While the Captain was arguing with seemingly everyone, Tom ducked upstairs to use the Stephens' ancient refresher. When he was done, Belanna was waiting for him. She looked almost shy.
 
"Hi, Tom."
 
"Er, Hi, Yourself."
 
Her hands were behind her back, and she seemed to be almost giggling.

"So, you gonna kiss me or what?"

"Here? Belanna, this is literally neither time nor the place."

She became upset at that, perhaps even pouty.

"If You Don't Kiss Me, Then We're Broken  Up!"

Paris shook his head.

"I only kiss the real Belanna."

A throat cleared behind them.

"You've got that right."

The Belanna in the middle sighed, and quickly resumed the form of Tabitha Stephens.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted Tom to kiss me."

Belanna walked over and picked her up.

"Kiddo, I admire your taste. But I called dibs quite some time back, Ok?"

Tabitha smiled.

"Ok."

Belanna winced from the loudness of the arguments downstairs.

"Well, the Captain's in rare form."

"That's not so loud, Belanna. Sometimes, when one of Mommy's family does something to Daddy or comes up with these weird rit-ua-ls, then the grownups really get loud!"

Belanna put Tabitha down.

"You wanna try and trick Tom again? I'll show you how to act, so's you can get that kiss---a short one, I mean."

"Sure! But I thought you called dibs."

"Lets just say, that when it comes to Mommy's family being weird--that you and I have a lot in common."

"Kay. Belanna?"

"Yes, Tabitha?"

"Can the kiss be a long short one?"

Torres chuckled.

"Only if you defeat me on the Field Of Honor."

"Okay!"

As Tabitha began to gesture, Torres stopped her.

"Don't even THINK about it."