Anne's Rose Garden

Tom wiped down the bar one last time and hung up his towel. "It's all yours, Umali."

The bar's owner smiled and waved as he picked up his dinner and walked over to his friends' table.

B'Elanna moved her bag off his seat and smiled at him. "I thought she was going to keep you working all night."

Tom leaned over and kissed her cheek before sitting. "The bar has been busier than usual. And I want to stay in her good graces so she'll give me time off for our honeymoon."

B'Elanna took his face in her hands and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. Their friend rolled her eyes, but it was the man that spoke.

"Always working the angles. I'm surprised you don't own this place yet." Amal winked at Tom.

The woman cleared her throat and gestured at the game board. "It's still your turn."

Amal studied the board for a moment and then moved a piece. He sat back and a slow grin spread across his face. He tried to cover it by taking a sip from his drink.

"It's easy. I pick the glass up, open my mouth..." He stopped as she raised an eyebrow.

"In the three months I've been watching you play, you haven't won yet." She winked at Katie.

Amal changed the subject as he helped Katie put the last of the game pieces into their box. "Now that you've finally joined us, Tom, what shall we do until curfew?"

"He said, we're going home so I can get some rest. Didn't you, Tom?" B'Elanna patted him on the shoulder, forcefully.

Tom swallowed the bite he'd been chewing. "You heard her. We've got a big day tomorrow."

"No last night of freedom?" Katie asked. "No wild, reckless behavior you can regret in your old age, or tomorrow, whichever come first?"

B'Elanna patted her belly. "Nope. I feel like an old married woman already. Tomorrow I'll be one." She marked her page in her book and put down on the table.

Amal chuckled. At the look that passed between Katie and B'Elanna, he coughed and looked at Tom's plate instead. "As soon as Tom finishes inhaling his dinner, we can all go home." He looked over at Katie, took her hand, and squeezed it. "It wouldn't hurt us to get a good night's sleep either."

Katie was looking into his eyes as he spoke. She was mesmerized by him and thought she would never get tired of looking at him. He squeezed her hand again, bringing her back to reality. "Sleep. Right. Sounds good."

Tom snickered and leaned toward B'Elanna. "Honey, I think nobody's going to be able to tell who the newlyweds are. We'll have to wear signs."

Katie chuckled back and looked at the other couple. They just grinned, and as if to prove the point, she reached out and pulled Amal's head down into a steamy kiss.

B'Elanna and Tom watched them with amusement. "I think we're going to have to throw cold water on them... again," he said to his fiancé.

Amal's reply was garbled since his lips were still attached to Katie. "There will be no cold water, for any reason."

After a minute, they finally separated. Katie took a deep breath. "I think we should be considerate of B'Elanna and the baby and not keep her up too late."

Amal nodded slowly, it was as if a light bulb went on above his head. He gave Katie a conspiratorial smile. "And we'd better walk with you to make sure you get home safe and sound."

B'Elanna rolled her eyes. The city had a huge security force and it was perfectly safe to walk around before curfew. "Come on Tom, we'd better get *them* home before they get us tossed out."

Tom helped B'Elanna up, and then the four of them left the restaurant and walked through the nearly deserted streets back to the residential area. Their building was not far, and soon they were standing in the hall outside their apartments.

Tom looked at Amal and Katie. "We can count on you to be there, right? You're our best friends, the closest thing we have to family, and we need witnesses. I don't want it to be some strangers."

Katie put her hand on Tom's. "We said we'd be there. We'll be there. In fact, let's all have breakfast together and then we can walk over." She looked at Amal. "9 am for breakfast?"

"Thanks," Tom said as they separated and each couple went into their own apartment.

Amal closed the door behind them just as Katie turned and laughed, hugging him. "I've never seen him so nervous. You may have to carry him to the ceremony. It's almost like that time when he..." she trailed off, uncertain. "That was odd. I could almost see Tom as a child." She shook her head.

"I know. I sometimes think Tom and B'Elanna remind me of people I worked with at my last job. But that's impossible." He kissed her on the nose, and they walked into their bedroom together.

The next morning, Katie had to go fetch Tom and B'Elanna for breakfast. Tom was fussing with everything and not making much progress getting out of the apartment.

After a leisurely breakfast, the two couples made their way to the Hall of Records at the local judiciary building. The tall building with its hard, imposing façade contrasted with the warmer, more inviting marriage bureau.

Once they passed through the outer doors, the gray stone halls gave way to softer colors with wood accents in deep tones. A clerk greeted them with a smile and clasped B'Elanna's hands. "Congratulations on your upcoming birth," the woman beamed. She tucked B'Elanna's arm under hers and lead them away. "Just follow me; we have everything ready for you.

The woman guided them down the hall and into the third room on the right. "There are a few papers for you to sign and then we'll get you joined and off on your honeymoon." She pulled out a chair for B'Elanna in front of a table. Once she had Tom and B'Elanna seated and working on their forms she turned to Amal and Katie.

"It's so nice of you to share this day with them. We don't often get double weddings." She smiled broadly and took Katie's arm. "Right this way," she took her to the second table. "Will you be going to the same location for your honeymoon?"

Katie looked at Amal. They exchanged a nervous look. "Uh. Actually, we were just here to support Tom and B'Elanna."

"Yes, we're together." Amal moved next to Katie and put an arm around her waist. "We live next door to them actually."

The clerk brightened. "If you're already a happy couple, then why not make it official?" She leaned forward. "You do know there's a housing supplement paid to all married couples, and more with the birth of each child? Not to mention, the honeymoon trip is paid for." She paused a moment. "Of course, there is a prorated repayment schedule should you dissolve the union within five years or fail to produce offspring. But let's not dwell on those unpleasant possibilities. Here, have a seat." She pulled out the chair again for Katie.

Katie sat. She looked up at Amal for help, but he looked intrigued, as if he were mulling over the idea. "You can't be serious," she said.

Tom suddenly took an interest in their conversation. "You two are great together. And I know you're almost as much in love as B'Elanna and me. Do it! It would be great to have you come with us."

B'Elanna turned in her chair and gave him a stern look, "Yes, it would be lovely to see you *at dinner* on our honeymoon. We wouldn't want to disturb you the rest of the time."

Katie chuckled as Tom looked embarrassed by B'Elanna's scolding. "What do you think?" she asked Amal.

The clerk pulled out a chair for him and thrust pens into each of their hands. "Please read it over carefully, and check the box if you want to be moved to the prioritized list for the housing lottery. I'm sure you'll want a larger place to have room for lots of children."

She darted out of the room and returned a few minutes later. She handed each couple a packet. "There you are. You'll find copies of the record of your marriage in there along with your itinerary and travel vouchers. Food and other details are handled at your destination - and there are pamphlets on the benefits to married couples and parents." She stepped forward suddenly and pulled Katie and then B'Elanna into an exuberant hug. "Congratulations!"

The next week was a blur. The four of them traveled to a remote island where they luxuriated in the peaceful and unhurried environment.

The four were lying on the beach when suddenly, they were accosted by men in strange gold and black uniforms. After a strange, sickening sensation, they found themselves in a medical lab.

"Relax, Captain, we'll have you back to normal in no time," the Doctor said as he injected her with something.

The Doctor caught her and prevented her from leaving sickbay. "Captain, you'll start remembering who you are when you wake up. I included a sedative with your treatment. Now, try to rest."

"Where's my husband? What have you done with him?" she asked, her voice already groggy.

"I'm sure he's fine. We'll get it figured out when you're more yourself." He helped her onto the biobed and she immediately fell asleep.

He was looking at information on a PADD. "All of the crew is accounted for. We do have other instances of crewmembers becoming attached to individuals on Quarra. The captain will need to make a decision about her husband just as the others will."

"A decision! How can you talk about their lives so cavalierly? It will be devastating, deciding whether or not to leave a spouse behind."

"Do you have a better solution, Doctor? I'm sure Captain Janeway will offer them the same options as she has on other occasions, to remain on Quarra, or to bring their spouse on board Voyager."

A figure moved toward the bed she was on. "The others have already been released, Captain. As soon as you feel up to it, I'll have someone walk you back to your quarters."

She sat up and looked at the man who was holding her prisoner. "My name is Katie." She rubbed her head. "Where am I, and where is my husband? And our friends, Tom and B'Elanna?"

"Tom and B'Elanna are already in their quarters. And..." he paused, uncertain how to break the rest of the news to her. "We only transported up Voyager crew. There was no one else with you."

"What? You can't do that. We just got married a few days ago!" She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.

"Captain. Captain! Calm down. Federation law is very specific about respecting local laws. If you are married, we'll find your husband and then you can decide what you want to do. You weren't exactly in your right mind at the time."

"Wait just a minute. I'll get a crewman to show you the way." The Doctor walked away and returned in a minute with a woman dressed in black and yellow.

"Captain, if you'll come with me, I'll show you to your quarters," the strange woman said.

When the doors closed, the Doctor looked over at Tuvok. "Our commanding officers both got married during their stay on Quarra. This should be a happy occasion. Why do I think it won't be?"

"Because logically, two humans in love should be married to each other," Tuvok answered, surprising the Doctor.

Katie and her escort were approaching her cabin when the door of the next cabin opened and a man stepped out. "Amal!" Katie cried as she flung herself into his arms and kissed him. He looked shocked at first but then wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.

Amal waved to the crewman, dismissing her, and backed the two of them into his quarters. Once inside, he maneuvered them to his couch. He stroked her head gently and closed his eyes, relieved to have found her again.

After a minute, Katie looked up at him. "I don't know who these people are, but they claim to know me. Supposedly I'm the captain of this ship." She laughed then she looked at his clothes for the first time. "Why are you wearing a uniform like theirs?"

Amal looked surprised for a moment and then smiled. "Apparently I'm your first officer." They laughed together for a moment. "I was just going to get something to eat and look around, but now I think I'd like to eat in. They have these great food dispensers. We can get anything we like." He rose and walked across the room. "What would you like?"

She told him and he carried their dinners over to the table. They sat together, ate, and discussed their strange situation. After dinner, Amal found a box and brought it to the table. He opened it and took out a set of game pieces.

"I know, but the pieces seem to fit a little better. See, they're different figures. I think they must be hand carved." He arranged the chessboard and they played their regular game. Maintaining a little of their former life seemed to calm them both.

Katie sighed as she lost again. "I'm blaming this one on being so tired." She yawned.

The alarm sounded the next morning and Kathryn and Chakotay told it to reset in unison.

Kathryn sat bolt upright in bed, yanking the sheet up to cover herself as an afterthought. She put her hand to her face, covering her eyes. Meanwhile, Chakotay pulled the arm back that had been around her and stared with his mouth open. He waited for Kathryn to say something.

Chakotay sighed and rolled onto his back. "We fell in love and got married. It's what people do, Katie." He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the look of horror on her face.

When she didn't move or say anything, he tentatively opened her eyes. She was looking at him curiously. He rolled up onto his side and propped his head up on his hand.

He nodded. "The question now is; what do you want to do about it?" He tensed in anticipation of her answer.

He reached over with his free hand and caressed her face. "I'm not asking about options. I want to stay married. What do you want?"

She smiled gently, reached over to the side table and tapped her combadge. "Janeway to Tuvok. I need some information."

"Captain, may I assume that you and Commander Chakotay have discovered the identity of your respective spouses from Quarra?"

"I see." He paused. "Federation law is quite specific in this regard. Starfleet personnel are required to adhere to all local laws while in that jurisdiction and events such as marriage are binding. However, since your minds were affected by the Quarran--"

She cut him off. "Thank you, Tuvok. Have all the other spouses been located and has our crew made their decisions?"

Kathryn smiled. "In that case, if there is nothing keeping us here, please set a course for home. I'll let you know when Commander Chakotay and I feel up to returning to duty. Janeway out."

Chakotay stared at her, unable to believe what he heard. "Kathryn, does that mean what I think it means?"

She reached over and started to outline his tattoo with her index finger. "You know how devoted I am to protocol."

"And you heard Tuvok. The Federation is quite clear about local laws." She finished tracing the tattoo and her finger drifted down his cheek and along his jaw line.

He caught her finger as it reached his lips and sucked it into his mouth, nibbling on it as she continued.

"I wouldn't be setting a very good example if I set aside Federation law purely for my own benefit. What would the admiralty back home say?" She let Chakotay keep her right hand as her other hand picked up where it left off and began following the underside of his jaw, trailing down his neck. "It's looks like I'm checkmated again. No other alternatives."

"I never thought I'd say this, Kathryn, but I'm glad you're such a stickler for protocol." He pulled her slowly toward him.

"I think it's high time that worked in our favor." She leaned the rest of the way down and met his lips.

[ Home ] [ What's New? ] [ Links ] [ Guestbook ] [ Story Index ]
[ Top ] [ Credits ] [ Contests ] [ Sandrine's ] [ Site Map ]
© 2002 Anne Rose

Please help me out - click to vote for my site!

Checkmate

by Anne Rose

	Now that you've read my story, please tell me what you think of it. Story Title: What's your name? What's your e-mail address? Feedback: