Rating: PG-13
Tom stood in the Messhall.
B'Elanna laughed uncontrollably.
Neelix started to apologize.
Tom lifted a hand to tell him not to bother. As he did, whipped cream slid down his forearm and dripped off his elbow onto the carpet, joining with the rest that had already cascaded down his body in delicate rivulets flowing together to form a great pool at his feet.
B'Elanna howled as Tom bowed his head in defeat. She took a great hiccupping breath as she tried to calm herself enough to speak. "It's ok, Tom..." She looked at his bewildered expression and kissed him. Licking the whipped cream off her lips she gave a soft growl. "This has potential. Why don't I help you get cleaned up?"
B'Elanna dragged Tom away, past Neelix who still held the can of whipped cream in mid-air, and past Chakotay who caught the infectious gleam in Tom and B'Elanna's eyes.
"What was that all about?" Kathryn asked from her seat across the table.
Chakotay looked from the retreating couple, to Neelix, and back to Kathryn. "I'll go find out." He stood and tugged his jacket down as he assumed his most official pose, a la Captain Picard.
Kathryn chuckled as he thrust his chin out and prepared to act in his official capacity as first officer.
He glanced back at her. "Too much?"
She grinned and dabbed a tear from her eye. "Just go find out if Neelix is ok."
He strolled over to Neelix and took the can from his hand. It effectively unfroze Neelix whose mouth opened as his arm dropped.
"I don't understand what happened, Commander. I had finished slicing the deviled throck and was just preparing a dessert that Tom had requested. He's been a little down you know. And boom!" Neelix continued as Chakotay led him back to the counter.
Chakotay examined the can of whipped cream, nodding whenever Neelix slowed down. He held a second can below the counter and shook it vigorously while making reassuring noises.
"And I just don't see how it could have gotten all over Tom." He paused for breath and Chakotay put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"It's very simple, Neelix. I'm sure that can was defective. A one in a million chance. And did you know, humans like whipped cream in their coffee?" He put the new can into Neelix's hand as he turned him and guided him back toward the tables.
"You think the captain would enjoy it?"
Chakotay put a hand on Neelix's back, pressing him onward. "There's only one way to find out."
The next events happened so quickly that later Tuvok was hard pressed to accurately reconstruct them. He received eleven different stories from the eight crewmen he questioned. Some saw Neelix pointing the can at the captain, while others were sure it was Tom. Some didn't notice anything until after the site-to-site transport. One onlooker even claimed to see Chakotay tap his commbadge before the can went off.
Meanwhile, in Kathryn's quarters...
Kathryn stood in the middle of her main room, trying not to drip as Chakotay dashed off to get towels. She looked down and caught site of the long trails of white crisscrossing her uniform.
The last thing she remembered was Neelix prattling on about how sorry he was and how he had something special for her to try. Then the room erupted in white fluff and the sparkle of the transporter. And now she stood here, dripping quietly onto her carpet.
"Care to explain," she said as Chakotay returned and put a towel down for her to stand on. He handed her a second and kept a third in his hand.
"You know Neelix and Tom." He walked around her surveying the damage. "You'll be happy to know your backside is still regulation."
She stopped toweling her hair and turned to glare at him. "Are you laughing at your captain, Mister?"
He came and stood back in front of her. "Not at all." He stifled another chuckle. "Captain Janeway wouldn't be caught dead like this. I'm laughing *with* my good friend Kathryn."
Kathryn paused and looked at Chakotay. They had been planning to go to the holodeck after dinner to enjoy their favorite sailing program. Had been that is until Tom had casually asked if they were off for their regular Thursday date, and she had panicked saying she was too busy would Tom and B'Elanna like her time on the holodeck.
Chakotay had seemed to take it in stride at the time, but looking back she wondered. They had fallen into such a comfortable rut, dinners together, going over reports and discussing ship's business, and sometimes, like when they were sailing, just talking about everyday things, like real people.
She noticed Chakotay staring at her intently. "What's the problem, Chakotay? Have I got something on my face?"
He stepped forward, his eyes still locked on hers.
She watched him until he was too close for her to focus and his face dipped down next to hers. Kathryn felt his breath on her cheek.
"You missed a spot." His face hovered next to hers.
Kathryn held her breath not wanting to discourage him, but not daring to encourage him. After what seemed like forever she felt the warmth of his tongue dragging along the underside of her chin and along the jaw line. Her eyes drifted shut as she leaned into him. When he reached the end, he sucked her earlobe into his mouth and ran his tongue over it before releasing her and pulling back.
"Kathryn?" he asked, when she didn't move.
"I think you missed a spot," she murmured.
Chakotay's eyes lit up. "Where?"
"Other side. I'm sure I feel something sticky." She turned her head for him to check.
He took her face in his hand and pulled her closer. Then he carefully kissed along her jaw line to her ear. "Hmm. I didn't notice anything sticky there."
"Really, I could have sworn it was." She smiled up at him.
"No, but there's plenty more." He scooped a dollop of cream off her shoulder.
Kathryn pulled back slightly. "Um, I'm not sure..."
"You're right," he interrupted. He didn't want her backpedaling straight out of his arms. "Removing whipped cream from a uniform is not as pleasant as this." He brushed the whipped cream over her lips, giving her the option to lick it off or...
Kathryn raised an eyebrow and tilted her face up.
Chakotay accepted the invitation and caressed and kissed the cream off her lips. He ran the tip of his tongue over her lips several times and then nibbled and kissed along her lips to make sure it was all gone. When he finally pulled back they were both breathing heavily and flushed.
"That was...very..." she stumbled over what to say.
"Nice?" he suggested. "Because I thought it was at least nice."
Kathryn chuckled and rose up on her toes to kiss him quickly. "Yes, it was at least nice." Then she pulled back and used her towel to start wiping away the rest of the cream. "And now I think both of us should get out of these sticky uniforms." She plucked at her jacket which was soaked with melted whipped cream.
Chakotay stepped forward with a hopeful look. Kathryn blocked him with a hand on his chest. "Why don't you bring back some ice cream after you change?" She picked up the towels and darted into her bathroom, leaving him to stare after her.
Ten minutes later Kathryn was curled up on the couch next to Chakotay enjoying her ice cream.
Back in the messhall Tuvok decided to go to the source. He tapped his commbadge, "Tuvok to Captain Janeway. I am in the messhall and I --."
"I can imagine, Tuvok. Commander Chakotay and I are both fine, I'm sure Tom and B'Elanna are too. Tell Neelix not to worry."
"Thank you, Captain. Mr. Neelix was quite agitated when you didn't return for your dessert."
"I'm fine Tuvok. Please apologize to Neelix for us. We're having dessert here instead." The channel closed and she went back to her ice cream.
"Tuvok is very thorough," Chakotay said.
"Yes that's why I didn't tell him what we were really doing."
Chakotay's spoon paused mid-way to his mouth and he looked up at her.
She laughed at his shocked expression. "Tuvok, the commander and I are just brushing up on Maquis tactics."
Chakotay blinked, thoroughly confused now.
"What? You didn't think I'd notice the strange set of coincidences resulting in my sitting here with you, in my quarters, in my bathrobe?"
Chakotay's eyes twinkled as he put the ice cream in his mouth and shrugged his shoulders. After all, it would be impolite to talk with his mouth full.
THE END
Please help me out - click to vote for my site! |
