DISCOMFORT

Tom Paris had only been at the conn for about half an hour
 when he began to look decidedly uncomfortable. This sort 
of thing wasn't supposed to happen to a Starfleet officer; 
but the physical urgency of his predicament rapidly reached 
a point where no alternatives were available.

"Permission to leave the bridge, Captain."

Janeway raised an eyebrow. "What for, Mr. Paris?"

Tom looked round, cringing slightly. "To visit the heads, 
Captain." And saw Chakotay's look of concern quickly change 
to a malicious grin.

"Go ahead, Mr. Paris. Commander, you have the conn."

A few minutes later he was back. Harry Kim shot him a quick 
look from Ops, and Tom nodded, almost imperceptibly, in reply.

"Permission to leave the bridge, Captain."

"Mr. Kim?" Janeway looked round at the young ensign's silent 
embarrassment, stifled a chuckle, and assented.

He was barely back when Tuvok spoke.

"Permission to leave the bridge, Captain."

Janeway looked over the other shoulder. Tuvok's emotional 
control was intact, but his physical discomfort was almost 
tangible.

"Permission granted, Mr. Tuvok."

As the turbolift door closed behind him, Janeway spoke 
again.

"Mr. Paris, I understand Neelix was serving Rodeo Red's 
Red-Hot, Rootin'-Tootin' Chilli again today. Did you, by 
any chance, try some?"

Tom nodded, distinctly flushed. "Yes, Captain. It actually 
tasted pretty good, too."

"Did anyone else try it?"

Seven of Nine stepped forward. She'd had enough opportunities 
to study the correct form. "Permission to leave the bridge, 
Captain."

Janeway buried her head in her hands. "Permission gran... 
Seven, your shift ends in an hour, doesn't it?"

"That is correct, Captain."

Janeway seemed to be having breathing difficulties. Eventually 
she said, "Not much point coming back, then."

"Thank you, Captain." Seven paused at the turbolift entrance. 
"I must discuss clothing design with the Doctor. His work is, 
in certain functions, most inefficient."



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