Rating: PG
"Tom, get us out of here!" Kathryn flung herself into one of the shuttle's seats.
Tom fired up the engines as Chakotay dove through the closing shuttle door. The remaining bits of his shirt fluttered to the deck as he strapped himself into a seat.
"Hang on," Tom bellowed as the shuttle leaped off the planet's surface.
The crew took a collective breath when the shuttle left the planet's atmosphere and was once again safe in space. Kathryn patted Tom on the shoulder. "You saved the day again, Mr. Paris. Glad I brought you with us."
"On this away mission or to the Delta Quadrant, Captain?" He winked at her.
"Both." She winked back and squeezed his shoulder. "And you." She turned to Chakotay. "What have you got to say for yourself?"
Chakotay put his hands up defensively. "I was just following your orders, Captain."
"Not the outfit." She paused and let her eyes wander over his naked chest. She smiled to herself, 'The day wasn't a total loss.' Collecting herself she ripped the ridiculous hat off his head. "Why didn't you head back to the shuttle with the others when I gave the order?"
Chakotay had followed her eyes as she ogled him. "It's a first officer's responsibility to protect his captain. You waited for them to get clear. I waited for you."
Kathryn threw her hands up in the air.
Tom smirked. "You're not going to win that one, Captain. He's got you by the regs."
Kathryn wheeled around to look at him but Tom had already ducked his head back down and was examining his navigation panel.
Kathryn stifled a chuckle. "I think I'll go check in on the part of my crew that does follow my orders." She tousled Chakotay's hair as she walked by. "And put a shirt on. I wouldn't want you to catch cold."
His eyes followed her as she walked to the back and through the door to the aft cabin.
Chakotay heard Tom chuckle as Kathryn disappeared and turned back toward him. "What's so funny, Tom?"
"You are." Tom shook his head and adjusted their course slightly. "You both are."
"Something you'd like to share with me?" Chakotay challenged.
"Nope. I just fly the ship."
Chakotay considered pursuing it further, but he and Kathryn had enough difficulty keeping their relationship on a professional footing without outside interference. Their carefully maintained house of cards relied on everyone involved, including themselves, pretending they were merely captain and first officer. So, Chakotay decided he didn't want to hear out loud what Tom meant. "I'll be in the back if you need me."
Tom grinned as Chakotay grabbed a new shirt and left.
Neelix was apologizing profusely to Kathryn when Chakotay walked into the aft compartment. "There was nothing in the Xrenshauw's cultural database they transmitted that indicated that sort of negative reaction on their part. I assure you, Captain, if I had the slightest idea I would have warned the Commander. I feel just awful about..."
Neelix stopped in mid-sentence when Chakotay walked into the room. "Commander, are you all right? I'd never forgive myself if you were injured. I was just telling the captain, there was nothing in their database, not the slightest hint that anything like this would happen."
"It's ok, Neelix." Chakotay tried to calm him. "It was just an unfortunate coincidence. I'm fine. We're all ok, and tomorrow we can contact them again and straighten this out. We need the supplies they offered. We'll just have to find something to satisfy their cultural exchange requirement that doesn't offend them."
"Good idea." Neelix turned to the captain. "I'll volunteer to do whatever it takes to resolve this, even if I have to go back down there myself."
Kathryn put up a hand to forestall any more offers. "I'm sure it won't come to that. But I'm glad to know I can count on you." She took his hand and squeezed it. "Now, I need to go check on the rest of the crew."
"Of course, Captain, of course." Neelix backed away slightly and then turned back to Chakotay.
Whatever he wanted to say was cut off by Chakotay. "I'd better go help the Captain. Will you see if anyone is hungry and make sure they get something to eat?"
Neelix nodded enthusiastically. "I'll get right on it Commander."
Chakotay smiled as Neelix darted off on his mission. Then he walked over to join Kathryn as she saw to her crew.
Kathryn sat in front of the vidscreen at her desk and tried again to make herself clear to the ambassador. "I understand completely, Ambassador, but are there any other such...," Kathryn paused, uncertain how to phrase her question without offending him. She looked past the vidscreen to Chakotay who was sitting across from her. He shrugged. There was nothing he could say, since officially he wasn't there.
"Captain, I can tell you that there are more, but to go into any detail would not be possible. You understand?"
"Yes, Ambassador, I understand your predicament. And I hope you understand ours. Since your culture forbids the mentioning of these things, much less their description, I don't know how we can avoid further incidents."
"It is a shame, Captain. These cultural exchanges are an integral part of trade with other species. Sharing something of yourselves is a necessary step to establish the relationship necessary to conduct business. You see, we view trade as not purely economic. It is the joining of two cultures, each entering into a mutually beneficial relationship. Naturally we wish to know more about potential partners." He shook his head. "You see my dilemma."
"Yes, of course, Ambassador." Kathryn didn't see his point at all, but Voyager needed the supplies. "What would you suggest?"
"Another visit from your crew is impossible at the moment and this medium is far too impersonal for us to make any real progress. I propose that we meet in person. I could transport up to your ship with a couple of my aides and we could hold our discussions there." He smiled enthusiastically.
Chakotay waved his hands at Kathryn, making a cutting gesture across his throat. She ignored his attempts to stop her.
"That is an excellent solution, Ambassador."
Chakotay silently rolled his eyes. She looked at him, and he shook his head vigorously - "no". He pulled on his hair and chin to pantomime Neelix.
She grinned in spite of herself. Catching herself, she said, "Mr. Neelix has been anxious for an opportunity to redeem himself after the incident on the planet. He is our ambassador and very knowledgeable about the cultures in this quadrant in addition to being an able negotiator."
"Excellent. I'm sure between us we can find a less... objectionable subject for our exchange."
'Objectionable didn't begin to cover it,' Chakotay thought as he remembered nearly being torn apart by the frightened mob.
They exchanged details for the visit and Kathryn ended the call with relief. She moved the display aside so she could more easily talk to Chakotay. "What's your opinion of that?"
"They seem sincere. We need the supplies they've offered, and in spite of the incident yesterday, they seem reasonable. They understand we didn't intend to offend them. I think we can work with them."
"I agree. But I find this secretiveness a bit unnerving. Why won't they just tell us what not to do?" Kathryn asked.
"It is a little extreme, but not that uncommon."
Kathryn raised an eyebrow.
"There are a number of cultures that have similar taboo subjects. Usually they revolve around the use of names. When I was a boy, my father took me to visit a tribe that believed you could harm a dead ancestor by speaking their name. So after death, a person was referred to only by their relationship; father, mother, wife, husband, aunt, and so on.
"In other tribes a child is given a true name that only their immediate family knows, and the rest of the tribe addresses them by a nickname. This culture simply applies the same idea to their demons or bogymen. To speak their name is to encourage them to appear. When they saw me dressed in a red suit with white fur, it's understandable that they panicked."
Kathryn sighed. "At least they seemed to like our uniforms. We'd better stick to those for the duration. And inform the crew that we need to take down any holiday decorations featuring Santa Claus or any of his helpers. I don't want the Ambassador or his aides to think we condone the eating of small children and household pets."
"Certainly not, what would Starfleet think?" He winked at her. "I'll see to it immediately."
"Yes, I think explaining to them that he only looks like their, whatever its name is, and assuring them he sneaks into people's houses once a year, for benign reasons, isn't the best way to go." She smirked back at him. "Who knew St. Nick could be so scary?"
Chakotay chuckled and headed out to the bridge to begin preparations. He also needed to send Neelix the good news that he would have a chance to redeem himself.
Once the ambassador arrived he went directly into meetings with Neelix. They discussed options and debated alternatives for hours. They ate lunch and dinner in the conference room and continued late into the night.
Tom joined them a few hours into the discussions. It seemed his expertise was required since he was more familiar with obscure earth customs.
At long last they arrived at a mutually acceptable solution. Neelix shook hands with the ambassador, Tom shook hands with him, and they called the captain to tell her the good news.
Neelix said good morning to them both and headed off to bed. Tom was exhausted too, but he'd agreed to escort the ambassador to see the captain. He needed to work out a few additional details regarding Chakotay's incident on the planet. Tom dropped him off at the captain's Ready Room and then staggered off to his quarters.
Kathryn and Chakotay stood as the ambassador entered. She walked around her desk and greeted him. They shook hands and she offered him a seat. "Would you care for something to drink before we get started?"
"Thank you. May I sample one of your favorite drinks?"
"Of course." Kathryn ordered two coffees and a tea. She also ordered cream and sugar in case the ambassador found black coffee too strong for his tastes. Chakotay helped her carry them back to the table.
Once they were settled, Kathryn began, "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. I understand you were working on a solution until just an hour ago."
"Yes, it took some time to understand each other well enough to devise a workable solution. But I think everyone will be pleased with the outcome." He took a tentative sip of his coffee, and made a face. "This is an interesting beverage, Captain. You enjoy it?"
"She can't live without it," Chakotay said.
Kathryn raised an eyebrow at him. "He's speaking metaphorically, Ambassador. My crew all knows I'm very fond of coffee." She pushed the cream and sugar toward him. "You may prefer it a bit sweeter and milder."
The ambassador studied the pitcher and sugar bowl for a minute and then added generous amounts of each. It was Kathryn's turn to wince as she watched him ruin a perfectly good cup of coffee.
After allowing him a moment to experiment with his coffee, Kathryn began the discussion. "Ambassador, I'm anxious to hear what you and my crew came up with."
"Ah, it was not easy. It seems most of your holidays revolve around or have as a central character a person or animal. This provides many opportunities for unfortunate coincidences and similarities... as we saw yesterday." The ambassador droned on, giving them almost a line-by-line recitation of the all night meeting.
Kathryn and Chakotay nodded occasionally and made appropriate acknowledging noises as he talked.
"In the early hours of the morning a solution occurred to us. It was so simple we don't know how we missed it before." He paused a moment for dramatic effect.
Kathryn and Chakotay leaned forward, hoping this was at last the point he had meandered toward for the last 45 minutes.
"We narrowed our search to holidays and customs that do not have such characters. Then it was merely and task of weeding out the less desirable customs and choosing from those that remained." He sat back with a satisfied smile.
They stared for a moment, and it looked as if the ambassador was going to start talking again. Kathryn jumped in, "What a brilliant solution! Chakotay, don't you think that was a brilliant solution?"
Chakotay glanced at her. "Yes, brilliant."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Inspired, in fact," he added.
The ambassador rubbed his hands together. "Yes, we were all quite proud of it."
"No doubt," Kathryn interrupted when he took a breath. "I won't trouble you for all the details now; I realize you must be exhausted. Neelix will give me a full report, and I have every confidence in him."
"Excellent, Captain."
Kathryn started to rise from her seat, but sat when the ambassador continued.
"There is one further matter that the three of us must resolve."
"Yes, Ambassador." Kathryn pasted a smile on her face, determined to get through this meeting without further alienating this man.
"It has to do with Commander Chakotay. I'm afraid many people have seen him dressed as... in that costume, and assume he is in league with... it," he trailed off. "Trade at this point could be seen as further complicity and those merchants would be tainted." He shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "I'm sure you can understand the social and economic impact this would have on them?"
'Now we finally get to the heart of it,' Kathryn thought. She nodded, rubbed her chin thoughtfully, and did her best to look concerned. "Ambassador, surely there is something we can do to remedy this situation."
He shook his head. "I fear it would be too much to ask of you."
Kathryn gritted her teeth as she felt herself being reeled in by a master negotiator. She smiled through the headache that was starting behind her eyes. "If we compensated these merchants for the additional economic hardship, would that ease their concern?" She wanted to cut to the chase, get done, and get away from this planet.
The ambassador put his hand on his chest dramatically. His eyes opened wide in alleged shock. "Captain, I think you underestimate the depth of our merchants' ethical convictions. The taint of association with... your first officer goes far beyond money."
Kathryn frowned and tried to look concerned instead of irritated. 'So, it was going to be the long form after all.' She repressed a sigh. Making placating gestures with her hands she continued, "Ambassador, I'm certain your merchants uphold the very highest standards of ethics. I was merely exploring options. I meant no offense."
She noticed a sparkle in the Ambassador's eyes. He had her over a barrel, and they both knew it.
"Of course not, Captain. I realize you are unfamiliar with the nuances of our culture." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps there is a way...." He sat up abruptly and waved his hand. "But no, you would never agree to it. It is too much to ask."
Kathryn took a deep breath to check the groan that was threatening to escape. She gave the Ambassador a forced smile. "I assure you Ambassador, we are eager to establish good relations between our two cultures. We would be willing to do anything within our power to restore them."
"Well...," he hesitated for effect. "Our people fear Commander Chakotay, but they have come to trust and respect you, Captain. If you were to demonstrate that you trusted him, then it would reassure the people."
Kathryn jerked her head back toward the ambassador. "I'm not sure what you're asking for, Ambassador. Commander Chakotay is my first officer and second in command of Voyager. I trust him with my life. You want me to tell them that?" She gave him a confused look.
"Yes, Captain, I understand that. But we also know you were sent to apprehend him and only joined forces after being stranded here in our quadrant of the galaxy. You see, a forced alliance is not as reassuring as a true bond of trust... on a more personal level." He sat back and sipped experimentally at his cup of coffee, allowing the captain to digest that information.
"What exactly do you want her to do?" Chakotay demanded, alarmed at the turn these negotiations were taking and unable to sit quietly as he was used to manipulate Kathryn.
"Nothing unpleasant, Commander. I assure you."
Chakotay did not look assured. His jaw muscle twitched as he stared down the ambassador.
"Perhaps you could be more specific." Kathryn replied. She put a hand on Chakotay's arm.
"You would accompany Commander Chakotay to the surface, staying with him at all times, and guaranteeing his conduct. This would demonstrate to the populace that your trust is more than just an alliance of two enemies."
Kathryn leaned forward with her elbow on her desk and her hand extended toward the ambassador. "That's it? I just chaperone him while we're collecting the supplies?"
"Yes," he nodded. "And of course at the ceremony."
Kathryn did a double-take. "What ceremony?"
"Oh, it's nothing to be concerned about. Commander Chakotay will be asked to burn the costume he wore, as a sign that he is not..."
"I understand. That will be no problem." Kathryn said. "Would you like us to bring it in a sack or a box?"
"Yes that would be very considerate." He smiled at her. "I'll be sure to mention that in my speech at the banquet."
"A banquet?" Kathryn rubbed her temples and tried to look calm.
"Of course. The banquet in honor of your visit and the freeing of your life mate from that... evil influence."
"Life mate?" Chakotay and Kathryn spoke over the top of each other. Kathryn took a breath and continued, "Are there more details about this ceremony that we should know?"
"Not to worry." He reassured them. "As I said earlier, my people will not be comfortable unless they see that you are completely comfortable with each other. You both do know how to dance?"
Kathryn sputtered an affirmative. Chakotay nodded silently.
"Do not be concerned, Captain. A few dances, some pleasant conversation - a strategically timed kiss, purely for theatrical effect. Is it so much to ask for you to get your supplies and my people to have their peace of mind restored?"
There was a long pause while Kathryn considered the ambassador's request. It wasn't so much to ask. A few hours of play acting and both groups would have what they needed. She looked at Chakotay to gauge his willingness to go along with it. He raised his eyebrows in response, but then nodded.
"All right, we agree to your terms, Ambassador. When shall we transport down?"
"Just before lunch I think. Yes, then we can finalize the details of the trade over our meal."
Kathryn rose to shake his hand, and to signal and end to the interview. "We'll see you tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to it, and please call me Xarl." He took her hand and grinned widely.
"Thank you, Xarl, and please call me Kathryn." She walked him to the Ready Room door and then called for Tuvok to escort him to the transporter room. The instant the door closed behind him she pressed her back against it and buried her head in her hands.
Chakotay watched her shake her head and was concerned until her heard her laughing. She looked up and saw him staring back at her with concern. "I thought he'd never leave," she exclaimed. "I need a drink. Coffee black," she told the replicator. "Anything for you?"
"I'll have some tea."
She collected the mugs and took them over to the couch. Chakotay joined her and they sipped their drinks while discussing the strange ambassador and their strategy for the next day. It should be simple enough. Holding hands, dancing, a couple of chaste kisses, they were both mature adults, what could possibly go wrong?
The next day, Kathryn met Chakotay and two security officers in the transporter room. She stepped onto the platform, next to Chakotay, and handed the sealed, opaque container containing a duplicate of the offending costume to one of the officers standing behind her. This team, and the others already on the planet, had all been briefed on the unusual requirements of this trade negotiation.
Kathryn squared her shoulders and told herself this was just another away mission. She held extended her hand to Chakotay. "Ready, Commander, or should I practice calling you Chakotay?"
He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. "Ready, Kathryn." He smiled back at her, and squeezed her hand. He looked forward and took a deep breath. This was no big deal, just some play acting. His mind wandered off, on its own. 'Just an opportunity to hold Kathryn's hand, to pretend we are more than friends, to hold her, dance with her, kiss her, all in front of our crew." He frowned. 'And all with the bonus of getting myself shot out an airlock if she ever suspects it's more than that to me.'
Kathryn noticed his frown and guessed the cause. She suspected she had the same conflicted feelings as Chakotay had about this away mission. But, if they both did a good enough job of pretending, they could enjoy themselves and not damage their working relationship. 'You're a rotten liar, Kathryn,' she told herself.
Catching Chakotay eyes, she squeezed his hand and smiled. "We'll be more convincing if you look like you enjoy holding my hand."
Chakotay froze for a second and then chuckled self-consciously. "Of course you're right, Cap..., Kathryn." He gave her a broad smile and was pleased to see her return it. He decided to save all his thinking for dealing with the ambassador and the rest of the Xrenshauw, and to let his feelings guide him in their little make-believe.
"Let's go." Kathryn gave the order to the transporter chief and they transported directly to the coordinates of the ambassador's meeting room.
Xarl, flanked by four assistants, walked forward to greet them after they materialized. "I'm so glad you could join us, Captain, Commander." He ushered them to their seats and signaled for lunch to be brought in. The tables were arranged in a U shape, with three seats across the top and more seats on the two sides. In addition there were a couple smaller tables at the "bottom" of the room.
"We're happy to be here," she replied.
The security officers were still standing, waiting for instructions. Xarl looked at the container. "And is that the, uh, item?"
Kathryn nodded. "Yes, it is. I hope that is acceptable?"
"Very good. Yes, very good indeed." He approached the security officer and extended his hands. "May I?"
Kathryn wasn't sure what he intended, but she wanted to be as accommodating as possible. "Of course, Ambassador."
Xarl took the box and gave it to one of his assistants. He took it gingerly, holding it away from his body, and scurried out of the room. "Xarl, please Kathryn." He emphasized his name and gave her a nodding bow. "My assistant will make sure it arrives safely at the ceremony. It would not do to have you carrying it around with you. It might spark another incident. You understand."
"Yes, of course, Xarl." She held up Chakotay's hand, which was still joined with hers. "We're here to solve problems between our people, not create new ones."
"Excellent, Kathryn, excellent." Xarl smiled.
Three other members of the trade delegation entered the room and took their seats further down on the table. As the food arrived, Xarl's remaining assistants escorted the security team to one of the other tables at the far end of the room. Kathryn noted the degree of respect Xarl showed to them, but he always made sure he had a few more attendants than she did.
Chakotay leaned over and whispered. "He certainly enjoys his home court advantage."
She smiled. Part of what made them a great team was that they often thought exactly alike, and part was when they didn't. "You read my mind, Chakotay."
Kathryn looked at the plate in front of her. There was a selection of native fruits along with breads, a soup of some kind, and something that looks oddly like macaroni salad. She picked up a utensil and dipped it into the soup.
"I hope everything is to your liking," Xarl said, as he saw her hesitate. "My cooks examined the data your cook provided and made dishes to approximate what you are used to. I wasn't sure about the odd shaped bread bits." He motioned toward the salad. "It looked to me like a fanciful dish for children, but he assured me it was enjoyed by adults in your culture."
Kathryn exchanged utensils for a pronged instrument, roughly resembling a fork. Meals could be such an adventure on first contact. And she took a bite of the salad. Smiling as she tasted it, she nodded to Xarl. "It's delicious. I'll have to direct my cook to the part of the database your cook found." She leaned over conspiratorially and said in a mock whisper, "Confidentially, while Mr. Neelix is an excellent ambassador, and a fine negotiator, he has had some difficulty grasping the subtle differences between Talaxian and Human cuisine."
Xarl chuckled at that admission. "You can thank Mr. Paris for this then. He suggested that 'comfort food' was more likely to put you at ease than sampling our exotic native dishes as Mr. Neelix suggested."
It was Kathryn' turn to chuckle now. "Yes, Mr. Paris looks out for me."
The ambassador seemed very pleased with something. Kathryn assumed it was her compliments on the meal and his choice of dishes.
Xarl looked on as Chakotay nudged her arm and she turned her head toward him.
She did a double-take as she saw the small blue fruit he was dangling in front of her. She raised an eyebrow quizzically. He returned the look and added a shrug and a mischievous grin. Kathryn shrugged back, grinned, and opened her mouth. Chakotay eased the fruit into her mouth, and she took a bite. He watched as she tasted the fruit, rolling it around in her mouth before swallowing it. "We need to add those to our supply list," Kathryn breathed, feeling a warm glow radiating out from her belly and through her whole body.. "They're wonderful."
Chakotay smiled broadly as he popped the rest of the fruit into her mouth. "I'll make a note of it." There was something beyond the delicious taste of the fruit. Eating it had been a sensual experience and Chakotay suspected that once analyzed, Kathryn would think twice about bringing them on board. But that could be dealt with later. He picked out another fruit and had it ready to offer to her when she'd finished the first one.
Xarl watched them surreptitiously throughout the meal. He found them fascinating. They were not a telepathic species, but these two seemed to communicate quite effectively without words. He was also very pleased they were enjoying the lunch. It was a feather in his cap to have done such an excellent job understanding their culture. If everything else went this well, he might be able completely erase the mistakes of the previous day and even turn this into a political gain for himself.
More food was brought to the table as they started to finish what was on their plates. Xarl beamed when an attendant arrived with several large cups on a tray. He stood and took the cups, serving his guests himself. "I had the kitchen prepare something special for you. I hope you'll be pleased." He sat the cups in front of them and stepped back. He fluttered his hands at them, encouraging them to try the beverage.
Kathryn took the delicate lid off of her cup and set it aside. As she did, the strong aroma hit her and she inhaled deeply. "Coffee?" Her eyes opened wide. She took a long sip and her eyes slid shut as she sank back into the chair, savoring it. "Mmmm, Chakotay, we need to add this to the list too. It tastes exactly like coffee."
Chakotay watched her take another sip, and then looked up and realized Xarl was staring at him. He assumed Xarl was waiting for him to try his cup. Chakotay knew he couldn't top Kathryn's reaction to her coffee, but he took the lid off prepared to give it his best effort. He lifted the cup and tasted it. To his surprise it was not coffee but one of his favorite tea blends instead. He looked at Xarl with surprise.
Xarl clapped his hands together with glee. Yes, today was going very well.
The ambassador made small talk throughout the meal. He asked about Voyager, their journey, their lives before the Delta Quadrant. Kathryn and Chakotay found themselves sharing many stories they hadn't thought about in years. There was nothing significant in any of them. Xarl seemed interested in the most mundane things.
Kathryn told him about her mother's caramel brownies and about her dog. He asked Chakotay about his father and Chakotay told him about his home growing up. There seemed to be no pattern to the questions, just random small talk, but it made Kathryn a little homesick. She was used to discussing ship's business and politics - safe, impersonal topics.
As the remnants of lunch were cleared away, Xarl switched gears. "Kathryn, I asked several of our key trade ministers to join us for lunch so we could conclude our negotiations." One of his aides passed out a copy of the lists of Xrenshauw's and Voyagers trade goods while Xarl introduced the ministers.
They spent the next few hours working out the details. Kathryn and Xarl both seemed pleased with the outcome. The discussion was long and detailed, but courteous and pleasant. Kathryn had been able to secure all the items Voyager needed without giving up anything critical. She wished all their negotiations could be so easy.
After the negotiations concluded, they had just under two hours before the ceremony. Xarl had personally escorted them to a suite of rooms where they could rest and refresh themselves. He had apologized for keeping them inside, but he explained that he wanted to avoid any further unpleasant incidents. Kathryn had assured him that she understood, and now they found themselves alone.
Kathryn examined the pot of coffee that was waiting for them in the main room. She poured herself a cup and then looked around for Chakotay. She heard him rustling around in the next room. Crossing the room, she leaned on the open door frame and sipped her coffee as she watched him open doors and poke his head into all the closets. "Ever the conscientious first officer, securing the area before relaxing. And you accuse me of not knowing how to enjoy myself."
He closed the last closet and turned to look at her. "Maybe I enjoy my work?"
Her eyes held his as he glided across the room toward her. She blinked when he reached the door. This was just a routine away mission, and this was just her first officer. She took a step back to allow him to walk through the door, but he only stepped forward and leaned on the doorframe where she had been a moment before. He smiled warmly at her.
Kathryn cleared her throat, and looked down at her coffee. She could think clearer when she wasn't looking at Chakotay.
"Would the captain like to hear my report on our situation?" His words were serious, but his tone was light, almost playful.
Kathryn chuckled. "Yes, report please."
"I'm pleased to report that everything seems in order. The suite is a mirror image, matching sets of rooms coming off either side of this main room. There's a bedroom, bath, and huge closet. Those windows, which by the way are locked, open out onto a lovely balcony overlooking an even more delightful garden."
Kathryn wandered over to the windows he indicated and brushed the curtains aside to look out. "It is lovely. Too bad we're not staying here longer. This would be ideal for shore leave." She stepped back from the window and bumped into Chakotay's chest. "Excuse me," she muttered. He was standing too close for her to concentrate. She held up her coffee between them and took another sip.
Chakotay blinked this time, and shook his head to clear it. He had an odd desire to smash that coffee cup. He stepped back and pointed at the far door. "Speaking of the lack of time, if you want to take advantage of the swimming pool masquerading as a bath tub in there, you'd better get moving."
"Right," she said, tearing herself away. She hurried through the far door to what they had tacitly agreed were her set of rooms. Once she was inside she closed the door and leaned against it. She concentrated on breathing. She heard her heart thumping loudly. No, not her heartbeat, it was the door.
Why was he knocking? She did *not* want to face Chakotay right now.
When she didn't answer, he called out to her. "Are you decent?"
She took a deep breath. Pasting a casual smile on her face, she opened the door. "I was about to start the water. What's going on?"
Chakotay held up the coffeepot. "I thought you might want this."
Kathryn took the pot from his hand and stared at it for a moment. He shifted his weight and she looked up. "Uh, thanks." She stepped back and pulled the door shut.
"You're welcome," he called through the door.
Kathryn chuckled at the absurdity of the situation, as she walked to the bathroom and started the water. She was hiding from her first officer, and she wasn't sure why.
While the tub filled she investigated the rest of the things in the room. She found everything she needed, not much surprise there, given the ambassador's desire to make them at home. She grabbed a couple fluffy towels and a robe, and poured some bubble bath into the tub. She peeled out of her clothes and tossed them into the refresher.
'I wonder if they provided any reading material?' she wondered. Sure enough, there was a selection of datapads, all focusing on different aspects of the planet and Xrenshauw's culture. She selected one titled, "A Visitor's Guide to Xrenshauw." She imagined Xarl would be pleased if she could talk knowledgably about his world, and a happy ambassador was much more likely to help then through any hurdles they might encounter. And maybe she could find some questions to ask him, and avoid telling the rest of her life story over dinner.
Kathryn shut off the water once the tub was full. She set the book on the edge and slid down into the hot water. She sighed, 'All trade negotiations should be like this.'
Later, Kathryn emerged from her rooms into the common area to find Chakotay stretched out on the couch reading a "book."
He looked up and smiled as she walked in. "Did you enjoy your swim?"
Kathryn sat on the couch opposite Chakotay, and put her feet up on the coffee table. "You weren't kidding about the size of that tub. It was absolutely decadent. I'm tempted to set Voyager down and move in here permanently." She stretched her arms over her head and leaned back on the cushions. "What have you been up to?"
"After talking up the bath tub, I decided to give it a try. I soaked for a while, then I came out here to read." He held up the datapad. "All I could find were books on local culture, customs, flora and fauna, etc... I don't think it's a coincidence."
"I don't think it's anything sinister. They value cultural exchange." She tapped her datapad and found a picture of some of the local sites. "I think it's also a travel brochure. I'd love to see this." She turned it toward him.
He looked at it for a moment. Then he waved his hand at it. "You wouldn't like it."
'What do you mean? Waterfalls, natural hot springs, surrounded green forest, and overlooking a panoramic view of the valley. What's not to like?"
"It's not accessible except by foot. Read the fine print."
She read for a moment. "Oh, I see what you mean." She said somewhat subdued. Then she perked up. "We could transport there. Problem solved!"
He raised an eyebrow. "We?"
"Yes, we, whoever wants to go." She sounded nonchalant but he noticed her cheeks grow slightly pinker.
"I see. In that case, "we" would need to be staying here for shore leave, and I don't think "we" included that in the negotiations." He sat back with his book. "Pity, it would have been fun."
Kathryn was going to comment further, but a knock at the door interrupted her. "Enter," she said automatically.
One of Xarl's aides opened the door and stepped in. "I was sent to see if you needed anything before the ceremony. Your escort will be here in about 5 minutes."
"We're fine. Thank you." Kathryn answered. Her eyes lit up when she saw he was carrying a fresh pot of coffee. He poured her a cup and she took it eagerly and sampled it. "That settles it. I'm never leaving. Tuvok will just have to fly the ship home on his own." The aide bowed and smiled before leaving the suite.
She took another swallow. "At this rate I'll be awake for the next week. Won't the Doctor love that?" Chakotay watched with interest as she took another swallow. "Ah, I've just made another command decision."
"What would that be?"
"The Doctor goes with Tuvok. I don't want him here spoiling my fun." Kathryn ran her hand through her hair, and worked on finishing her coffee before they had to leave.
"And what about me?" The words were out before he realized he'd said them.
Kathryn pulled her cup closer to her body. She used her other hand to check the amount of coffee left in the pot. "There's no way I can drink all of it before they come back. Go ahead and have some." She pushed the pot towards him on the coffee table.
He regarded her for a moment, trying to figure out if she was joking with him, but she seemed in earnest. "I meant do I get to stay or are you going to send me off with Tuvok and the Doctor?" And he'd done it again. Words he was thinking just seemed to flow out of his mouth and he had no power to stop them. He hoped he wasn't going to blurt out anything truly embarrassing, and as soon as he thought that, he realized that was the worst thing to think. His thoughts were interrupted by Kathryn's question.
"Well?" She was waiting for an answer.
He looked dazed for a moment. "Uh, I'm sorry, Kathryn. My mind wandered. What did you say?"
She frowned at him. "I said," she enunciated slowly, "Of course you can stay, if you want to. So, do you?" She seemed annoyed with him.
"Of course I'd stay. What sort of first officer would I be if I left my captain behind?" 'Or the woman I love,' he continued. His eyes went wide as he looked at Kathryn. She hadn't reacted. He hadn't said it out loud. That was a relief. He really needed to get a grip on himself.
"I think I'm withdrawing my offer to share my coffee. You're jumpy enough." She laughed. "Next time, stay in the tub longer."
He was going to respond, but a knock at the door stopped him.
Kathryn gulped down the last of her coffee and set the cup down reluctantly. She patted the coffeepot, "I'll be back."
They both stood as their escort came in. Both the Xrenshauw and Voyager security details were there. An aide she recognized from earlier addressed them. "Captain, Commander, if you would follow us please."
Kathryn started to walk forward. Chakotay caught up with her and took her hand in his. She paused for a second, and then smiled and wrapped her arm around his. "Lead on," she said to their guide.
Ambassador Xarl met them at the site for the ceremony. They stood in a small room with a connecting door to a much larger room. "Kathryn, Chakotay, I'm so pleased you came!"
Kathryn looked at Chakotay. Both were under the impression that their attendance was not optional. Kathryn assumed it must be more of the Xrenshauw's complicated social customs. She nodded to Xarl. "We are anxious to repair any harm done and begin a positive relationship with your people." She was rewarded with a broad smile from Xarl.
"Just as you say, Kathryn." Xarl nodded enthusiastically. He called the attendant over who was carrying their box. "Once we are inside, your attendants will stand in the back and I will assist you with your parts. If all goes well, we should be done in only a few minutes." He waited for them to nod their agreement. "Excellent, please follow me."
Xarl walked forward and the doors opened. Kathryn and Chakotay followed him out into the room, their arms linked together. Kathryn looked up and saw that they were at the bottom of a large amphitheater filled with people. She began to understand some of Xarl's nervousness. There were thousands of people and if they were unhappy with the outcome, no amount of security could protect them.
Xarl stepped forward and introduced them as honored guests and valued trading partners. Kathryn was surprised when he spoke for a couple minutes about each of their families and shared a quick anecdote about her childhood. 'Apparently there was more to Xarl than met the eye,' she thought.
He stopped talking and stepped aside. That was her cue to say her piece. She took a deep breath. "Citizens of Xrenshauw, I am here today to assure you of Chakotay's innocence in the unfortunate misunderstanding when we first arrived. As Xarl has told you, I have known this man for many years, and I would trust him with my life. I hope you will understand our mistake and forgive him because it would be impossible for me to continue my journey without him." When she finished her speech, she turned her head and tenderly kissed his cheek.
The crowd murmured appreciatively and she saw many of the people nodding their heads. 'So far, so good,' she thought.
Next Chakotay stepped forward. "I want to thank Xarl and Kathryn for speaking on my behalf. We searched your cultural database and hoped to find a tradition to share with you that was both uplifting and meaningful to our people. We had no idea of the similarity between our benevolent character and... any malevolent entity in your own culture. To demonstrate our sincerity, at your ambassador's request we have brought the offensive costume here, to be destroyed."
Chakotay looked at Xarl for confirmation that he should proceed. Xarl motioned for the box to come forward. As Chakotay took the box, a piece of the flooring in front of them retracted exposing a two-meter wide pit.
Xarl, put a hand on Chakotay to keep him from back for a moment. He nodded to another attendant and immediately fire rushed up from the bottom of the pit. Xarl let go of Chakotay and nodded for him to proceed.
Chakotay stepped forward, as close as he dared to the fire. As pulled the lid off the container, the crowd gasped. Being careful not to touch the fabric, he leaned out and shook the contents of the box into the fire. He watched it burn for a moment and then tossed the container in after it.
Chakotay heard the crowd's collective sigh of relief as he stepped back to Kathryn and took her arm again. He leaned over and repeated her gesture, kissing her on the cheek, and then patted her arm with his free hand.
Xarl beamed. He stepped forward and addressed the crowd. "All that is required has been done. Let this be a new beginning between our people."
Kathryn thought Xarl was going to float away as the crowd applauded. He looked extremely pleased with himself.
After enjoying the adulation of the crowd for several long minutes, he bowed and escorted them out of the room. In the antechamber he rubbed his hands together with glee. "That was very well done! You're both naturals at this."
"Thank you." Kathryn replied. "Is that all we need to do? They're satisfied now?"
"Oh yes, more than satisfied. You did very well." He seemed about ready to burst with excitement. "Now, we can enjoy the banquet and entertainment. Please follow me."
"That was easy," Kathryn whispered to Chakotay. "I wish all our first contacts were this simple."
"Speak for yourself Kathryn. You got coffee and a bubble bath - I got my uniform torn off and was suspected of being in league with some unnamable evil," he whispered back.
"I thought you said you enjoyed your job?" she chuckled.
He pulled her closer to him as they continued to walk, and he winked at her. "I like some parts better than others."
Kathryn chuckled. When she looked up, she noticed they were no longer in one of the narrow, windowless passageways they had been led through before. Now they were out in an open area. She could even see the sky through the clear ceiling above them.
They talked quietly as they walked, until finally they arrived at the banquet hall. Xarl led them inside and up to the head table. Kathryn looked out at the sea of tables and saw many members of her crew scattered throughout the room, with the senior staff seated close to the head table.
Kathryn and Chakotay stood beside Xarl and smiled as he made a short speech. He repeated the stories he told before, what he knew about their lives, and how Kathryn had come to Chakotay's aid in this unfortunate situation. He finished, the crowd applauded, and Kathryn and Chakotay were allowed to sit.
A waiter set a coffee pot on the table. Chakotay picked it up and poured Kathryn a cup of coffee. She smiled as she took it from him and took a large swallow. Another waiter set a tray of fruit on the table. Kathryn snatched one of the small blue fruits from it. While the rest of the guests settled, they alternated between nibbling on fruit and other appetizers and feeding them to each other.
As they waited for dinner to be served, Chakotay leaned toward Kathryn. "These are interesting people. I'm grateful that even though the Xrenshauw are fond of their customs and ceremonies, they seemed to favor short ones."
Kathryn laughed. "I was thinking the same thing. Every time I brace myself for a long drawn out ordeal, they surprise me."
"Perhaps we should invite some of them back to the Alpha Quadrant with us," he suggested. "They could teach Federation politicians and bureaucrats a few things."
They both chuckled, loud enough to garner them a raised eyebrow from Tuvok. Instead of quieting her, it only caused Kathryn to start giggling again. Chakotay noticed Tuvok's expression darken. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he suspected the Vulcan was annoyed with them.
Their host didn't seem to mind. In fact Xarl joined in the laughing. After a moment he looked at Kathryn. "I'm honored you find so many things about our culture to praise. It's not often we have guests who show such appreciation."
"It's not often we find people like yours. Our trip home would have been much easier if we'd encountered more planets like this." She raised her cup of coffee. "Allow me to show you another of our customs, it's called a toast." Chakotay raised his glass of juice, and Xarl copied them, raising his own glass. "I give you the Xrenshauw, a finer and more hospitable people you could never hope to meet. Would that all the species we encounter were half as pleasant." She clinked her cup against Chakotay's glass, and then she repeated it with Xarl. Kathryn and Chakotay took a sip from their drinks, and Xarl followed suit.
"A charming custom, Kathryn, and very brief." Xarl winked at her. "Shall I assume it was not invented by a Federation bureaucrat?"
Kathryn began laughing again. "No, it's a very old custom. It predates the Federation, and it might even predate bureaucrats."
The meal arrived and the conversation died down for a while as they all ate. Chakotay continued picking up small bits of food and feeding them to Kathryn. He was pleased when she began to reciprocate again.
They were far too occupied to notice the looks passing between the ambassador and their helm and morale officers. Tom raised his glass toward Xarl and nodded. Xarl didn't respond for a moment, and then smiled and returned the gesture.
'Things were progressing splendidly,' Xarl reflected. He reclined back in his chair and observed his guests. After this he might be able to move his family into a larger home. He smiled at the thought.
As the dessert was cleared away, musicians began playing. Kathryn was surprised to recognize a waltz. "More research?" Kathryn asked.
Xarl nodded. "Do you approve of the selection?"
"Very much. I'm just amazed that the musicians were able to learn it so quickly," she replied.
"I'll let you in on a little secret. The musicians are phenomenal, but they're getting a little help from the amplification system, and some recordings your officers supplied."
"The affect is impressive." Chakotay commented.
"It's even more impressive from the dance floor. Would you do us the honor of leading out the first dance?" Xarl asked.
Kathryn and Chakotay exchanged a look. He pushed his chair back from the table and stood. He extended his arm toward her, and bowed slightly. "May I have this dance?"
Kathryn brushed her hair back and then stood up. "I'd love to," she said as she took his hand.
Chakotay led her down to the dance floor. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding the other out in a formal pose, and began to guide her around the empty dance floor in slow graceful circles. The crew and other guests were all watching them, but Chakotay was only concentrating on how it felt to hold Kathryn in his arms and gazed into her eyes.
Kathryn didn't notice when, but at some point other couples joined them on the floor. She first noticed when Tom and B'Elanna waltzed past them. "Looking good, Captain. You should dance more often." Tom said. They were gone before either could reply.
"What was that," Kathryn asked.
"I think it was your helmsman and chief engineer, unless I'm mistaken."
Kathryn raised an eyebrow.
"Apparently they like our dancing," Chakotay shrugged.
"I like it too," she murmured.
They talked off and on, about nothing in particular. Wasn't the food delicious, and didn't the orchestra sound lovely, and how many pots of coffee could they beam up to the ship without anyone noticing. Neither could remember a more relaxing time together. And as they danced, every few minutes a couple from the crew would dance by and compliment them on how well they danced together.
"Chakotay," she said, as they started what must have been their tenth dance. "Is it my imagination, or is the crew unusually complimentary tonight?"
Chakotay frowned. He much preferred the light conversation they'd been having. "You're not imagining it. I think they're just trying to be supportive."
"Hmmm," Kathryn murmured. "Do they think this is so awful for us that we need their constant reassurance?"
"I doubt that's what they think." The music slowed for the next song, and he pulled her hand in to his chest.
Kathryn sighed and leaned her head against his chest. She slid her free hand up his shoulder and around his neck. Chakotay's arms tightened around her and she closed her eyes as they swayed back and forth in the sea of couples. She felt Chakotay lean down and place a kiss on the top of her head. Kathryn opened her eyes and looked up. He seemed uncertain as her eyes locked with his. She didn't like it.
"I'm supposed to be rescuing you, but you don't look like you're enjoying being rescued," she teased him.
He smiled and pulled her close again. "You can rescue me anytime, Kathryn."
"Good." She looked up at him and slowly began tightening her arm, pulling his face down toward hers.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asked.
"No," she answered just before his lips met hers.
They kissed gently as they swayed to the music, oblivious to the people around them. Kathryn felt like she was floating. Somewhere in the back of her mind a voice was trying to tell her she should stop, but she didn't feel like listening.
As the song ended, they pulled apart slightly and made their way to the edge of the floor. Chakotay saw a couple empty chairs at a table on the edge of the dance floor and he guided her toward it.
"How did you know I was ready to take a break?" she asked him when they were seated.
"Years of experience." He pulled their seats closer together and took her arm in his. He was pleasantly surprised when Kathryn leaned her head against his shoulder.
They watched the dancers swirl past them. Couples came and went from the table they were at. Kathryn noticed the locals made a token effort at small talk, but then left them to themselves. When the members of the crew sat down, they acknowledged the captain and first officer, but then essentially ignored them. They didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable with how Kathryn and Chakotay were acting. Either they were doing a superb acting job, or it simply didn't affect them.
Kathryn thought about it for a moment, but then decided that snuggling into Chakotay was far more interesting.
Chakotay heard the announcement that the orchestra was playing its last song of the evening. He couldn't believe the time had gone by so quickly. He straightened up, causing Kathryn to look up at him. "Would you like to dance the last one?"
She nodded and they moved back out to the dance floor. Kathryn felt like Cinderella at the end of the ball. It was almost over and then everything would go back to the way it was.
As the dance ended, the crowd applauded the musicians. Chakotay continued holding Kathryn as the dancers started to disperse. He only started to let go when he saw Neelix approaching.
"These people really know how to throw a party. And you, Captain. I had not idea you were such an accomplished dancer. I'll expect to see the two of you dancing at the Christmas party next week. It's very good for morale, you know." Neelix dashed off before Kathryn could collect herself and come up with a response.
"That was odd," she said.
"What was strange about it? It seemed like the same Neelix as ever."
"I know. I just thought he would react differently."
He gave her a confused look. "What did you think he would do?"
She shrugged, "I suppose I expected this situation to make them all uncomfortable. I expected it to make me uncomfortable." She said the last part barely above a whisper.
Chakotay chuckled softly and shook his head. "Kathryn, you've been their captain for how many years, and you still don't know them? It takes a lot more than seeing their commanding officers enjoying each other's company, to upset them."
They started walking toward the front of the room to say their good-byes. Chakotay paused as he realized what she had said. "What did you mean, about not being uncomfortable?"
"I guess I'd always assumed certain things and never really tested those theories," she said, almost to herself.
"Maybe it's time you did?"
Kathryn nodded and they continued walking through the crowd.
The next morning Kathryn woke when her alarm sounded but she couldn't bring herself to get up or even to open her eyes.
"Computer, reset alarm for tomorrow."
Kathryn's eyes flew open when she heard the voice. She snapped her head toward the sound, and instantly regretted it as she a wave of nausea hit her. "Chakotay, what are you doing in my bed?"
"I was sleeping, now I'm trying not to be sick," he answered. "How about you?"
"About the same." She opened her eyes again and took a quick inventory of the situation. The first thing that struck her was that these were not her quarters, followed closely by an aching sensation all over her body, and particularly in her head and feet. She tried to wiggle her toes, hoping that would make them feel better, but there was something preventing them from moving. She rubbed her forehead, and as her arm came up, she noticed she was still wearing her uniform, jacket and all. She moved her feet again - ah, and boots. She thought back and tried to remember how she'd wound up here.
Chakotay had performing a similar inventory. He slowly turned his head toward her. "Kathryn, I think these are my quarters, which means I get to ask what you're doing in my bed." He chuckled and instantly regretted it as his head pounded.
"Doctor to Captain Janeway," her commbadge beeped.
"Yes Doctor?" She did her best to sound nonchalant.
"I was wondering if you'd like me to make a house call this morning."
"Why would I want that, Doctor?" She winced again and pressed the heal of her hand against her temple.
"I've been conducting routine analyses of the supplies we acquired, and I found one of the fruits you were enjoying yesterday has some minor, but still unpleasant side-effects, if enough of it builds up in your system. By all accounts you consumed several at lunch and dinner, and had more with you when you transported up to the ship. I imagine you and Commander Chakotay are both experiencing slight disorientation and some discomfort."
Kathryn sighed. "Yes, Doctor. Apparently we both have hang-overs."
"Just as I thought. Stay put and I'll be right there. Doctor, out."
Kathryn stood up slowly, trying not to increase the pounding in her head.
"Maybe we should change before the Doctor gets here." Kathryn looked in the mirror and began smoothing her hair and uniform. She glanced at Chakotay and noticed he was sitting up, but hadn't moved from the edge of bed. "Aren't you going to change?"
"No, I'm going to sit very, very still until he comes and makes the room stop spinning."
She put her hands on her hips and scowled at him.
Chakotay glanced at her without moving his head. "I assume you want to straighten up so the Doctor won't get the wrong idea and start a lot of embarrassing rumors. But if you're in a fresh uniform it will be obvious you changed after getting up, and that would open the question of what you were wearing before. As it stands, it would be obvious even to a blind man that we both slept in our uniforms." He closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths. The effort of making that long speech had made him queasy again.
Kathryn started to say something, but was interrupted by the Doctor's arrival.
"Good morning." He walked up to Kathryn and ran a tricorder over her. Then he went to Chakotay and scanned him. Reaching into his bag, he retrieved a hypospray and made some adjustments before injecting each of them. "That should do it. The toxin wasn't very dangerous, that's probably why it didn't raise any red flags when we first analyzed the fruit."
Kathryn's head was clearing rapidly and the pain and nausea were fading. "Doctor, is there anything else we need to know about this fruit? I don't make a habit of waking up in my crew's quarters."
The Doctor considered her question for a moment. "No, there was not much else remarkable about them. They do produce a slight feeling of euphoria and could affect one's inhibitions, but only marginally. A glass of synthehol produces a more pronounced effect."
Chakotay looked up. "That doesn't make sense, Doctor. I remember leaving the banquet with Kathryn, but nothing else until the alarm went off this morning."
"Hmmm," the Doctor said, taking another reading. "You did have rather high concentrations of the active component of the fruit in your systems. I'm sure the memories will return as your bodies recover." He noticed the concerned look the Captain and Commander exchanged. "I wouldn't worry about it."
"Easy for you to say," Kathryn muttered.
"You have nothing to worry about, Captain. By all accounts your behavior was the model of decorum, and I've heard a great number of compliments on your dancing."
"By all accounts? Is the whole crew talking about us?" Kathryn was appalled, and confused.
"They liked our dancing?" Chakotay added.
The Doctor shifted his weight and looked at the floor. "Well, some of the bolder crewmembers might have expressed the opinion that you looked 'cute' dancing together. And there were a number who hoped to catch a repeat performance at the Christmas party."
Chakotay chuckled at Kathryn's shocked expression. When she scowled at him again, he said, "What did you expect?"
Kathryn shrugged. She didn't really have an answer.
"I don't know what you expected, but the crew is taking it all in stride. Speaking as the ships chief medical officer, I'm pleased as well. Seeing their commanding officers relaxing and showing a little of their human side is good for the crew's morale." He noticed Kathryn's skeptical look. "Just look around for yourself if you don't believe me." He collected his instruments and put them back in his bag. "In the mean time, I've got other patients to see. You're not the only ones who discovered that fruit."
Kathryn watched him walk out of the cabin until the door slid shut behind him. She turned to look at Chakotay.
He got up, grabbed a fresh uniform, and then started toward the bathroom.
"What are we going to do about this?" She asked.
"I'm going to change and go have breakfast."
"What about the crew?" She started to pace back and forth.
"They can have breakfast too, as long as they save some for me." He brushed past her and added a towel to the items in his arms.
"Chakotay, I don't see how you can be so calm about this?"
He stopped collecting things and turned to look at her. "Kathryn, the crew are all adults. I think they'll survive, no matter what they imagine happened." He caught her arm and halted her pacing. "My only regret is not remembering any of the details. Holding you in my arms all night is something I think I'd like to remember." He reached up, pulling her head towards him, and kissed her forehead. Before she could react, he disappeared into the bathroom.
Kathryn stood for several minutes staring at the closed door before turning and heading back to her quarters.
Kathryn showered, put on a clean uniform, and left for the mess hall. She didn't want to face the crew, ever, but the sooner she did it the sooner things could get back to normal. She stopped outside the door to the messhall and steeled herself. She dreaded this part more than anything else, the crew noticing her and pretending not to stare, the conversations stopping in mid-sentence.
Taking a deep breath she affected a casual smile and walked through the door.
The room was nearly full of people eating their breakfast before Alpha shift. She got into line, picked up a tray, and looked straight ahead. She listened for the change in the volume of the room that normally accompanied her arrival, but it didn't happen, people continued talking and joking without interruption.
Kathryn was pondering this when she was jostled. She turned and saw a crewman from engineering.
"Sorry, Captain. I'm still not 100% after my run-in with that alien fruit."
"No harm done." She smiled, trying to put him at ease.
"Thanks, Captain." He looked down and shifted his weight back and forth. "I have to admit, I was pretty embarrassed when I woke up this morning. I figured the rest of the crew in engineering were going to give me a pretty hard time about it. Then I heard you and Chakotay'd had the same problem." He looked up at her. "Well I figure if it could happen to you two, then they can't tease me about it, or at least I'm in good company if they do." He smiled and stood a little taller.
He looked like he was waiting for a response, but Kathryn wasn't quite sure what to say. She smiled at him and said, "Thank you, crewman."
He nodded and smiled back.
Kathryn reached the front of the line and Neelix began his usual sales pitch about today's selections. She held out her plate and accepted whatever he wanted to put on it. Most days accepting his recommendations was easier than dealing with the extended version of his pitch.
"...And this has been particularly popular this morning. I modified the usual recipe to give it additional the enzymes required to break down the toxin from the Xrenshauw fruit. I took a double helping of it myself this morning." He chuckled as he spooned some of the dish onto her plate. Then he surprised her by pouring a cup of something that smelled just like coffee. Neelix's eyes lit up when he saw Kathryn's surprise. "I did a small trade on the side. They were most generous and I even obtained some live plants."
"Excellent work, Neelix," Kathryn beamed at him. "I may have to put a commendation in your file." She patted his arm and then turned to look for a table.
She was debating whether to sit next to Chakotay to prove everything was business as usual, or to sit somewhere else to avoid an awkward situation with him. Her decision was made for her when B'Elanna called her over to the table she was sharing with Tom and Chakotay.
Kathryn sat her tray down and took the empty seat next to Chakotay. She said good morning to all of them and started eating her breakfast.
B'Elanna picked up her previous conversation. "So, Harry never did make it back to his cabin. The Doctor had him transported straight to sickbay."
Tom laughed. "I guess we got off better than he did. So did you, Captain. I hear you at least made it back to the ship before that stuff caught up with you. But in a way it's too bad. I'm sure you could have parlayed their apology into another few tons of coffee."
Kathryn choked on her breakfast.
Chakotay bristled at Tom's joke, but covered it over by patting Kathryn on the back. "Tom, I'm surprised at you. You should know never to joke with the captain, about coffee."
Tom snickered. "My apologies, Captain. Allow me to get you a fresh cup." She nodded and he whisked her cup away to the counter for a refill.
Kathryn finished breakfast and took her new cup of coffee with her to the bridge for. She relieved the gamma shift commander and continued through to her ready room. A pile of reports were waiting for her. She sifted through them and noted with pride that everything was in order. Her crew was functioning at peak efficiency, as usual.
The coffee had run out long before she was done reviewing the reports. She set them aside and decided to take a first hand look at the supplies being brought onboard.
As she walked through the ship, Kathryn noticed the crew seemed relaxed even as they hurried to get all the supplies unloaded and stowed away. They seemed as if they'd returned from a week of shore leave instead of a few hours of recreation. She overheard several talking about the adventures on Xrenshauw and swapping tales of the dancing and the food.
When they noticed her they showed the appropriate respect for their captain, but none of them seemed concerned about her presence. In fact, several crewmembers had complimented her and Chakotay's dancing.
In the cargo bay, Kathryn ran into Tuvok inspecting the area. Even though the Xrenshauw had been accommodating, he considered it illogical to let his guard down. "How is everything, Tuvok?"
"Good morning, Captain. Everything is in order. I am merely performing a routine check of security measures."
"I'm glad to hear it. The Xrenshauw seemed quite friendly, after we got over our initial difficulties, but I do feel more secure knowing you're not leaving anything to chance."
"Thank you, Captain." He nodded, acknowledging the compliment, and then resumed his work.
Kathryn stood watching him for a few more minutes.
Tuvok noticed that she had not left. "Was there something else, Captain?"
"I was curious about your observations."
He set his PADD down and waited for her to elaborate.
"Have you noticed anything different about the crew's behavior since coming to this planet?"
Tuvok thought for a moment. "I have observed a marked increase in morale, a decrease in tension, and even a slight increase in efficiency. Is that the difference to which you are referring?"
"Yes, actually it is. Do you have any ideas what's behind it?"
"I have a couple theories. I could interview some of the crew if you would like a more definite answer."
She was surprised. It was not like Tuvok to be vague or to withhold information. "I doubt interviews will be necessary. Why don't you go ahead and share your theories with me."
"If you are certain, Captain. I may be in error." He waited for her to nod. When she did, he proceeded. "The crew takes its cues from its Captain and senior staff. When you are tense, they are tense, when you are happy, they tend to be happy. I believe your relaxed and open behavior on Xrenshauw has had a salutary effect on the crew, and the higher efficiency and lower stress levels are the result."
"You mean my method of dealing with Xarl?" she asked.
Kathryn thought she heard Tuvok sigh, but decided she must have imagined it.
"No, I am referring to your dealings with Commander Chakotay. Seeing their captain relax and allow herself some measure of a personal life has in turn allowed them to bring more balance into their own lives. I believe the human saying is, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.'"
Kathryn felt her face begin to warm and knew she was starting to blush. "But we were just pretending for the Xrenshauw. That can't be the reason. The crew knows it was all play acting."
"Indeed." Tuvok raised an eyebrow and stared intently at her until she looked away. "I can only relate the facts as I have observed them. The crew's reaction to what they, rightly or wrongly believe has had a beneficial effect."
"I see." Kathryn murmured. "Thank you, Tuvok." She turned and left the cargo bay. When she returned to her ready room, she sat and stared at the same report, scrolling through it absentmindedly, until the end of her shift.
Two days later they said their farewells to Xrenshauw and resumed course to the Alpha Quadrant. Xarl had tried to entice them to remain for extended shore leave, but even though Kathryn was tempted, Christmas was only a few days away. It was a time to be spent with family, and Voyager was the only family any of them had in the Delta Quadrant.
Kathryn's anxiety about the Xrenshauw had tapered off just as her concern about the party started building. It was clear everyone was expecting her to dance with Chakotay, and many were not subtle about their other wishes for the two of them. She wanted to allow herself to be swept along in the festivities, but wasn't sure she could permit herself that luxury.
Chakotay was absolutely no help. He wasn't playing their usual game of pretending the dancing and kissing had meant nothing. He didn't press the issue, but, he also refused to ignore it.
They had agreed to go to the party together, as usual. Kathryn said she didn't want to call more attention to them by changing their routine. Chakotay replied simply that he was looking forward to going with her as well, letting her know he saw through her pretense but not pressing her.
And so they found themselves at the party in the holodeck, sharing a table with Tom, B'Elanna, and Tuvok. Kathryn and B'Elanna both wore dresses with long, full skirts, perfect for dancing. Kathryn's was green with a beaded bodice while B'Elanna's was red with swirls of matching sequins covering the top. Chakotay matched the rest of the men, wearing a dark, formal suit.
Kathryn picked at her dinner. She kept glancing around the room throughout the meal.
Chakotay finally leaned over and whispered, "Is everything all right, Kathryn?"
She pushed a piece of meat around her plate. "I'm trying to decide something."
"Anything I can help with?"
"No, I think you've helped enough already." She gave him a weak smile.
Chakotay patted her hand. "I'm here if you change your mind and want to talk about it."
"Thanks, I may take you up on that."
They finished dessert and as the dishes were being cleared away, Tom excused himself and went to start the band and the dancing part of the program. The lights went up on the dance floor and dimmed in the seating areas. Tom returned to the table as the first song started. He held out his hand to B'Elanna. "May I have this dance?"
B'Elanna stood and they walked out onto the dance floor. Kathryn watched them dance for a minutes.
Tuvok had been observing her mood and behavior all evening. He found her actions illogical, but he waited until half way through the second song for her to come to that conclusion on her own. When it appeared she wouldn't, he decided to speak to her, he did so quietly so as not to be overheard. "Captain, I believe the crew is anticipating you and Chakotay dancing together tonight. I can only conclude that the reason you are not dancing is because you do not wish to damage ship's morale or disciple, but your logic is in error. Crew morale has improved since they saw you together on Xrenshauw. You should consider that if you now send them the message that you believe it was a mistake; you will be undoing the benefit to your crew and damaging morale."
Kathryn did not reply. She sat quietly and considered what Tuvok had said.
Tom and B'Elanna returned to the table after the song ended. Tom noticed the others were not dancing and sighed. The number of people on the floor decreased and by the fourth song only a few couples were dancing.
Kathryn looked around and noticed most of the crew were staying at their tables. "Tom, B'Elanna, why don't you get back out there again? It might liven things up."
Tom met Kathryn's eyes. "I don't think B'Elanna and me sitting out the dancing is what's killing the party." He stared at her another moment and then looked at B'Elanna. "Want some more punch?" Tom dashed off to the punch table leaving Kathryn staring after him with her mouth open.
"Care to dance?" Chakotay held his hand out.
Kathryn hesitated a moment, then she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. She stood, took Chakotay's hand, and followed him out onto the dance floor. He pulled her in against him, and they began move in time to the music, swirling gracefully around the dance floor.
They finished one dance, and as another started she noticed the floor filling with couples as the tables emptied. She looked curiously at Chakotay. He guessed what she was thinking. "You've always been correct that what we do together affects the crew. You just didn't notice when they stopped needing you to always be the captain, when they started needing to see you as a human being some of the time."
Kathryn blushed at his words, embarrassed that she'd missed the signs, and a little fearful of this new state of affairs. "I guess I've been so busy trying to be what everyone needed that I didn't see that they've moved beyond that. I'm not sure how to deal with this, It's not exactly something Starfleet covers in command school." She chuckled and he joined in with her.
"Then I suppose we'll have to figure this out on our own." He smiled gently and pulled her closer to him. She returned his smile and laid her head on his chest.
When the music stopped, Chakotay slowly lowered his lips to hers, and if the crew around them noticed, they were wise enough not to let on.
The End
Epilogue:
"...It sounds like your move went smoothly," Neelix said.
"Yes, my family is all settled in to our new home. My wife is very pleased." Xarl beamed at them across the commlink.
After the Christmas party Tom and Neelix had called Xarl to update each other.
"Congratulations on your promotion." Tom added.
Xarl smiled at Tom and Neelix over the commlink. "I'm pleased to hear your news as well. I would hate to think my first mission was a failure."
"You played your part perfectly," Neelix said.
Xarl bobbed his head. "You know your captain very well. As you suggested, I waited a full half hour after her coffee ran out before getting around to the details of our cultural exchange. By that point she was only too happy to leave the details to the two of you. It was very exciting, even though I was not at risk as you were. You risked much to make your friends happy."
"But the risk was worth the reward." Tom replied.
"It's a new concept for our people, this self-sacrifice that your crew finds so natural. The Captain denies her own needs to safeguard her crew, and in turn you risk her anger to help her. I found it fascinating."
Neelix nodded. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. We couldn't have done it without you."
"I am curious. What will you do if she discovers the true nature of the cultural exchange?"
"Ah, my dear Xarl, that is the true beauty of my plan." Tom leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. "Discovering that the entire crew was working together on it would only reinforce the message."
Xarl lifted his glass to them. "You are true masters. I'm honored to be your student."
After the call ended, Tom turned to Neelix. "I'm glad someone around here recognizes my brilliance."
THE END
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