CRUNCH TIME (PG-13) by Camryn, 8/07 Kathryn slipped unnoticed into the darkened auditorium through a rear door and took one of the few empty seats in the back. The student's attention was focused on the enthralling visuals on the screen down front, while hers was held by the handsome professor. He stood straight and tall to the right of the podium with hands clasped behind him with his eyes affixed to a large image of a Kazon warrior. His genuine enthusiasm for the presentation was evident on his face, and in his sonorous voice which carried easily throughout the theater. It was easy to see why his classes were highly sought after and filled up so quickly. He had an intrinsic ability to make his students feel as if they had experienced the Delta Quadrant. It was not the first time Kathryn had dropped by to sit in on one of his classes. She always chose a day when there would be a visual presentation, and she could slip in and out under cover of darkness without disrupting the class. This day, however, she had a different plan. Kathryn Janeway had finally made up her mind. She had waited long enough and it was time to get this show on the road. His relationship with Seven had ended before Voyager's engines had cooled, and Kathryn felt he'd had ample time to recover. As far as she'd been able to tell he'd never seemed broken up about the end of the relationship in the first place. The longer he remained unattached, the more likely she was to lose her chance. She wasn't about to let that happen. Subtle and not so subtle hints on her part had thus far gone unnoticed by him, and it occurred that perhaps the blatant flirting she had engaged in during their journey home had led him to believe it was merely a part of her personality. Then again, maybe Chakotay was waiting for her to make the first real move. Either way, today the record would be set straight once and for all, damn it. Neither of them were getting any younger and time was wasting. When the lights came up, Kathryn ducked behind the students seated in front of her while Chakotay concluded the presentation and gave homework assignments. As the class stood to leave, she heard his communicator chirp and smiled to herself. B'Elanna was right on time. Chakotay left through a side door where B'Elanna would occupy him for a few minutes while the auditorium emptied. After that, it was all up to Kathryn. Crunch time. When the last student had gone, Kathryn straightened her uniform and smoothed her hair. One hand settled on her middle and she realized she had butterflies. That hadn't happened since she was a cadet. The side door opened admitting Chakotay. He walked to the podium to collect his things and did a double-take when he spotted the lone occupant high in the back row. His initial look of surprise was quickly replaced with a wide, dimpled grin. "Class is over, Miss Janeway," he said leaning his forearms on the podium. "Did you have a question for me?" "As a matter of fact, I do," she answered while maintaining a serious expression as she crossed her ankles on the back of the seat in front of her. "Several actually. If you have the time?" He answered with a deep nod and managed to produce an almost serious expression. "Certainly." "First question. Are you free for dinner, professor?" She saw the surprise and pleasure flash across his face before he remembered the game and sobered. "Well, yes, I am." "But?" Kathryn prompted. "It's just that there are rules against dating students." He tilted his head forward a bit and looked up from beneath lowered brows. "You understand." The message wasn't lost on Kathryn. She guessed she had that coming. "Better than anyone." She waved two fingers in the direction of the podium. "Fortunately, you won't find my name on the roll so there's no problem. So, I'll ask again. Are you free for dinner?" "You're asking me for a date?" "Are you free, or not?" "Yes, I'm free. Do we have a date?" "Not so fast," Kathryn said and rubbed her chin. "I have more questions." "Proceed." "Are you currently...involved with someone?" Kathryn already knew the answer, thanks to her friend and accomplice, B'Elanna. Chakotay's brows rose in genuine surprise. "That's rather personal, don't you think?" "Yes. Yes, it is. But, you see, I have to be sure. It would be in extremely bad taste to proposition a man who's already involved." She delighted in his reaction to the word 'proposition' but pretended not to notice. Chakotay scrubbed away the escaped grin then folded his arms high on his chest. "I am currently uninvolved." "Very good." "Is this where the proposition comes in?" "And here I thought patience was one of your strongest qualities." "More questions, huh?" "One or two." "I'm listening." Kathryn pursed her lips and squinted as if in thought and lowered her feet to the floor, crossing her arms on the back of the seat instead. "What do you think of Italian food?" "I'm all for it." "Good. That leaves just one last question." "Fire away." Kathryn smiled crookedly and lowered her chin to rest on her arms. "What would you like for breakfast?" ~ end ~ Flip back to the Poems & Prose Index page!