This is a little bit that I felt like writing. I hope you enjoy it. A friend was sitting next to me while I was typing and she gave me ideas. So, thank you, Elska! This story may not make any sense, but then again, hardly anything that happened at my birthday party made any sense.

Summary: Tom's got a request... (Response to JuPiter Narrative Challenge #141. The one we've had so much fun with lately. (BG))

Rating: PG

"Kiss me."

"Really, Paris, you have got to be kidding me."

"No, Cap... Kathryn. I love you."

Tom had never thought he would see Kathryn Janeway speechless, but her jaw had dropped and her eyes went wide. He would have laughed if he hadn't been so caught up in his feelings for her and in waiting for her answer.

Finally, she found her voice, got her eyes back to what could be called normal, and picked her jaw off the floor. "Tom, I find that a little hard to believe."

"Why? You're the most incredible and beautiful woman I ever met."

Kathryn's face turned quite pink. She couldn't believe what he said, but somehow, she couldn't challenge it. Instead, she asked what came to her mind when he made his... request.

"Have you been drinking?"

He felt insulted at first, but then he remembered that it'd take some time to convince her. "Have I ever lied to you?"

"That doesn't answer my question."

"No, and are you going to answer my question?"

"No. You've always been honest with me. But I find it hard to believe that the most handsome man aboard could possibly want an old, cranky woman when he could have the pick of crew."

"Real beauty is within, and you have it in abundance."

"Oh?" She still wasn't convinced. "And what about on the outside?"

"How about I put it this way. Your eyes are like deep blue pools that are windows into your soul, your hair is a long, shiny auburn color - and I'm betting silky to touch, your skin is a beauiful creamy tone, and your lips are like a rose." He hoped the tenderness in his voice had some positive effect on her.

Indeed, she was blushing again, and felt strangely pleased that she could inspire such words. Still, while she was realizing that he did have strong feelings for her - and that she returned them, she couldn't give into him.

Not yet, at least. She instead rolled her eyes. "Oh, Romeo," she said, sarcastically.

Tom's expression was an odd mix of amusement and mock hurt. "Hey, I played Romeo in a high school play."

Kathryn shook her head. "Why I am not surprised," she muttered, the corners of her lips curling up in amusement at his expression - and to hide her growing desire to do as he asked her to.

"Come on, Kathryn, Aren't you going to kiss me?" Despite his light tone, he was getting a little desperate.

She thought about it for a moment. Then she sighed and walked right up to him. "Okay, just shut up and let me do it."

Tom barely managed to keep his smile small. Kathryn cupped his face with her hands, and he put his hands on her hips - as he had always wanted to - as she pulled his face down to hers.

The moment their lips touched, Tom felt fireworks going off inside him, and Kathryn felt a fire spread through her. Her head started spinning and her knees became weak, so she threw her arms around his neck to maintain her balance. He wrapped her in his arms and pressed himself against her, drawing a warm moan from her - though it was muffled due to her mouth still being locked to his. The kiss grew in intensity, and Kathryn felt like putty, unable to pull away if she had wanted to.

"Captain."

Both literally jumped over a foot away from each other and turned to face the owner of the voice. "Tuvok," Kathryn said in her usual command voice.

Tuvok had both eyebrows raised, obviously surprised by what he had just seen. "I apologize for my interruption. I will speak to you later as you were clearly comfortable a moment ago. Captain. Lieutenant," he said a little faster than usual. He then walked away, and a moment later, Kathryn and Tom heard the doors close.

"Ummm..... Well, he left in a hurry," Tom muttered, not knowing what else to say.

Kathryn's head was still spinning, and she was trying to remain standing on her own. She thought about what to do, and could only think of one thing to do.

"Tom?"

"Yes?"

She walked back up to him and grabbed his shirt. "Kiss me."

THE END

This story has been submitted to the Twelve Moons of JuPiter 2001 contest, and is up for Best Romance story, Best Response to a JuPiter Station Narrative Challenge, and Best Overall. Voting ends December 15!