(PG-13)

by Delta Story

December 1997

Subspace Bulletin from Starfleet Reference Librarian Donna Forester: "December 5th is 'Bathtub Party Day'. If you have one, do it!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a long, boring day on Voyager. Kathryn Janeway, still in her ready room reviewing reports, was attempting to relieve the monotony by querying her data banks for any references she may have missed over the past four years on how to improve her favorite relaxing time. So, her tired husky voice had merely asked, "Computer, display any references from current or past files on... bathtubs." A crooked smirk crept across her face, as her memories reached back to a wooden bathtub on a deserted planet a couple of years ago.

And, lo and behold... the above message filled the screen of her terminal. What an idea! Why... by her calculations, this very day would be December 5 on Earth! What fun it would be to... did she dare? Acting on a hunch, she entered a more specific question to the computer.

"Computer... specifications for... wooden bathtub... New Earth."

"Searching..." the alto voice replied. Suddenly, there it was -- just as he had designed it. Chakotay had entered plans of his labor of love into the ship's reference files.

*For what, Commander?* she smiled. *Are you planning on constructing another one?*

She quickly assumed a serious expression on her face, trying to capture a similar tone in her voice as she hit her comm badge.

"Commander, I'm in my ready room. I would like to see you."

He thought that he heard something uncertain in her voice, and answered quickly, "On my way, Captain." She knew that it would take him a few minutes to arrive, as he had left the bridge over two hours ago.

Her hands were shaking, but the die had been cast. She got up, and started pacing the distance between her desk and the wide expanse of window in her inner sanctum, imagining the dark depths of endless space as a comforting lagoon of water, wrapping its soothing warm liquid around her.

The buzz at her door broke her reverie. She turned with a start.

"Come."

The doors opened, revealing a very much out-of-uniform first officer. "Sorry, Captain. I didn't take the time to dress properly," he said, with his smoldering eyes bright with a tease that deepened into his dimples.

"That's all right, Commander. If you can accomplish what I'm going to request, you will be dressed in less than that before the end of the evening." "Come here," she said excitedly, as she motioned him towards her desk to view what she had on her screen.

He moved swiftly to her side, and his bronzed face became burnished as he saw the image and words that she had retrieved.

"Kathryn, I hope that...."

She raised her hand and cut him off. "Commander, I have an idea for a little R&R on the holodeck tonight."

The red undertones of his blush became deeper, but she continued before he could respond. She quickly retrieved her earlier find regarding the celebratory nature of her idea.

"Commander, I think that the whole crew would benefit from celebrating 'Bathtub Party Day', don't you? Could you redesign your bathtub for the holodeck, to accommodate most of the crew? Why, we could even have... bubbles!" Her eyes were beginning to dance with the delight of a communal bath time for everyone. "There is *nothing* more relaxing than a nice, warm bath, don't you agree?"

"Er... well, I could probably have something ready in an hour or so. But..." he was still in a state of shock at her un-captain like suggestion, "how... um... what sort of ... attire do you propose? Or do you (now *his* eyes danced) propose that it be a truly communal bath of Earth's ancient Asian societies?"

She reached up and gave his shoulder a playful nudge. "Watch your thoughts, mister! Of course people will be properly attired."

He sensed something in her touch. Like a wire charged with energy, her fingers were alive with electricity, an energy that he knew was directed at him and him alone. His hand went up and covered hers, as his other hand lightly grasped her shoulder. He pulled her close and whispered into her ear, "Why don't I just recreate my original design and we could have our own little party?"

His words were wrapped in the warmth and steaminess of his heavy breath. They seemed to engulf not just her auditory senses, but inundated other nerve endings in her body. His closeness enfolded her in his rich maleness; the air was becoming rarefied. She pulled back, attempting to release herself form the spell that his presence was rapidly weaving.

"Chakotay..." she managed to gasp as she took a step backwards.

His face retained its hypnotic aspect; this time, he was not going to let her back out.

He made no attempt to regain the physical contact, but merely kept his gaze firm and steady. Patience and silence had their places in all negotiations. He could sense her discomfort with his lack of response; it was her turn to either respond or, once more, disregard the feelings he knew she had for him. He was resolute in his tranquillity.

The first sound was a soft nervousness coming from her throat, like the gentle laughter from a spring brook. Her eyes locked onto his.

"I wanted a party," she pouted, as she reached up to him.

"It *will* be," he said, responding by drawing her closer.

"Will there be games?" she asked, running her index finger around his lips.

"Whatever you want," he answered, stilling her fingers with his, and kissing them.

"Prizes?" she breathed into his ear.

"More than you can imagine," he spoke, leaning down to her upturned face.

"Will you let me win?" she managed to utter.

"There will be no losers," he whispered before his lips overwhelmed hers.

Neither wanted to be the first to break their embrace, for it was if its closeness brought a synergy that they both needed. Finally, she spoke, ever the captain in assessing the needs of the immediate situation.

"Commander, how long will it take you to set up a... bathtub party program for us?"

He grinned down at her, touching the tip of her upturned nose. "I already have it on a chip. If there is a vacant holodeck, we will have our bathtub."

She suddenly became aware of the stiffness of her uniform in contrast to the pliable softness of his tunic and pants. In a gesture she had done so many times before, but now with a demanding urgency, she ran her hand down his chest. "Why don't you take care of the... technicalities... while I... um... become more suitably attired?"

"Good idea," he said, as he walked to the door. "I'll meet you there in 30 minutes." A wink was his goodbye, as he exited.

He walked across the bridge towards the turbolift, acknowledging the bridge staff as he did so. Behind his salutary remarks to the crew, he smiled at a secret satisfaction.

*That was a pretty good idea I had a year ago. This makes it worth all the daily updates of the entry I dreamed up about "Bathtub Party Day". I knew that sooner or later she would find it; I just had to keep it going with the current day's date, so she would think about the coincidence of such a find when she finally *did* happen upon it. Yep, Chakotay -- every once in a while, you win one!*

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