Short and cute.  Dedicated to the inhabitants of my J/C lists and groups: JetC 22, the JC Cafe, the JC Fanfic Club, the Streaking Talaxian and others.  Oh, and especially dedicated to Coral and Becky: this is a Naked Talaxian Free Zone.

***

Everyone agreed it was the dimples.

It was known throughout Starfleet Academy that Captain Chakotay's Exo-Anthropology class was on of the most interesting, rewarding classes offered at Starfleet Academy.  It was also one of the hardest, surpassed only by Admiral Paris's notorious survival course.  However, surprisingly few cadets dropped out, even after the terrifying mid-term exams.

All the girls -- and quite a few boys -- agreed it was the captain's dimples, flashing here and there as he told an anecdote or heard an answer that pleased him.  The amount of cadets with poorly concealed crushes was becoming a running joke among the staff, too, especially after Angelica Stewart's public announcement of her desire to have his child.  Chakotay's own thoughts were unknown; he never even looked at a cadet, male or female, with anything more than professional interest.

"A tragic love affair," suggested Bel Leah in the rec room one evening.  The half-Bajoran was brushing out her long chestnut hair and gossiping.

"Nah, he's sleeping with Annika Hansen," guessed Fina Qing.

"He is not!" objected Leah.  "She's involved with the holographic doctor from Voyager.  I thought everyone knew that."

The argument continued until the early hours of the morning.

Some months later, a hush went though the class as a door opened.  Leah, absorbed in her notetaking, didn't look up until she heard Chakotay stop speaking.

Janeway.

The legendary captain of Voyager, now a Federation Diplomat, had stepped into the lecture hall.  Leah assumed she had a message for Chakotay, but instead she just slipped into a chair at the back.

Leah turned back to the front just in time to see Chakotay flash his dimples at Janeway, and then continue the class.

***

Kathryn hung back as the cadets -- so young, amazingly young -- left the lecture hall.  Then she made her way down to the front, where Chakotay waited for her.  He enveloped her in a warm hug and they exchanged a series of affectionate, passionate kisses.

"You're back early," he murmured.

"I heard all these rumours," she whispered as she nuzzled his neck, revelling in the luxury of contact.  "Is it true that you have a fan club?  Little groups of teenaged cadets giggling about how cute you are?"

She smiled when she saw the faint blush on his cheeks.  So attractive.  "I think it's just my dimples," he replied.

"Oh no, I think it's the whole package."  She moved away and surveyed him happily.  Damn he looked good.  Maybe she should stay on Earth just so she could admire him every day.  She pulled him close for another passionate kiss.

"Chakotay," she said as she nibbled on his earlobe, "these little groups..."

"Hmm?"

"D'you think they'd let me join?"

END

Questions, comments, pictures of The Dimples: elizabeth_barr@yahoo.com.au

Copyright © 2000 Elizabeth M. Barr

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