more dangerous. At least with being head chef, I won't have to worry about battle stations or fixing this or that in time so the ship doesn't implode. I need the break."
"Very well, Lieutenant. But I want you to understand that being head chef can be stressful in and of itself. You will have to cook for 113 crewmen every day until you can find a replacement or train an assistant. You will not get days off like you have in the past and will still be required to go on away missions in search of food stuffs. You will also be in charge of maintaining the 'gardens' along with the help of the bioengineering department. You may not be officially considered a morale office but I expect you to know that as the one person who will come in constant contact with all of the crew you will have an effect on their moods as well as their perception of things. Do you still wish to be head chef now?" Seven asked as both Harry's and Lanna's eyes shot wide open in shock. It sounded more like the captain was trying to dissuade Davis from becoming head chef than encouraging him.
"I do." Mitchel smiled a coy smile realizing he was being challenged by his captain.
"Acceptable. I expect a report on my desk by 1000 hours tomorrow morning regarding the amount of food stuffs we currently have and if and when we will need to restock our supply. I would also like to know how it is that you plan to run the mess-hall and expect a report on that as well. You may have the rest of the day off in order to get yourself acquainted with your new job and the Commander here will shortly there after change over your shift schedule to reflect your position change to head chef."
"Acceptable." Davis echoed back at his new captain with a smile on his face. He had a feeling he was going to like his new job and his new captain. Both were going to be tough but both were also going to be very rewarding.
Captain Seven nodded her head and effectively dismissed Lt. Davis.
"The Commander here will inform you of when the changes will go into effect."
"Aye, Captain. And thank you for this opportunity."
Davis turned and left the three senior officers alone in the room to finish off the rest of the meeting.
"Was there anything else that needed to be brought up?" Seven asked of the other two.
"Actually, I did want to ask you about something." B'Elanna began tentatively. "I was thinking about spending some of the extra repair time that we now seem to have and work on a small project."
"Indeed?" Seven was surprised that the engineer had something in mind since she herself hadn't heard of any new project that needed to be done.
"Well, now that you are captain, I was thinking that it may be time for you to stop regenerating in cargo bay 2. It makes you too vulnerable. I thought that maybe myself and a few of my staff could work on building a smaller version of your alcove so that you can move into the captain's quarters."
"Indeed." It seemed that that was all Seven could say at the moment. Not only was she uncomfortable with moving out of the cargo bay, her safe haven, but it was into Janeway's quarters. Not the captain's quarters but Janeway's. Besides what about Naomi? As if reading her mind, Lanna continued.
"I know that moving into Janeway's quarters will be uncomfortable at first but it has to be done. After all, you are the new captain. They're your quarters now. And about Naomi. I'm sure we could construct a second bedroom in 'your' quarters for her. It certainly is big enough. I know that because her father is still alive in the alpha quadrant you can't adopt Naomi, but just remember Seven that family isn't just made up of namesakes. You are now her only family left and she's yours. I don't think the crew would object to her moving in with you into the captain's quarters."
"I will inform Naomi of what you have suggested and if she agrees and provided you can develop a working miniature alcove, then we will move into 'my' quarters."
"Then it's a done deal. I'm sure Naomi will agree so the only question is when can I get your portable regenerator working. Perhaps when you get a chance, you can add some of your Borg knowledge to the project?"
"Perhaps." Seven said still trying to adjust to the idea of having her own quarters.
"Wow, Seven you went from having no quarters to having the captain's quarters. Some people have all the luck." Kim whined.
"Indeed. Perhaps you have changed your mind on wanting the position of captain?"
"On second thought, maybe not."
"If that is all, I would also like to remind you both that tomorrow prior to the end of the alpha shift, there is our first senior staff meeting."
"Right."
"I remember." Both officers knew when they were being dismissed and so both got up with that being said and left the room to continue on with their duty shifts. Seven stayed behind to finish reviewing the reports and wondered just when all of the surprises would stop coming.
Part 6
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The first ever staff meeting for the new members of the senior staff was about to get underway. All of the new, as well as old senior staff members, were already in attendance and seated in the conference room. Seven had finally taken the captain's chair at the opposite end of where she used to sit, while Harry moved into Chakotay's old seat to the right of the captain. B'Elanna was seated where Tuvok used to sit on the left of the captain, while Lt. Keller the new operations officer sat next to her. Next to Keller sat Lt. Ben Harris, the new tactical officer. Rounding out the left side was a empty chair. On the opposite side next to the commander sat the Doctor and next to him sat the ship's chief pilot, Lt. Beth Kayla. Next to her was seated Lt. Delaney the new head of astrometrics. They were all waiting for one other person to arrive. Lt. Davis had asked the captain if he could join the meeting and she had readily agreed wondering what he would have to contribute. Davis walked in two minutes before the staff meeting was scheduled to start.
"Am I late?" Davis had the audacity to question the captain as he took his seat. He knew that Seven had impeccable timing and he wanted to show that he also took his new responsibilities seriously by being so busy he couldn't be early but not so busy that he would end up being late.
"No, Lieutenant. You are right on time." Seven gave a small nod as she directed him to take a seat.
"Though we were starting to worry," Keller piped up. He and Davis, as well as the others, began to feel a bit more comfortable around the command team ever since their meetings with Seven concerning their promotions.
Seven cleared her throat, something she had seen Tuvok do on many occasions when he wanted the attention of others. "Shall we 'get down to business'?" Seven received a few nods and respectful silence in response. She nodded over to Harry suggesting that he start the meeting off with his report.
"Right. In the data pads that are in front of you are copies of the planned scheduling changes as well as all of the proposed promotions. Since you are all now heads of your respective departments, Captain Seven thought it would be wise for you all to check through them. If you find any conflicts or problems with some of the changes, please let me know so that we can do something about it. Otherwise, the changes will go into effect the day after tomorrow. If you have any other personnel problems please make an appointment to see me and we will get it all settled. I also would like to say that I do know how hard everyone has been working lately and we all appreciate it. But we do know how tired we can all get especially after such a stressful time. With the captain's blessing, I have asked Lt. Delaney to go some of our most recent sensor data looking for a nice M-class planet that would be suitable for shore leave. And with that cue, I'll let our astrometrics officer take the floor."
"Yesterday, I discovered a M-class planet that is only a few days away at warp three, which would be quite suitable for shore leave. There are no other species occupying this sector of space, so it will definitely be a good time for all of Voyager to kick back and relax. It seems to be very similar to Earth in it's atmosphere and vegetation and I recommend we settle Voyager down on the planet itself." Jennifer was extremely proud of herself by the time she finished her report. Even though she was extremely nervous she didn't stutter or go 'uh' once.
"Captain, that would probably be a great idea." B'Elanna cut in. "Right now, being on this moon, it's very difficult to go outside the ship and repair some of the outer hull damage that we sustained from the attack. If we could land on a planet that had breathable air, we would be able to repair the hull damage quicker and more thoroughly. Not to mention that we still have yet to check for any warp fissures that may have formed on the hull due to the stress from the warp field."
"Alright, I'll consider the request once we are able to leave this moon and begin our travels toward the planet. I also agree that we could all use some shore leave. Commander, will you please set up a tentative leave schedule for that possibility. Lt. Kayla, I also believe you had a request to make?"
"Yes, Captain. I was wondering if you could possibly allocate some holodeck time for me to use during my off hours. With Tom being the best aboard Voyager he was the one who tended to fly the ship during the most dangerous situations as well as he Delta Flyer. I was hoping that I could train a bit in the flight simulators on the holodeck to hone my skills?"
"That would be acceptable. I will discuss the times you can use the holodeck with the Commander and get back to you once we have figured out the best time for you to accomplish your goal. Perhaps you would also be willing to train another pilot while you are training?"
"Sure, no problem."
"Lt. Harris, how are you managing with your new security squad?" the captain asked.
"Fine, ma'am. I've already held a little meeting with everyone involved in security matters and discussed what I expect of them and how I plan to run the department. No problems here."
"Good. Mr. Keller how are operations coming along?"
"Some of the communications equipment is still a little banged up as well as some of the sensor equipment, but Torres has assured me that it will all be dealt with in due time. There's no problem with any of my personnel except for the fact that a few were grumbling over the change in shifts, but I'm sure they'll get over it. Since there's not much else to do here, I was wondering if I could help the lieutenant with some of the repairs that still needed to be done?"
"It is acceptable with me. Lt. Torres, do you require any more help with the repairs?"
"Yeah, I could always use more help. If you want Coty, you can report to my office around 1600 hours and we'll see about placing you somewhere." Keller nodded his head in agreement as Seven continued on with the meeting.
"And I believe that brings us to you, Mr. Davis. You were not required to attend this meeting as you are not a senior staff member yet you requested to take part." The captain left it at that, allowing an intro for Davis into the conversation.
"Yes, well, I was wondering if I could join the senior staff. I may not be a diplomat but I do perform a vital function aboard Voyager just as Neelix had as cook and morale officer."
"Indeed." Seven smiled a knowing smile letting those around he know that she suspected as much. "So you now consider yourself as a morale officer instead of just a cook?"
"It's like you said, Captain, regardless if I want the job or not I still have the ability to affect the moods of the crew. Might as well make it official."
"Acceptable. Was there anything else you wished to contribute?"
"Yeah, I wanted to update the rest of you on our food supply and such. We may have enough stuffs to last us at least another month, but I would like to collect some of that vegetation in which Delaney was talking about earlier from that planet since we are going on shore leave there anyway. I also wanted to mention that I talked with the bioengineering staff about some possible improvement to the airponics bay. I think we could increase our harvest if we do convert it into a garden just like you said, Captain." Seven looked quite surprised about that last part especially since she didn't remember suggesting turning the bay into a real garden. While everyone else began to whisper about the table concerning this new development, Seven raised her hands to quiet everyone down just like she had seen Janeway do a hundred times over.
"Please continue, Lieutenant."
"Well, the bio team and I discussed harvesting real earth vegetables and tress from replicated seeds and they would be in charge of 'farming the lands'. I already have several volunteers who are willing to learn about their profession by actually experiencing it. The first problem we have is creating the grounds but with us possibly landing on this M-class planet, we could transport large amounts of soil into the bay and create harvesting lands. The second problem we would face would be trying to jump start an atmosphere in the bay. The bio-engineers are, as we speak, hard at work finding a solution to that problem. Once we create viable atmosphere, the natural environment will be able to sustain it without an help from us. I'm also in the process of hunting down another assistant chef. I already have two volunteers willing to learn the trade, so give me a few more days and I should have the mess-hall up and running again."
"Impressive." Was all the compliment Seven needed to give and that said a lot in and of itself. "Please keep me updated upon the possible creation of this garden. I expect a full report detailing exactly what you plan to do on my desk before you actually set out and do anything. Now Doctor, how are the patients?"
"I have released everyone from sickbay except for Ensign Frengle who is still recovering from severe burns to over 75% of his body and Lt. Vorik who I am helping to adjust to his lose of sight. Everyone else has been cleared for limited duty for the next week and may return to full duty thereafter barring no complications. I, too, have been searching for two medical assistants and believe I have found at least one who is willing to train under my tutelage. We'll begin studying once Voyager is under way again."
"Very good, Doctor. Is there anything else that needs to be added? Then I would like to ask of you all that what was stated in this room is to remain confidential. You will not speak to any other than who is in this room now about the matters which were just discussed, especially about the shore leave as I have not made my decision yet as to if we will receive shore leave on the planet. If that is all, you are all dismissed." Seven ended the meeting and the staff filed out of the room. She sat still in her chair thinking about the latest surprise to come her way. 'A garden. I do not like all of these surprises and being captain does seem to grant more than the normal amount of surprises. Perhaps Commander Kim was right to turn down the opportunity to become captain. I seem to be getting a headache, at least that is what I think it is.'
"Seven?" Lanna interrupted the captain's thoughts. "Have you had dinner yet?" The engineer wasn't too sure of what drove her to ask the question besides her growling stomach, but the small but bright smile Seven just gave her was the only answer she needed.
"No I have not had dinner yet."
"It's nice to see that at least Naomi is teaching you some of our improper and imprecise language skills. How about the two of you join me for dinner in the mess-hall? I mean if you don't have plans or if you think it would be okay..." The lieutenant trailed off as Seven interrupted.
"That would be acceptable Lt. Torres. Naomi and I will meet you there at 1900 hours."
"Great, and Seven, just call me B'Elanna. Captain Janeway did." Again there was that smile and Lanna felt herself giving a smile in return.
As she turned and left the room Seven thought out loud, "Perhaps all surprises are not bad, just some."
Part 7
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Although the messhall was still officially closed, there seemed to be a fairly decent amount of people there to eat their dinners. Until the kitchen actually opened up again in a few days, the crew were forced to use their rations and replicate their meals, but that didn't stop them from gathering together to eat. Seven had arrived in the messhall 14 minutes before the scheduled dinner. After the staff meeting earlier in the day, the captain had remained quite busy going over 'paper work' and had not managed a break until now. It was tedious work but even with the ability to let her mind wander while being able to complete a task, the ex-drone found herself bored out of her mind. She now had an even greater respect for her mentor and friend, Kathryn Janeway. 'How had she managed to remain sane while having to do 'paper work' for seven long years? Perhaps the time spent with Chakotay was more professional than personal then I had previously considered.' The captain pushed aside her wandering thoughts and scanned the room. Just as she had predicted, Lt. Torres had yet to arrive.
"Lt. Davis," Seven greeted when she had reached the kitchen counter. Davis along with the Bolian, Chell, were busy making quite a ruckus banging around pots and pans from behind the counter.
"Is there a problem, gentlemen?"A favorite saying Janeway used whenever she was curious about something but already had an idea as to what was going on.
"Uh, Captain.No, no problem.We were just reorganizing the kitchen a bit.Trying to straighten out the mess Neelix left.He may have known his way around his kitchen but he would have been the only one to know. Are you here for dinner?I could try and whip you up something?" Davis responded.
"Lieutenant, although it is a kind offer, unless you are prepared to make dinner for the entire crew compliment then I am forced to decline such an offer. I am here for dinner though and am just awaiting the arrival of my company."
"Yeah, that's right.Where is Naomi?I haven't seen her all day today. Usually she's out and about running errands around the ship to keep busy."
"Naomi went back to school today.At least for part of the day.As most of the repairs are near completion and normal routines begin to resurface, Ensign Morter felt it best if Naomi try to go to her classes for at least half of the day.As per the message I received earlier, Naomi stated that she had finished school early and completed her homework all before 1400 hours. She then requested to play on the holodeck with her friends Trevis and Flotter where she has been ever since. Being that she has not engaged in a Flotter program since her mother died, I allowed it but reminded her that she had a 'dinner date' tonight at 1900 hours."
It was more then Davis had asked for in regards to an answer, but he let it slide, realizing that for the Borg to babble on like that something must be concerning her."I'm sure Naomi enjoyed her time with the Flotter program and it's a good sign that she's ready to play again and try and be happy."
"Indeed?I find that because I am unfamiliar with emotions, more specifically, grieving, that I do not know what is a 'good sign' or not when it comes to Naomi's emotional well being."
"Well, from what I heard, Sam Wildman was the one who introduced Naomi to Flotter and if she was ready to visit with him today, a program that will remind Naomi a great deal of her mother, then I'd say that she is definitely dealing with her grief the right way.It's really nothing to worry about, Captain.Naomi is a strong girl and she'll get passed this, of course with a little help from an aunt who happens to be an ex-drone."Mitchel smiled as the said person's eyes widened slightly.
"An aunt?Indeed."Seven smiled at that thought.She liked considering herself apart of Naomi's family.But she couldn't see herself as a mother figure or as an older sister figure.Now as for aunt, that was a description the blonde could connect with."And you are certainly proving yourself as a morale officer."
"Hey, I gotta practice my moraling skills on someone."
"Moraling?"
"Yes, moraling.If I'm going to be morale officer then I'm going to make up my own words to go along with it."Davis crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look indignant.
"Indeed.Keep me informed."Seven walked away leaving Davis bowled over with laughter while Chell looked on surprised by the whole encounter.
"Hey, how come you're so comfortable around the captain now?I mean with her being considered so unapproachable and well.... frightening, and that was before she became captain how do you manage to be so congenial around her?"Chell asked once Davis recovered enough to breath again.
"She's really not that bad once you get to know her.She is, after all, human just like the rest of us," Davis answered as best he could not really understanding his new found friendship with the ex-Borg himself.
As soon as Seven had stepped away from the counter, Naomi came bouncing into the room.It was the happiest the blonde had seen the little Katarian in days.
"Naomi Wildman.I assume your trip to the holodeck was a pleasant one?" the captain asked as she lead the girl over to a table near the full length windows.
"Yeah, it was great, Seven!At first I was kinda of sad to go see Trevis and Flotter cause they made me miss mommy, but then we started talking and it felt good to be with them again.I did so miss Flotter.I told them about mommy's death... and well, they were sad too, but then they told me funny stories of when mom was little and she used to play with them.I promised to go see them again tomorrow if that's okay with you?"
"As long as you go to school and complete your assigned homework, then yes, you may go to the holodeck tomorrow.But I do need to talk to you about a suggestion that Lt. Torres brought to my attention, so I expect that you will not spend too much time with Trevis and Flotter."
"Sure Seven."
"Hey, did I hear my name being said?"Lanna asked as she came upon the two sitting at the table.
"Lieut... B'Elanna."The ex-drone managed to correct her greeting just in time.Old habits were hard to break or so it seemed.
"Lt. Torres, will you be joining us for dinner?" Naomi asked with a smile as she noticed the half-Klingon taking a seat.She really did like the engineer because of all the cool stuff she would teach her about Voyager's engines.
"Yep, if fact, I was the one who invited the both of you to dinner and I'm glad you two could come. Harry may be a funny guy but you can only have but so many dinners with him."Lanna smiled down Naomi.Even though she had never really spent much time with her, B'Elanna liked the small child sitting next to her.She was extremely smart for her age and tended to be a good kid."So, Naomi, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing much better, Lieutenant.Thanks for asking."And with that response came an accompanying smile to prove her point.
"Please, I just got Seven to call me B'Elanna so why don't you?"
"Okay."
"So, what are we having for dinner tonight?" Lanna asked of the other two.
"I was thinking maybe a hamburger with some french fries and pickles and a cup of soda.Oh, make that orange soda."Naomi's mouth nearly watered from just thinking about having her own little barbecue.
"I do not believe I have ever had a 'hamburger' or 'french fries' before, but I do remember Mr. Neelix cooking such named foods for a dinner he called a 'barbeque'.Perhaps I will try the same but in a smaller portion."Seven looked over at Naomi who was sitting off to left a little and across the table from her.The little girl nodded her head and smiled in approval over the drone's choice of food.
B'Elanna who had yet to order stopped the captain as she was about to get up."No you sit and I'll go get the food.After all, I did invite you to dinner not the other way around.I'll be back in a minute."The engineer left and, within a few minutes, brought back the promised food along with a hot dog and onion rings for herself.She also had two glasses of water replicated knowing that Seven's stomach was still pretty sensitive to most foods and drinks, soda being one of them. They sat and ate all sharing fries and rings from one another's plates, talking and laughing, and enjoying the time spent with one another.But alas, the time had come to say good night.As the three parted ways heading for their own quarters on deck three, they each had a similar feeling when reflecting back on the evening; a sense of family.