Christina
Oct 1999
I haven't readpart one yet!
Kathryn fiddled at a control button, her attention not on her surroundings. She knew she'd be better off in her ready room, where she might actually get some work done.
"So," Tom said just as she'd decided to stand. "Have you chosen your dress yet."
She sighed. That damn ball was in less than two days, and no she hadn't. "I'm going to spend the evening with a book..."
"You can't," Tom said quickly--too quickly, she wondered. "It would disappoint the crew." He turned and tossed her a padd, which she caught. She read it quickly and tried not to blush. The dress was not one a Starfleet captain wore in public. At least she didn't. She didn't wear it in private either. Though the thought of Chakotay's reaction...
She banished that thought quickly--he'd all ready expressed his disinterest anyway. And just where was her First Officer today?
"Well?" Tom asked.
"I would prefer something a little less...or rather more..."
Tom chuckled. "B'Elanna was right. Look at the third one." She did. It was still low-cut, but it was more reasonable than the first one.
Well, so much for not attending. If she didn't go, Seven would probably not go, and she wanted Seven to go. She glared at the padd. Well, if she had to.
Tom chuckled quietly. "What's so funny Ensign?"
"Many things, but as Commander Tuvok would say, this is not the time or place..."
Her glare silenced him. It was his damn fault that they were having this damn party anyway.
"Captain," Harry said. "We're receiving a transmission from the Rillaran colony of Paor Prime."
"On screen." This was the last Rillaran colony they would pass. Two days of final stocking, repairs, diplomacy, then that damn party.
After that a week on their own before they left Rillaran space. Ambassador Delma had assured her that the Boregians were a warrior race with honor. They would honor the Rillaran guarantee of safe passage unless they felt Voyager had slighted them in some way. Delma had then given her a detailed database on Boregian customs and protocols. Very complicated and stilted, but she'd dealt with worse. She had decided that contact would kept at the bare minimum.
She stood as the Rillaran governor appeared on the screen. "I'm Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. "Who?" he said as he straightened his flowing chartreuse cape.
"Voyager, the Rillaran Assembly should have informed you..."
"I'm sorry, Captain, but we've not had any word from the Rillaran Assembly for several months. Not since we chose to align ourselves with the Boregian Colonial Council. However, if you would send down a party, I'm sure we can arrange an amicable solution."
No one heard her swear, which was probably just as well, considering. She agreed to his request and assigned Commander Chakotay and Neelix to lead the away-team.
Ten minutes later she canceled the party.
Commander Chakotay faced the Boregian leader and bowed. He hoped he'd read the greeting movements correctly. He frowned. The Boregian leader's eyes narrowed.
"Our Doctor will run a complete medical scan on each of you." The leader glanced at the five team members then at their doctor. At least Chakotay guessed he was the doctor.
"That is acceptable." Chakotay shrugged slightly as he quietly informed the team members. Harry giggled slightly at the thought of another alien doctor examining him. Susan grinned. "Well," she said. "I'm as healthy as a targ after..." This caused the entire group to laugh. The Doctor was expanding his language into rather bad usage of metaphors.
"Remind me," Harry added, "To have B'Elanna adjust the Doc's language algorithms. And I thought a bear after meeting a grabel was bad."
"Done," Chakotay said. He turned back to the Boregian leader. "I'll go first."
The leader ran his left hand over his right arm. It meant a negative, according to the Rillarans anyway. "We have completed the test. She must be returned to your ship." He indicated Susan Nicolleti. "She carries a damaging parasite. We have no wish to have such a dangerous contaminate on our world."
"Parasite?" Susan looked really concerned as she placed a hand on her belly. "The Doc said I was fine."
Chakotay frowned slightly. "May I see?" The leader handed him his scanner. Chakotay realized the data would be meaningless, it was in Boregian. "Our own doctor has pronounced her healthy. And she has regular examinations."
"He is mistaken," The Boregian doctor spoke. "There is a well developed parasite near what looks to be her digestive system..."
He didn't finish, because Susan started to laugh. "He means the baby!" She choked out between her increasing laughter.
"Baby?" The doctor looked confused. "She knows about this parasite and no one does anything?"
"It isn't a parasite...It's a baby..." Chakotay frowned. He was here to negotiate trade and passage rights, not explain human reproduction. "It's part of our reproductive process."
Now all the Boregian's looked confused. The leader most of all. "Yet the rest of you don't have one?" Harry was trying really hard not to laugh.
"No. She's the only female in the group."
"And your other females also have one?"
"No..." Chakotay glanced at the others. Harry and Susan were close to useless. The others shrugged and looked away.
Tom whispered, "That's why you're paid the big bucks, commander...sir."
"Thanks," he glared back then turned to answer the Boregian. "No, just three do."
The Boregians glanced at each other then started to talk. Their doctor was adamant about sending Susan back to the ship. He didn't seem convinced. Chakotay almost laughed at the doctor's next suggestion that all the females not be allowed to leave the ship during the duration of their passage and that contact between these strange humans and honorable Boregian females be avoided.
After three minutes of discussion, the Boregian leader turned to Chakotay. "You have our permission to pass through our territory--but we ask that you not initiate communication with any of our colonies or ships. Your kind has some very disturbing practices and we don't wish to contaminate our world with them." The Boregian bowed. "Have a pleasant flight."
Tom shook his head as he stepped next to the commander. "Have fun explaining this one to the captain."
Chakotay rolled his eyes. "Maybe I'll let you explain it. That could be fun to watch."
"Hey Captain," Tom said as Chakotay informed Voyager they were ready to beam up. "The Boregians don't like our sexual practices and demanded a demonstrat..."
"I'll explain it," Chakotay said just as he felt the sensation of the transporter. Somehow.
Chakotay looked up as the door slid open and knew his time had come. "Good morning, Captain." She just placed her hands on her hips and stared at him. "About yesterday, I meant to tell you about what happened..."
"With the Boregians...I was expecting your report a little earlier." She was right, it should have been turned in almost 12 hours ago.
"Well, it's just I couldn't find the right way of explaining..." She looked at him curiously.
"Well, exact quotes are always good. I'll take an oral report now, Commander." He knew he was in trouble now, just from her tone.
"Well, we beamed down, met the Boregian delegation. They wanted to do a medical scan, we agreed and then they announced that Ensign Nicolleti had a parasite."
Her eyes opened wide. "Is she all right? Will it harm her baby?"
Chakotay chuckled. "It was the baby."
"What? Oh..." She laughed. "But I don't understand why this led to this embargo...Maybe if I talked to them."
"Umm. Kathryn...Captain. They want no contact with any of the females on this ship. Something to do with our mating rituals."
"I'm lost. The Rillarans were not so inclined. Doc says that the Rillarans and Boregians are biologically similar..."
"But even he doesn't know how they reproduce. Apparently they are afraid that contact with Voyager will give honorable Boregian women..."
"Really." Chakotay decided it was for the best that she hadn't been on the away team mission. It might have been too interesting. "Are you sure it wasn't something someone did?"
"Captain, the away-team acted in accordance with all Starfleet rules and protocols when in a first contact situation."
"It makes no sense."
"I never said it did. They do not wish for us to contaminate their species--whether that meant by giving them parasites (here he couldn't control his chuckle) or ideas, I don't know."
"It's not funny." She was glaring at him now.
"Actually, it is. Starfleet has a long history of sexual contact with aliens...Kirk, Riker..."
"That's all commander, thank-you for your report."She left very quickly. He returned to finishing the report.
"Hell," he muttered. She was probably going to talk to Tom.
"Then he grabbed her and pushed her on..." Tom stopped suddenly at B'Elanna's cough and looked up. "Good morning, Captain."
"Lieutenant, Ensign." She looked around the dining table at the small crowd Tom's story had drawn. The others quickly left.
B'Elanna kissed him on top of his head, "You're in trouble now," she whispered, then almost sprinted out the door.
Janeway glared at him as she sat down. "Well, ensign?"
Tom smiled that *who me smile.* "I hope you're here to give last minute approval for the party?"
"Actually, the Boregians."
"Ah...I was afraid of that. They don't like our sexual practices?" Tom sure looked like that he'd rather not continue with the conversation. She decided to find out exactly what happened.
"So Commander Chakotay says. I want your version."
Tom grinned. "Well, the Boregian leader was concerned we were bringing in dangerous pathogens, so he ordered us all scanned. Their doctor thought Susan's baby was a large parasite."
"I know all that. I just can't believe that this caused them to cut off almost all contact."
"Just with the women," Tom smirked. "Probably including you...Captain."
"I know. But why?"
"I think because the males can place these parasites into..."
"Then why not ignore the men?"
Tom shrugged. "The women are...um...willing? Captain, the party?"
"Uhh. Sure..."
"Great, thanks, Captain. We'll see you tonight. Bring a date...Commander Chakotay needs one."
She turned, glared at him, then shrugged. "Ensign, the Commander can go with anyone he wants."
Tom must have been in a suicide mindset, she decided. For he actually said, "He'd rather go with you..."
This brought back memories of his kiss and his words. She whispered, then hoped Tom didn't hear her. "No, he wouldn't."
"Yes, he would. Wanna bet?"
She reacted slightly. "Bet?"
"Yes, let's see. If he does want to accompany you," Tom started to speak very fast. "Kiss him. If he doesn't, I'll give you two weeks of replicator rations."
That was a lot of coffee. She nodded. Tom stood suddenly. "Excuse me Captain, but I have a party to finish. See you tonight." Then he ran out the mess hall. "And don't forget our wager!" The door closed behind him.
Chakotay looked up as his office door slid opened. As he stood to greet his guest several padds went crashing to the floor. "Captain," he managed to say as he dove after the wayward items.
"Commander."
"I heard Tom announce the party was on. I think it will be good for the crew."
"I agree. I was umm...Well..." She actually looked at a loss for words. This was unusual. He grinned, to help her feel more comfortable. Oddly it had just the opposite effect.
"Captain, is everything okay?"
"Yea, fine. I was just wondering...well, were you going?"
"I was planning to."
Before he could ask why, the door slid open again. So much for an open-door policy he sighed as he greeted his new visitor. "Susan?"
"Hi, did you forget our date. Oh, hi captain. I can come back when it's more convenient."
"Now is fine," Kathryn said. "I was leaving anyway. "Enjoy the party."
"I plan to." Susan looked at Janeway then Chakotay. "I'm interrupting." Susan started to hand him a padd but froze as the captain left without saying anything.
Chakotay wondered why Susan was glaring at him.
Janeway clutched her coffee cup and stared at it. Damn him anyway. Damn both of them. How the Hell had she agreed to Tom's bet anyway. An alien--she had to have been possessed by an alien when she'd agreed. It was the only rational explanation.
No, Tom would never buy that. There were several legitimate options for getting out of the bet--but right now all that coffee--and a couple of chocolate anythings sounded very good and Tom's replicator rations would more than cover her wants...
With one exception, it looked like Chakotay had moved on, except she thought hadn't Susan been involved with Terrence Hall from security? Well, she didn't participate in the gossip of the ship. Chakotay would make a good father.
She picked up a padd with an angry reprimand to herself about thinking too much about that subject. She read two sentences before the ready-room chimes sounded.
"Come in," she didn't succeed in keeping her ire out of her voice.
"Captain," Tom said as jauntily strolled in, hands in his pockets. Looking very good in his black tuxedo. "The party starts in five minutes."
"I'm too busy. Several last minute things. And I'd like those replicator rations transfered by tomorrow."
Tom's eyes opened wide. "Huh? It's only been half an hour since we made the wager..." She glared at him, causing him to squirm. "I see..." He squared his shoulders. "Permission to leave?"
"Granted." She took another sip, then decided to finish the reports in her quarters.
Susan placed her hands on Chakotay's desk and leaned over. "What the Hell was that about?"
Chakotay looked puzzled, she had to wonder if he was acting or really was that dense. Sometimes when it came to the captain it was hard to tell.
"What?"
"The captain. I don't know what I interrupted, but perhaps it was just as well. You hurt her."
"I...I did?" He looked shocked, even horrified. "I have no idea why."
"What were you talking about when I arrived?"
"The party."
Susan smiled. "Yes, we've all heard it's on again. Terry and I will make our announcement tonight. What about the party?"
"She just mentioned it was on..."
"You know, Commander, are you really this clueless about her? Who is she going with?"
"She probably isn't going."
"Ahh. And who are you going with?" She straightened with a smile. Her hand reached for her phaser. "Is it mutiny if I drag you through the corridors of this ship until we find her and you apologize?"
"Yes, it is."
"Good. I'm sure I can get some help. Shall we go." Her fingers touched her weapon, but she didn't remove it.
"Susan this is ridiculous."
"So's whatever game you've been playing for the past few weeks. Don't think we haven't noticed. It's time for the game to end." Her smile grew. "Bitchy pregnant women are not to be ignored. Move...Or I'll find a half-Klingon lieutenant with a Bat'leth."
Chakotay stood quickly, his hands up in surrender. "All right, I'm moving."
Susan wondered what the Hell she was doing, but it was fun.
"Hey, Suz, the party's this way." She turned and waved at Harry.
"I know, Harry, but right now I'm taking Chakotay to find the Captain."
"Oh..." Harry started to tail along.
"Is there a problem, Commander?" Another voice said as they waited for the lift.
"No, Tuvok. They're just escorting me to see the Captain." Tuvok raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry then Susan.
"An excellent suggestion." The turbo-lift doors opened. The Doctor leapt on just after Harry.
"Hey, did I hear correctly?" They all nodded. "It's about time." Susan ordered the lift to the appropriate deck. Chakotay followed by Susan, Harry, then Doc sauntered down the corridor. She decided it was probably fortunate that Tuvok had decided not to accompany them.
B'Elanna and Tom were coming toward them. Susan greeted them politely, admiring B'Elanna's low cut white dress.
"You looking for the captain?" Tom asked with a sly grin. "Good, I didn't want...I believe she's in her quarters." He took B'Elanna's elbow. "She's not planning to go to the party."
"See," Chakotay said in what was probably one last attempt to get out of what was becoming a major embarrassment.
"And we know why." Susan poked him slightly. "Move..."
By the time they'd reached the captain's quarters, there were ten people in formation. Susan rang the chimes. When the door opened, Chakotay reluctantly entered. Most of the crowd left at that point. Only she, Tom, and B'Elanna remained. Tom looked at B'Elanna.
"I'm not giving up two weeks of replicator rations without a fight." He ripped open the controls and fiddled witht he wiring. There was a faint ding. "That should do it."
Susan stared at him. "Tom!" B'Elanna just laughed.
"We'd better be leaving, we shouldn't be late for the party," Tom said with a jaunty shrug.
"They'll be late..."
"I sure hope so." Tom winked.
"Hey," Jenny called out as Tom, Susan, and B'Elanna entered. "Took you long enough. What's up."
The holodeck quited down as Tom laughed. "Well, they're locked in her quarters."
"Oh my god," someone shouted. "She'll kill him...Then you..."
"Maybe," Tom said as he grabbed a drink from a passing tray. "Here's to Voyager. And I believe now is a good time for all the various announcements."
"We should wait for the Captain and Commander," Terry said as he stepped forward. Susan ran her hand through his brown hair.
"They probably won't be coming," she said. "Tom's right. We're first. Terry and I are expecting..."
"Tell us something we don't know!" Harry yelled.
"Well," Susan said. "Harry has a mole on his..."
"Hey, I meant..." Harry took another sip of his drink.
"I know," Susan continued with a big grin. "Let's see..."
Tom interrupted, "I didn't know Harry has a mole." There were some more catcalls from the crew and Harry took three sips of his drink. Susan opted to be kind.
"We aren't alone, I believe the others should make their announcements now too."
Naomi's smile grew bigger as she stood by her mother's side. "I'm not going to be the only kid anymore?"
Neelix patted her head. "It looks like you will have company. You get to be an older sister. On Talaxia, that's an extremely important position."
"Really? More important that Captain's aide..." The kid looked around. "I don't understand why she isn't here. She told me she would drop by."
Samantha blushed slightly. "It's...umm...well...We hope she and Commander Chakotay, well..."
"Oh," the little girl said matter of factly. "The Doctor told me all about that..."
"He did???" Susan realized that the Doctor may have been as good as dead.
"Yes, the never ending reports, the fact she needs to relax more. Is Commander Chakotay helping her relax?"
The party goers laughed. "Something like that," Tom said, then whispered to B'Elanna, "We hope."
"Definitely," the half-Klingon added as the other couples stepped forward to make their formal announcement.
"Well?" Harry asked Tom several days later. Tom shrugged.
"I have no idea. It's been status quo on the bridge. Though, maybe she's a little bit more relaxed."
"Oh. I hate the night shift, I miss all the action. There's nothing to indicate if they...well, you know."
"Not a thing," Tom answered. "And the internal-sensors in that section *just* happened to be off-line that night."
"That would say a lot..."
Tom shook his head. "Not really, the repair teams found a burnt out junction."
"Hmmm." Harry yawned several times. "Nothing then."
"Unfortunately. There's a lot riding on this time..."
"Your betting pool?" Harry stirred his whatever-the-lavender-stuff-in his bowl was, before taking another bite. It wasn't bad--there was just something about lavender food.
"Mine, a couple of others. It's been pretty active the past few weeks. Been a while..."
Harry took another bite as he shook his head. "He was definitely trying something."
"Oh, I know he was. My guess is he succeeded."
"Your guess does not the betting pool settle...And I have a lot riding on it." Harry narrowed his eyes and glared at Tom. "Think either one of them..."
"No, I don't think so." Tom stared at Harry, before continuing with his morning gruel. Harry yawned again. "Is the big chair worth the hours?"
"What hours?" Harry asked. "It's always night out here. I just spent the day with Naomi yesterday. She wore me out."
"I see." Tom smiled. "Speak of the devil..." A laugh echoed through the mess hall as the Captain entered.
"Good morning, Captain," Neelix said as he handed her a cup. "May I say you look relaxed this morning. Sleep well?"
Tom laughed quietly, Harry looked shocked. "Don't tell me," Harry said, "but Neelix has a bet too?"
"Nah," Tom said in a very soft voice, "It's just as Chief Morale Officer he feels it is his duty to find out..."
"Oh..." They both studied their commanding officer for several minutes, before they returned to their conversation. Janeway didn't seem to notice all they eyes on her, but Tom did.
"I'd say yes," Harry said.
"Harry, Harry, Harry. Appearances can be deceiving, but I'd have to agree with her." They stopped speaking as a shadow passed. It was Susan.
"Hey, she's in a good mood this morning."
"Yes, she is. Should be a good day," Tom agreed. "As long as the Boregians don't make any visits." The other two frowned. "Hey, maybe they'll stop by for a social chat on the morals of sexual deviation?"
The frowns disappeared in a round of laughter. So much so that Tom had to repeat his joke to the couple at the table next door. No one noticed the Captain look at them with a strange look on her face.
Kathryn Janeway indulged herself. A little holodeck time and a bath. Not just any bath--the ultimate one, a volcanic heated mudhole, temperature properly controlled of course. She slipped off her robe and stepped into the glorious mud. This was a rare treat. In fact this was the first time she'd run the program since taking command of Voyager.
She sighed as she leaned back against a smoothed rock and closed her eyes. She smiled at the images as she remembered a bare three days earlier. Chakotay had arrived and promptly the doors had failed to work. It didn't take either one more than a second to understand what had happened and why. They'd quickly rigged for the internal sensors in her quarters and surrounding section to malfunction. There were advantages to being Captain after all.
Her smile grew as she remembered the rest of that evening. His apology for kissing her earlier--her reply that since it was a one time thing...
He'd kissed her again at that point, this time neither one...
The klaxons started to blare. She stood quickly and ordered the program ended, which fortunately took the mud away too. She dressed quickly in the sweats she'd worn that evening and rushed out the door as she contacted the bridge.
"Captain, we're being hailed by a lone Boregian vessel," Commander Tuvok's voice said with stoic calmness.
"One vessel? Is it armed?"
"No, Captain. It is apparently a small one person transport. The pilot is asking to speak with you."
"Me?" The Boregians had specifically said that none of their species was to interact with any of the female humans. She announced her destination to the lift, then told Tuvok she was on her way.
"Unidentified Boregian vessel, I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager. Please..."
A Boregian female dressed in chartreuse appeared. Kathryn noticed Neelix admire the color as she continued the conversation. "You are aware of the ban place upon us..."
"Of course I am," the Boregian said. "I'm Erwo. And may I say it's a *pleasure* to meet you. I'd like to come aboard. I'm on a fact finding mission."
Janeway glanced at Tuvok, who raised an eyebrow. "Fact finding?"
"Yes, the rumors are rampant that we are denied access to your ship, because you have disturbing sexual practices."
Tom tittered from the helm, but somehow Janeway managed to keep a straight face (and was thankful that her First Officer was not present). "I...um...Why does this intrigue you?"
"Because it intrigues my clientele." Tom choked on something, as did several others on the bridge. Tuvok looked calm--but even Neelix looked a little flustered.
"Captain," Harry gasped as he too tried not to laugh. "There is increased tachyion emissions two kilometers off our port." The image switched to the sudden appearance of six Boregian warships.
"I think the vice squad has arrived," Tom muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear. TBC
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