Yes, it's the happy story that I promised! It's a sequel to the episode
"Waking Moments". I loved that episode, didn't you? :-) JoAnna, you will
be very happy, no one dies! Before I give too much away, just read it!
Who Needs Sleep?
By: Amy MichelleDisclaimer: You know the drill. Paramount owns the characters, the ship,
the episodes. However, I own the story! (Take that Paramount!)Dedication: To Lauren for encouraging me to write this. You’re the best,
cuz!
And, to my sweetie, Adam. :-) Because he always tells me what he and his
friends talk about when I’m not there. (Sports! BORING!)
Also to all those Parisites who were screaming for some happy fan fic, here
ya go!Notes: This story picks up where ‘Waking Moments’ ended. That is, with
the guys (Neelix, Chakotay, Tom, Harry, and Tuvok) chatting in the Mess
Hall. I wonder, what would they talk about? (Heck, I’ve always wondered
what guys talk about when us gals aren’t around!) So, here’s my version of
what happened! :-)*****************************
Lids down, I count sheep
I count heart beats
The only thing that counts is that I won't sleep
I countdown, I look around
Who needs sleep?
Well, you're never gonna get it
Who needs sleep?-Barenaked Ladies, ‘Who Needs Sleep?’
*****************************Commander Chakotay tossed and turned in his bed. He’d never had this much
trouble sleeping. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he wouldn’t be able
to wake up once he had fallen asleep. The aliens had been in his mind, in
his dreams. He didn’t like feeling violated like that. He sighed.‘No use in just lying here,’ Chakotay thought as he threw back the covers
and rolled out of bed. He considered changing back into his uniform, but
decided against it. If anyone was awake at this hour, they could see him
in his pajamas.Chakotay made his was to the mess hall. It was quiet and dark, not the
typical mess hall that he was used to.“Computer, lights on,” Chakotay ordered as he walked further into the room.
He walked over to the counter and examined a blow of fruit that was
sitting there.Suddenly, Neelix popped up from behind the counter. Both men jumped,
startled to see the other.“Sorry, Commander,” Neelix apologized. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You’re not starting breakfast this early, are you?” Chakotay asked the
Talaxian as he picked up a piece of fruit from the bowl.“Just rearranging the supply cabinets,” Neelix said. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Neither could I,” Chakotay admitted as he began peeling the fruit.
“How about a nice, soothing cup of tea?” the cook offered.
“Sounds good,” Chakotay smiled and made his way over to a table.
Neelix busied himself in the kitchen. “I know it sounds silly,” He called
from behind the counter, “but everytime I’m about to doze off, I’m afraid I
won’t be able to wake up.”The mess hall doors hissed open. Tom and Harry strolled in, both sweating
and obviously out of breath.“You, too?” Chakotay asked.
“We just finished a little late night hoverball on the holodeck,” Tom
explained as he took the seat next to Chakotay.“Three games in a row,” Harry added, pulling a chair from another table
over for himself. “We were hoping it would wear us out.”“You know,” Neelix said joining the other three at the table, “I could
learn to enjoy these late night get together.”Tom laughed. “Speak for yourself,” He said to Neelix. “I would kill for a
good night’s sleep.”The mess hall doors hissed open once more. Tuvok walked in, yawning.
“Neelix, I think it’s time for breakfast, “ Chakotay joked.
“Sure thing, Commander,” Neelix said and jumped up and headed for the
kitchen.“Come join us, Tuvok, “ Tom waved the Vulcan over.
Tuvok walked over to the group and sat down.
“How does scrambled eggs sound?” Neelix asked as he peeked out of the
kitchen.“Sounds great, Neelix,” Harry called back. The other men nodded in
agreement.“Coming right up!” Neelix announced cheerfully and retreated back into the
kitchen.“So, Tuvok,” Tom started. “I didn’t know that Vulcans were scared of
sleeping.”“I am incapable of being scared,” Tuvok reminded him. “However, I am
finding it...difficult to fall asleep tonight. I have experienced some
unsettling dreams in the past few nights.”“What exactly did you dream about?” Tom asked.
The Vulcan said nothing.
Neelix ventured out of the kitchen carrying five plates of scrambled eggs
on a tray and a pot of coffee. He handed a plate and a cup to each man and
then took one for himself. He pulled up a chair and joined the conversation.“Yeah, what did you dream about, Mr. Vulcan?” Neelix inquired.
Tuvok still did not answer.
“I’ll tell if you tell,” Tom added.
“Me, too, “ Chakotay agreed.
“I’m in!” Neelix exclaimed.
“Harry?” Tom asked his friend.
Harry shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of the others. “Uh...I don’t
know,” He stammered. “It wasn’t really that interesting. You probably
wouldn’t want to...”“Sure we want to know, Harry,” Tom interrupted. “Hey, I’ll go first.”
Tom sipped his coffee before continuing.
“I was in a shuttle,” He began. “I was experiencing some difficulties and
I needed an emergency beam-out, but I had lost communications with Voyager.
The shuttle was just about to explode and, I saw the alien and I woke up.”“Talk about nerve-wrecking,” Harry said.
“Yep,” Tom said. “Every pilot’s worst nightmare.”
“And,” Chakotay added, “you lost *another* shuttle!”
Harry laughed. “You do have a habit of that, Tom.”
“Hey!” Tom said almost choking on his eggs. “I haven’t lost near as many
as Chakotay over there has.”“I’m allowed to,” Chakotay grinned. “I *am* the first officer.”
Everyone laughed, save Tuvok.
“Okay, you’re next, Mr. First Officer,” Tom said, placing emphasis on the
title. “What did you dream about?”“I was hunting deer in the corridors with my father,” Chakotay said. “I
always hated hunting, too. I refused to do it most of the time. We
cornered the deer, and then my father turned into that alien.”“That’s...uh, very...interesting,” Neelix offered.
“In my dream,” Neelix continued. “I was boiled alive in my own pot of
leola root stew! Though, I might add that it was perfectly seasoned.”Harry made a disgusted face. It was bad enough eating that stuff. He
couldn’t imagine being immersed in it.“Now, that’s a nightmare!” Tom added finishing the last of his scrambled
eggs.Chakotay nodded in agreement.
“So, Harry, are you going to tell?” Tom asked.
Harry sighed. Maybe Seven was right. Perhaps resistance *is* futile.
“OK,” Harry gave in. “It was about a girl, that’s all I’ll say.”
Tom gave an exasperated look. “That’s it?” He asked. “Come on, don’t we
at least get a name?”Harry crossed his arms defiantly across his chest and shook his head. He
wasn’t giving in.“What were you and this mystery girl doing, Harry?” Chakotay asked.
Harry felt himself turn a crimson color.
Tom patted Harry on the back. “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell,” He
said. “Besides, B’Elanna already told me.”“B’Elanna...she...she,” Harry stammered turning even redder than he
already was.“She told me,” Tom finished for the ensign.
“Wha...how much did she tell you exactly?” Harry asked.
Tom flashed his cocky grin. “I’ll tell you what, you tell me about your
dream, and I’ll tell you if that’s what B’Elanna told me.”“What a minute!” Harry said. “I didn’t tell her anything!”
Now, he was red, but not because of the dream, but because of falling for
one of Tom’s pranks.“You can’t blame a guy for trying,” Tom smiled.
“Enough picking on poor Harry,” Chakotay intervened. “I want to know
about Tuvok’s dream.”Tuvok raised his eyebrows at his companions. “I believe that I will return
to my quarters,” He said showing no emotion. With that, he got up and
left the mess hall.“What a party-pooper,” Tom said, referring to the security chief.
“So, Harry,” Chakotay began.
“Uh...” Harry said, thinking fast for an excuse. “I’m...due on the bridge
in a few hours, I should get some sleep.” He stood and began to walk
towards the door. “It’s been fun guys,” Harry smiled and waved.“It was Seven,” Tom said after Harry had left the room.
“What?” Chakotay asked.
“The girl in his dreams,” Tom reminded the first officer. “It had to be
Seven.”“What makes you so sure?” Neelix jumped into the conversation.
“Oh, come on,” Tom said. “You’ve seen the way he looks at her.”
“I personally think it was Susan Nicoletti,” Chakotay offered his guess.
Neelix and Tom both shook their heads simultaneously.
“No,” Neelix said. “I don’t think it was Sue. I haven’t seen the two of
them have coffee together here in months. He’s over her.”“Well, as long as it wasn’t B’Elanna,” Tom said and leaned back in his chair.
Tom noticed that Chakotay was giving him an odd look. “What?” He asked.
“You had better be good to her, Paris,” Chakotay said, his tone of voice
serious.“Yes sir,” Tom said and gave a mock salute.
Chakotay yawned. “I think I can sleep now,” He said. “Good night.” He
stood and left the mess hall.Tom was still wide awake. “I wish I could sleep,” Tom said, mostly to
himself.“I’m sure the Doctor could give you something for that,” Neelix offered.
“Or, you could always help me rearrange the supply cabinets.”“Why not,” Tom smiled. “I don’t have anything else to do.”
The two stood and wandered into the kitchen.
*****************************
Tom’s head had just hit the pillow when he heard his door chime.
“Yeah, I’m coming,” He called. He tossed back the covers and swung his
legs over the edge of the bed. He grabbed his bathrobe and threw it on.Wandering over to the door, he opened it to see B’Elanna. She had
obviously just gotten off the night shift again.“Good morning,” She smiled.
“If you say so,” Tom said. “I haven’t even been to sleep yet.”
Tom pulled B’Elanna close and hugged her. “Wait a minute,” He said. “Did
I forget another breakfast date?”“No,” B’Elanna smiled. “We didn’t have any plans for this morning.
Tom breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then, what are you doing here?” He asked.
“Can’t I just come by and visit?” She asked.
“Of course you can,” Tom smiled. “Anytime you want.”
“So,” B’Elanna said. “You haven’t slept yet? Then, what did you do all
night?”Tom sat down on the couch and motioned for B’Elanna to sit next to him.
“I played three games of hover ball on the holodeck with Harry,” Tom began.
“Who won?” B’Elanna interrupted.
“That’s beside the point,” Tom said.
“He did, huh?”
“Yeah,” Tom admitted. “He kicked my butt in all three games.”
B’Elanna laughed.
“Oh, thanks, B’Elanna!” Tom pretending to be hurt which just made B’Elanna
laugh harder.“As I was saying,” Tom said trying to change the subject. “Then, we went
to the mess hall. Chakotay, Neelix, and Tuvok also had a case of insomnia.”“What did you boys talk about?” She inquired.
“Sorry, Lieutenant, that’s classified,” Tom told her.
“Hmph!” B’Elanna pouted. “I always did wonder what guys talked about when
no girls were around.”“I guess you’ll just have to keep on wondering,” Tom smiled. “Because,
you see, if I told you, I’d have to kill you.”“You’re incorrigible!” B’Elanna laughed.
“Then, I helped Neelix rearrange the supply cabinets,” Tom continued.
“Oh, that sounds like fun,” B’Elanna said sarcastically.
“And, I had just gotten to bed when you showed up.”
“Sorry,” B’Elanna said.
“It’s OK,” He said. “I don’t have to be on duty for....Computer, time?”
“The time is 0745,” The computers feminine voice replied.
“Fifteen more minutes!” Tom shouted as he stood up. “Uh, B’Elanna..”
“I know,” She said. “Go get dressed. I’ll see you later, Helm Boy.”
“Thanks,” He smiled and turned to go to the other room.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” She asked causing him to turn around.
Tom stared at her intently. “No, I don’t think so,” Tom said. She placed
her hands on her hips.“Just kidding!” He said and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her
softly on the lips.“Now, you can go get dressed,” B’Elanna said. “And, no more staying up
late with the boys,” She shouted over her shoulder as she left his quarters.The End!
Yes, it was kind of a piece of fluff. But, I think we needed that with all
the sad fan fic that’s been sent out lately.
Send me comments! <borgqueena@yahoo.com>