WHEN THE TIME'S RIGHT, IT'S RIGHT (NC-17 for language) ~*~ An April afternoon, twenty-eight months after Voyager's return. ~*~ B'Elanna led Kathryn and Chakotay out onto the patio of hers and Tom's home and announced, "They're here!" She suppressed a laugh at the expressions on their faces when Tom turned around and approached with a wide grin. He wore a tall paper chef's hat, a red-bibbed apron with large white letters that read 'Kiss The Cook', and thick quilted oven mitts. Tom spread his arms wide to indicate the entire area and proclaimed, "Welcome to the Paris outdoor cafe!" He removed the right mitt to shake Chakotay's hand. "It's great to see you both." After leaning down to kiss Kathryn's cheek he noted their efforts to contain laughter and feigned disappointment. "What? You don't like the outfit?" Kathryn spoke up first. "No, no. It's very...interesting." "Are you preparing food, or handling toxic waste?" Chakotay chimed in. "Ha, ha. Very funny," Tom said as he tugged the mitt back on. When he noticed Chakotay looking curiously at the grill, he jumped at the chance to tell him all about his newest toy. He placed a mitt on his friend's shoulder and tugged him along. "This, my friend, is a charcoal grill. Pretty cool, huh? Wait'll you taste the food off this baby!" The women watched them for a moment, smiling at Tom's enthusiasm and Chakotay's curiosity, then went to prepare beverages. B'Elanna led Kathryn to a partially shaded area near the picnic table where a wheeled cart held an ice bucket and pitchers of tea and lemonade. As Kathryn prepared an iced tea for Chakotay and a lemonade for herself, she felt B'Elanna's eyes on her. Even when she returned from taking the tea to Chakotay, she found herself still being watched. "What?" she asked with a half grin as they went to sit down. "I'm the one that's pregnant, but you're the one glowing." B'Elanna grinned slyly but Kathryn simply ignored the comment and took a long swallow of lemonade. When she spotted Miral playing in her sandbox in the back yard, she seized the chance to change the subject. "She's growing up so fast." "Nice try." "Excuse me?" "Oh, come on, Kathryn," B'Elanna said. She leaned forward, eyes filled with excitement. "What's been going on with you two?" "B'Elanna," Kathryn began seriously with a slow shake of her head. The younger woman would have none of it. "Kathryn Janeway, don't you dare pull that crap on me," she said in a low voice. "I'm your friend and I don't deserve that." With narrowed eyes she added, "Now spill." "We've only been seeing each other a few weeks. There's nothing to tell," Kathryn said dismissively. The look on B'Elanna's face told her she wasn't getting off that easily. Other than her own mother, Kathryn had never met another woman as stubborn, opinionated and forthright as herself until B'Elanna. She often wondered if their similar personalities were what made their bond so strong, their friendship so enjoyable. "Fine," she said with a sigh. "I know when I'm beaten." B'Elanna brightened and leaned back with fingers interlaced across her protruding middle, eyes riveted on her friend. "It has been wonderful," Kathryn said almost dreamily as she turned her adoring gaze on the 'new' man in her life. "To have spent so many years together, it almost seems as if we're just now really getting to know one another." She turned back to B'Elanna. "Do you understand?" "Not exactly," B'Elanna admitted. "We were so very close as friends for such a long time, moving beyond that is a bit frightening. For both of us, I think. We're taking it slowly and," Her eyes returned to Chakotay. "In the process, I've learned he's even more special, more kind and loving that I ever knew, or thought possible." "Just how slowly are we talking?" Kathryn was surprised, yet not, at B'Elanna's point blank question. Her cheeks colored slightly as she lifted the glass to her lips and averted her eyes. From the corner of her vision she saw B'Elanna slowly lean forward, and knew without looking there was a shocked expression on her face. "You're not serious," B'Elanna said flatly. "You two knotheads have loved each other for damn near ten years! This...this slowly shit needs to stop and it needs to stop right now!" "B'Elanna!" Kathryn whispered urgently and glanced at the men to assure herself they had not been overheard. "It's... complicated." "Targ poop!" B'Elanna huffed and flung herself back in the chair. She crossed her arms over her belly and shook her head. "I would've thought you'd learned a lesson." Kathryn bristled. "What is that supposed to mean?" She winced when B'Elanna lurched forward, her eyes wide. "It means it's high time you jump his bones! Fuck his brains out! Screw him till he forgets his name! Do him till he begs for mercy and..." She would've continued the rant but when she saw Kathryn working her mouth in an attempt to keep from laughing, B'Elanna felt laughter bubbling up inside. At the same time they lost all control. Across the patio, Chakotay and Tom turned around at sound of loud laughter from the women. "Uh oh," Tom said gravely. "That's not good." "Maybe we should get over there." "Are you crazy?" Tom cried then turned back to tend the food. "I'm staying right here." Chakotay looked at him, over at the laughing women then back at Tom. Following Tom's example, he turned around to face the grill. As much as it pained him to reveal he didn't have a clue as to what was going on, his curiosity won out. "What's going on, Tom?" Tom wondered how a man nearly twice his own age could possibly be so uneducated in the ways of the opposite sex, and was about to ask just that when he suddenly took pity and let it pass. "They're talking...rather, laughing, at us. We'll just keep a safe distance until it blows over." "Why?" "Why what?" "Why are they laughing at us?" "In my experience, it's usually either something about our anatomy, or.." Tom glanced over his shoulder at the women who were finally settling down. "Or?" Chakotay prompted. "Or...our...performance. You know, in bed." Tom did a double-take of the expression on Chakotay's face and frowned. When Chakotay nervously tugged at an earlobe, Tom's mouth fell open. "No," he whispered and took a step back. "You haven't…?" Chakotay worked up a rather weak scowl. "Drop it, Tom." For the second time in only moments, Tom passed up the chance to say something witty. Instead, he moved closer and spoke with genuine concern. "Is there a problem? Because I'm sure the doc could…" "No, no. Nothing like that," Chakotay said quickly. "It's just...complicated." He glanced over his shoulder. "Look, Tom, I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind." "Oh, but I do mind." "Paris." Tom ignored the warning in Chakotay's voice. Twice he had spared his friend's feelings and he wasn't about to go for three. "God, Chakotay! How long have you loved that woman over there? The one that lights up when she sees you. Hell, she lights up when your name is mentioned and you're not even around!" "Keep your voice down." Tom was about to continue but suddenly changed his mind and held up his mitted hands in surrender. "Fine," he said and busied himself rotating the kabobs. "But I'd sure like to know what the hell you're waiting on." "Waiting on what?" Kathryn asked. Tom froze at the nearness of her voice but Chakotay turned around so quickly, he nearly spilled iced tea on her. "Uh.. making a decision on that job offer," Chakotay answered, wincing inwardly at how lame it sounded even to him. "Yeah," Tom said a little too quickly. He turned around and was surprised to see his wife had accompanied Kathryn on the sneak approach. "I think it's time he became gainfully employed like the rest of us. I mean, that back pay from Starfleet won't last forever." Tom was quite pleased with himself, his quick thinking and convincing performance, and thought he was home free. That was, until B'Elanna narrowed her eyes and slowly crossed her arms. "You two are the most pathetic liars I've ever seen," she said, pretending disgust. "Whoa, whoa," Tom said, pointing a mitt at her. "You started it, over there whispering and laughing at us." In desperation, he looked at Chakotay for support. "Am I right?" At the same time, he and B'Elanna became aware of their guests gazing lovingly at one another, completely oblivious to everyone and everything around them. Tom grinned at his wife who winked at him. "I'll get the salad," she said and turned to go into the house. "Right," he answered. When Chakotay and Kathryn remained locked in their lover's trance, Tom turned back to the grill. Eventually the couple became aware they were more or less alone and grinned in embarrassment. Kathryn held out a hand to Chakotay then led him to a chaise well away from Tom's earshot and tugged him down beside her. "That comment about your being gainfully employed was out of line," she said and held his hand in both hers on her thigh. "I'm very proud of all the volunteer work you've been doing, as well as all the research for your book." Chakotay had not given the comment from Tom a second thought but he was touched that Kathryn thought it might have hurt his feelings. "I appreciate that." "What were you two really talking about?" He almost chuckled at how quickly she'd gone from kindness and understanding to getting straight to the point. "According to Mr. Paris," he answered, "the same as you and B'Elanna." "Oh." Kathryn's smile vanished and she averted her eyes. "I think they're a little too concerned with our...personal life. But, I suppose it's because they care about us." "I don't know about you, but I could do with less of their brand of caring." "It was rather embarrassing, wasn't it?" She glanced up to see him nod. "We're perfectly capable of deciding when the time is right for us." "Exactly." "And when the time comes, it'll be our business." "Agreed." Kathryn gave a firm nod. Matter closed. They watched Miral at play for a while, yet the uncomfortable moment lingered. When Chakotay softly cleared his throat, Kathryn turned to look at him as he spoke hesitantly. "Of course, to come to a decision on when the time is right, we probably should talk about it. Just to be sure we're in agreement, you understand." "Good point." Kathryn released his hand and interlaced her fingers around a knee, shifted her gaze forward and carefully kept her expression serious. "I mean, it's been a very long time coming, and both of us should be absolutely certain we're ready to take such a big step. Intimacy is not something to be taken lightly." She looked at him. "Right?" "Absolutely," he answered with no idea what he'd just agreed to. His eyes were trained on her mouth and his face was drawn with open desire. "Chakotay?" she said almost in a whisper. When he lifted his eyes, she swallowed and asked, "Are you hungry?" "Hu..hungry?" She answered with a sideways nod in the direction of Tom, eyes locked with his. "Not really. You?" Her smile was crooked, eyes mischievous. "I'm afraid my appetite has taken a turn for something more...filling." Chakotay's brows rose in surprise and amusement. "What a coincidence," he said and took her hands in his. "I have just the thing to...satisfy...that particular appetite." He leaned in to kiss her. Just before their lips met, Kathryn said almost in a groan, "I was hoping you'd say that." The kiss was tender and sweet, filled with promises of so much more, and interrupted too soon by B'Elanna's voice. "Don't get too carried away over there. Dinner's almost ready!" "Three minutes at most." Tom chimed over his shoulder. Kathryn grimaced. "Do you think they'll ever forgive us for running out on them?" Chakotay slid an arm around her waist and pulled her flush to his side. "Does it matter?" She considered the question for a moment, totally caught up in his gaze, and then came to her senses. With a playful smack to his thigh, she scolded. "Of course it matters. They're our friends!" "Suggestions?" he rasped. His whole body was at red alert with the knowledge that he and Kathryn were finally going to make love. "What we need is an excuse,” she said, squinting at a spot past his shoulder as she tried to think. "You mean a lie." "Precisely. Any ideas?" "You're asking me? I'm a pathetic liar, remember?" She thought hard, lower lip caught between her teeth. Suddenly she jumped to her feet and tugged him up. "Follow my lead," she whispered. B'Elanna was placing the salad on the table as Kathryn approached with Chakotay in tow. Before Kathryn could speak, B'Elanna snapped her fingers when she remembered something missing from the table and turned to go back into the house. With mouth open poised to speak, Kathryn watched B'Elanna walk away then looked up at Chakotay as if to say 'what now?’ He jerked his head in Tom's direction. She looked at Tom's back as he whistled, happily tending his grill and unaware of their presence. She swallowed hard. She'd been fully prepared to approach B'Elanna, secure in the knowledge that even if she did catch on, B'Elanna would handle it with tact and understanding. Of course, in return for that favor, she would expect all the juicy details at a later date, but Kathryn would've paid the price gladly. Tom, on the other hand, was a horse of a whole different color. Chakotay gave her hand a gently squeeze and she looked up at him. His eyes pleaded with her to get on with it. If she was honest with herself, she was as anxious to escape as he was. She drew a deep breath. "Um...Tom?" "Yeah?" He turned to face them and Kathryn immediately saw it in his eyes. He knew something was up. He took in how closely they stood, their two hands clasped so tightly the fingertips had lost all color. The expression on Chakotay's face reminded him of an old saying about a deer being caught in headlights. The woman before him was no longer Kathryn, his friend, but his former CO trying desperately to keep her mask from slipping. Slowly he crossed his arms with a spatula in one mitt and tongs in the other, and leveled an exaggerated suspicious glare at them. He intended to enjoy this. Kathryn wilted a bit under the glare and avoided his eyes. "I'm so very sorry, but I just remembered..." She stopped when her eyes involuntarily moved to his face and she caught the wide, 'I'm onto you' grin. Her shoulders slumped in defeat and shame, and she lowered her head. "Well, well," he said as he rocked up on the balls of his feet. "It seems Chakotay and I aren't the only pathetic liars around here." Her head snapped up but the sharp reply stalled in her throat when she saw the deep affection now on his face. With a jerk of his head he indicated the rear gate. "Get outta here." A gentle smile lit his boyish features as he added. "I'll make your excuses to the wife." Kathryn reached up to pat his cheek but before her hand could make contact, she was yanked away by Chakotay already making for the gate. Tom watched as she was pulled along by a man intent on his mission, her feet barely keeping up. Just before she disappeared through the gate Chakotay had flung open, she called back, "I owe you one, Tom!" He laughed and shook his head as he turned back to the food and muttered, "Looks like leftover kabobs for breakfast." -- Camryn, August 2006 Flip back to the Poems & Prose Index page!