By Coral
Disclaimer: Paramount blah blah blah... all the characters belong to Paramount.
This story is a sequel to Talent Night Finale
It was everything Voyager's first wedding should have been - wonderful decorations, lots of food, music, a familylike feel... even Naomi had been allowed to attend. Even so, my heart was heavy as I said, "Ensign Thomas Eugene Paris, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, with the power vested in me by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Applause and cheers went up from the gathered crowd. That was the first couple joined. How many more would I have to perform before we reached Earth?
"And now," Neelix announced grandly, "I'd like to invite you all to the reception. I've made a variety of interesting dishes..." General chatter recommenced, and people began to walk towards the food table.
"That went well," Chakotay commented, coming up to me.
"Very well," I sighed. "Has Neelix got the rice and confetti ready?"
"He has," Chakotay reported. "And B'Elanna and Tom don't know a thing about it."
"Good job. How's Neelix's food?"
"I haven't had the opportunity to sample it yet. Care to risk our lives together?" I smiled, and he took my hand and we walked over towards the tables.
"Poor Neelix," I said, "He must be so fed up with all the insults regarding his food."
"As long as it keeps morale up, I don't think he cares."
I stopped short in front of the tables and lowered my voice. "He thinks it keeps morale up? Where did he get that idea from?"
"Uh, Paris mentioned that having something to make fun of, even if it doesn't deserve it, helps humans keep their spirits up. He was explaining gallows humour to him for over an hour."
"So now Neelix thinks that his food is the last thing between us and despair?"
Chakotay changed the subject. "What would you like to try first?"
"Whatever. I'm sure it's all... edible."
Chakotay went off to find plates and Seven approached me.
"Captain?"
"Seven, is something wrong?" I asked.
"I fail to understand the reason for covering two people in bits of paper and rice."
"It was originally supposed to grant the couple fertility..." I explained lamely.
"What if a guest did not wish that?" Seven asked.
"It's only a custom, Seven," I smiled. "Just... enjoy yourself."
"I find the custom meaningless. Nevertheless, I will comply with it."
Seven walked away, nearly bumping into Neelix as he came up to see me. "Ah, Captain, I see you're not eating anything yet," Neelix observed. "Do you want me to get you something?"
"That's all right, Neelix, Commander Chakotay is dealing with it."
"Did I hear my name?" Chakotay asked as he returned, bearing two plates laden with food.
"Nothing important. Neelix was just concerned that I wasn't eating anything," I smiled. "I told him that you were taking care of it."
"Of course," Chakotay grinned, handing me a plate. "What kind of First Officer would I be if I let my captain starve?"
"An ambitious one?" I joked.
"I suggest we find somewhere to sit," Chakotay suggested, searching for a table. This place is nearly full already. Paris and B'Elanna are leaving in a few minutes. Paris mentioned something about slipping out unnoticed, so I assigned Harry to watch them."
"We couldn't let all that replicated confetti and rice go to waste now, could we?" I said seriously, taking a bite of whatever it was on my plate. It was edible, at least. "Seven wanted to know why people throw rice at weddings."
"She'll want to know why B'Elanna throws the bouquet soon."
"I think I'll have to refer her to the computer for that one. It would seem that Human wedding information isn't considered important among the Borg."
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention," Harry's voice rang out, bringing the room to silence almost immediately. "The bride and groom are about to depart for their holodeck honeymoon... I'm sure B'Elanna would like to throw the bouquet now. Just don't knock anybody out, okay?"
Everyone laughed as they gathered around the couple. Idly, I wondered who would get the bouquet. I wouldn't put it past B'Elanna to throw it at Seven on purpose.
My thoughts were interrupted by something hitting my shoulder. Instinctively, I reached up, only to feel flowers, leaves...
Great.
Cheers broke out as Chakotay whispered in my ear, "Congratulations, Kathryn."
On my other side, Seven asked, "What is the significance of this ritual, Captain?"
I laughed as Chakotay handed me a pile of rice, and I pitched it over B'Elanna.
END