Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager™© is the registered trademark and sole property of Paramount Pictures. This story is non-commercial and for enjoyment only. No copyright infringement is intended.

20010319

AUTHOR: JinnyR

EMAIL: jrossca@sympatico.ca

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: When Kathryn and Chakotay become matchmakers, all bets are off!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fic is the result of a challenge from Jade -- make Kathryn and Chakotay fall in love with each other when they try their hands at matchmaking.

First Contact

How did she get herself into messes like this? Her heart was thumping, her breathing couldn’t keep up with her need for oxygen, and her left-sided brain was screaming at her.

Kathryn Janeway paced her quarters. If she was any dumber she’d be a full admiral, but maybe being stuck in the DQ had hastened her ascent. Descent? She shook her head sharply. Who cared? Dumb was dumb. What galled her most was realising that she really enjoyed this state of dumbness. If dumb meant still feeling his breath and kisses on her body long after he was gone, then she could handle dumb. But how long would it be before she wanted him to drive her to insanity? She groaned.

Her First Officer was drop dead gorgeous and she’d finally cracked, and all because of a stupid bet. Come to think of it, he wasn’t going to win any genius awards himself. He’d started this.

The messhall was in full swing for the supper hour. Even people not on an official meal break had joined their friends who were and there was a happy din in the room. It did not subside with the entrance of Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay.

"Now this is what I like to hear," smiled Kathryn. "This sounds like a happy crew, doesn’t it Chakotay?"

"Yes, and thank goodness," he smiled back. "There were a few times in the last month when I thought I’d never hear it again, but I think we’re finally back to normal."

They selected their food and found their usual table in the corner before they continued.

"Actually, Chakotay, I was going to talk to you about that. I think this past month has really driven home a few hard facts to some people and I was wondering if you’ve heard about one in particular. Directly, I mean, but I don’t expect you to betray a confidence."

"What is it, Kathryn?" Chakotay’s quiet voice mirrored his concern for the people onboard Voyager.

She nodded inconspicuously towards a table where Samantha Wildman was quietly eating with Naomi. Sam was smiling at something Naomi had just said, but it didn’t take a Betazoid to see that the smile did not reach her eyes.

"Sam." They both said the name quietly in unison and looked at each other. And, as the messhall doors opened to admit someone they both watched that person enter the room and did it again.

"Joe."

"No, Kathryn, I haven’t heard anything officially about or from them, but that doesn’t really surprise me. I realise we’ve been out here for over four years, but these are two good people and they’re both married with children. No matter what the attraction, I think doing anything about it would be extremely difficult for both of them."

"I know," she sighed, "but I can’t help feeling so sorry for them. I guess it’s because I don’t know their spouses or any of Joe’s kids, while at the same time I know their situation here on Voyager. And, even if it makes me a terrible person, I do wish they could find happiness here with each other. Even Naomi loves him." They watched as Joe brought his tray to the Wildman Women’s table and saw his smile as they welcomed him.

"I hardly think that makes you morally corrupt, Kathryn. You sound more like a concerned mother to me than anything else. ‘Crew before self’ has been your motto for as long as I’ve known you."

"Mother!" she snorted. Then she paused. "Well, maybe a bit. I was certainly only a Captain when this voyage began but in four years I have come to think of this crew as my family." She looked up at Chakotay and laughed. "That makes you the Father. Your part and my part made this crew."

He grinned as he buttered his bread and said, "You’d better watch how you phrase things, Kathryn. You know that Tom’s pools make book on the two of us becoming an item, and I always get odd looks whenever we schedule a working meal in one of our quarters. Over-hearing a chance remark like that could send the odds sky high and then I’d be tempted to place a bet and confirm the lie myself."

She grinned back at him. "Well, if it was a good enough haul I think I’d join you.  I don’t know where all my rations go; I’m always scrambling during the last week of the month."  She paused, "Chakotay, do you think I should acknowledge that I know about Tom’s pools and discipline him?"

"No. You keep out of it – I keep my eye on the situation and it’s under control. The crew needs something like this, even if it does confirm that protocol isn’t a concept Tom can actually grasp." He laughed. "Even after all the years that he has served under you!"

"Hell, Tom Paris can barely grasp procedure!" she joined in his laughter. "But I get your meaning, Chakotay, and I’ll watch my mouth. But let me know if there’s an easy way we can score some rations without blowing our cover." She quieted suddenly and whispered, "And here comes couple number two, even as we speak."

Chakotay surreptitiously watched as Harry and Seven entered the messhall. He shook his head.

"No, this time you’re just plain crazy. What in the world makes you think that those two have anything going for each other in the romance department? That’s just beyond imagination."

"You think? I’ll bet you a week’s replicator rations that our Harry has plenty of imagination when it comes to Seven."

"That’s a sucker bet, Kathryn, and you should be ashamed of yourself. Most of the men on board have plenty of imagination when it comes to our Borg -- and probably some of the women, too. But, I’ll make another bet and you can take it or leave it. And put your eyebrow down, I swear she never once entered my mind."

"Right," she grinned.  "If you say so, Chakotay. Anyway, what’s your bet?"

"I’ll bet you that we could match up Joe and Sam faster than we could match up Harry and Seven."

Kathryn laughed. "Commander, are you actually suggesting that the Executive staff of this ship actively and purposely conceive and act on a match-making scheme involving two unattached couples under their command? With the express purpose of seeing which couple actually mates first?"

"Well, that "mating" remark brings to mind animals in a zoo, but basically you’ve got it. Are you on?"

Kathryn took a few spoonfuls of her pudding before answering. Without doubt it was a ridiculous suggestion, not to mention highly inappropriate. But while Voyager was a proudly Starfleet vessel, the crew had adapted a unique dynamic for living on it. Like she had said before, this was more like a family business than just a professional working crew. She looked up and met Chakotay’s eyes.

"You’re on -- but a few conditions must be met. First, we put the same amount of effort into the matching of both our couples, I don’t want any favourtism shown." He nodded his acceptance. "Second, ultimately we accept the decisions made by our four potential lovers, without them EVER knowing we even thought of such a unprofessional activity." He nodded again. "And third, I want two weeks’ worth of your rations when I win!" He laughed.

"Oh, Kathryn, you are so on. And it’ll be nice to finally get back some of those rations you’ve stolen from me over the years. And for spirit's sake, put down that damned eyebrow, you’re beginning to look like Tuvok!"

He held out his hand and they formally shook. From across the room Tom watched the ritual with interest and then turned to B’Elanna.

"I think something’s up with our two senior officers, Be. I wonder if I should call a group meeting and put another J/C wager on the books. Might be interesting -- and profitable."

Kathryn’s doors slid open at her command and she and Chakotay looked at each other. They both burst out laughing.

"Great minds think alike," they said in unison and then stopped, startled.

"We have to stop doing this!" Again they spoke together and laughed. Kathryn motioned him in with her head and then they stood appreciating each other. Chakotay was holding a bottle of wine in one hand and two wineglasses in the other. Kathryn was holding two full glasses of wine and the open bottle sat on the coffee table.

"You go first, Chakotay. This is not a habit I want to develop – can’t you just see this act on the bridge?"

"Well, if we go looking like this – yes."

They both smiled again. They each wore jeans, a "Voyager Olympics" tee shirt, and had left their feet bare. This meeting was going from the ridiculous to the bizarre very quickly but their eyes still held and their smiles still shone. Kathryn was the first to speak.

"Well, let’s not just stand around, come in and let’s get comfortable. We have some serious planning to do."

As they settled at each end of the couch, Chakotay remarked, "I sure hope you have some ideas, Kathryn, because I’m completely blank. I’ve never acted as a matchmaker before in my life."

"This was your idea, mister, and I expect your full participation. And what make you think I’ve ever done anything like this before?"

"It just seems like a woman thing to do." He paused, "and there goes that eyebrow again. Cut it out!" She glared at him, then took a sip of wine.

"Okay, I’ll start. We have to think of ways to bring our couples together in an intimate environment, but it has to be done so that it forces them to acknowledge their feelings for one another. What do you do when you want a woman to notice you in a romantic way?"

"Well, I guess it depends on the woman. I want her to be comfortable with me and then when she is I might create situations that would get me into her personal space to see how she reacts. I want to touch her, smell her perfume, and feel her breath – and I want to know that she feels the same about me." Chakotay rose from his seat and sat next to her with his arm stretched out behind her on the back of the couch. "Like this." He leaned toward the coffee table to pick up his wineglass and, in doing so his arm came into contact with Kathryn’s neck and shoulders while his thigh brushed up again hers. When he sat back his arm and leg did not move away. "But how do we inspire Harry and Joe to do their version of this?" He took a sip of wine and looked into her eyes.

Kathryn’s breath quickened as she regarded him. "Dance?" He smiled.

"Is that an offer, Captain? I thought we were brainstorming here." He leaned forward to put his glass back on the coffee table and sat back again, using his arm to subtly bring her closer to him. He looked into her eyes again.

"So, what’s the female version of these kinds of maneuvers?"

She thought for a moment and finally confessed, "I don’t know. I haven’t …. what I mean to say is that I’m not …. Oh, damn it, Chakotay, I’m not very experienced in this kind of thing. Justin seemed to be interested in me first and then Mark was just suddenly always there. I never really had the opportunity to "pursue" anyone in my life -- sometimes I’ve wondered myself what I would do but I guess it’s just not my lot in life."

"Well, why don’t you let yourself imagine a little?" He reached for his glass again and settled back. "Okay, I’m Joe and you’re Sam. You’ve had feelings for me for quite a while and you’re sure I share them. But I haven’t said anything or made any moves on you and you’ve finally reached that stage where you want to know for sure. We’re in your quarters for a quiet evening together – what are you going to do?"

Kathryn sat in deep thought, sipping her wine. As she mulled over a few ideas Chakotay watched her, also sipping his wine. After a short time she stood up, put her empty glass on the coffee table, and announced, "I’ll be right back."

Chakotay followed her exit with startled eyes until she disappeared into her bedroom and then he refilled their glasses and considered the situation.

He had always found Kathryn appealing. He had acknowledged that to himself at the beginning of this voyage and then had firmly packed that feeling away in the furthest recesses of his being. There were many things about Starfleet that he had not admired at the time, but he agreed with its view on fraternization on board ship, especially with a fellow officer. He had never had to beg for female companionship and he was sure that, even in the Delta Quadrant, friendly planets along the way would supply him with many a memorable shore leave. Why would anyone want to start something potentially disastrous on board a ship out in deep space? Starfleet missions were not known for their frequent overturn of crew and working with an old lover….well. Not him, not ever and definitely not decades away from home.

And then his arm had slipped down across Kathryn’s neck and shoulders in a simple role-play and he’d felt a rekindling thrill from deep inside of himself. And not just a thrill of the hunt, but a thrill of real desire. He could still feel her skin and that surprised him greatly.

"Shake it off," he silently commanded himself.  "You’ve danced with her, you’ve played contact sports with her, you’ve carried her to Sickbay a few times, there’s nothing new in touching this woman….this captain. Think of her as Jean-Luc Picard, because it’s just as inappropriate to be with her as it would be to be with him. He gagged at the comparison and then firmly buried his sudden awareness for her. They were here together to devise a matchmaking plan and, as far as he was concerned, that was all.

Then she re-entered the room and he looked up, almost spitting his wine back into his glass. The jeans and old tee shirt were gone and in their place was a long, soft, clinging blue dress with slits on both sides. Maybe ‘dress’ was too formal, it had the definite atmosphere of casual comfort and he had a sudden urge to pull its front fastener down a little to expose more of her throat and chest. He refused to consider that her breasts might be the main attraction – and then he was looking at her hair. The style hadn’t changed but she must have brushed the hard hairspray from it because it was swinging more and looking very touchable. And he suddenly wanted very much to touch.

"What do you think, Chakotay?" she asked with an uncertain tone in her voice. "I’m really not very good at this – is this something that would help a woman wake up a hesitant man?"

She came to the sofa and sat close to him, tucking one leg under the other. He could now smell her soft perfume and feel her breath, but as long as she didn’t touch him, he’d be fine. Then she put her head on his shoulder. He’d been right, her hair was very soft – and he suddenly realised that he wasn’t anymore.

"Well, I can’t speak for Joe, personally, but I’m sure that he would love to see Sam in something like this. At least she’d be offering him something to do with her."

She looked at him in puzzlement. "Do? Do what?"

He smiled into her eyes and gently started to pull down the fastener. "If you were Sam and I was Joe in this situation, I’d definitely consider this…." His head bent down and he kissed her on her exposed throat. "And then this…" His mouth slid down her décolletage as his hand kept pulling the fastener. He felt Kathryn tremble and clutch his thigh but then she gasped and he came to. First he jumped back and then he leapt to his feet.

"Kathryn! Captain!" He stood looking down at her stricken face. "I – I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry!" He looked around her quarters as if waking from a dream. "I really am sorry, Kathryn, and it will never happen again. It’s time I left." He was at the door before she could utter a word. "Goodnight, Captain. I’ll see you on the bridge." And he was gone – leaving her to consider why, after having two fiancés in her life, she could not remember her entire skin burning for them after a simple kiss like it was burning now for her best friend and First Officer.

Tom often thought how he had mixed luck. There was the big stuff, like being sentenced to the penal colony – that was his bad luck. But then there was the small stuff, like seeing Commander Chakotay leaving the captain’s quarters in a state of dishevelment – that was his good luck. He knew without asking that Chakotay was thinking about Captain Janeway in ‘that’ way - it was written all over his face, not to mention elsewhere. And Tom was just the man to take advantage of such knowledge. He grinned and went in search of Harry.

Spirits! How could he have done that? He’d broken one of his cardinal rules and with his captain no less! He berated himself unmercifully. And, if she ever asked, what would he say was the reason he’d kissed her on her throat and, he groaned, even lower. What could he say - there was absolutely no excuse. Oh, he was a dead man, there was no doubt about that.

Chakotay stopped his pacing and stood at his viewport, watching the stars. Just what had happened back there, anyway? This wasn’t New Earth, where they weren’t serving as fellow officers and where he’d indulged in making one small pass at her. Why, after all this time, would he suddenly feel an irresistible urge to get skin to skin with Kathryn Janeway? He shook his head in disgust and started for the bathroom.

She’d smelled wonderful and that skin – he slowly licked his lips at the memory of his mouth tasting her softness. In frustration he grabbed a washcloth and covered his face with cold water for a moment. He looked up and glared sternly at his reflection and his comments to himself were sharp. You’d better get a grip, old man. Even if you wanted to ignore your non-fraternization rule she’s not your type; she’s too short, too skinny, and far too controlling.

Then, for the first time in his life, Chakotay reconsidered the shortlist that any woman had to meet in order to catch his eye. Yes, Kathryn was relatively short but lots of people were -- and skinny could never have kept his eyes glued to that soft, clinging dress like they had been. And, come to think of it, she hadn’t even been that controlling with him for a couple of years now.

He suddenly realised that he had actually allowed this change to exist without noticing it – some first officer he was. Then he remembered her blushing confession regarding her relative inexperience in initiating romance; spirits, she must be so lonely after four years in space. His mind wandered to the many experiences he would be more than happy to share with her; after all, contrary to his own satisfying shore leaves she often stayed on board so that her senior officers could take full advantage of their down time.

And then his anger resurfaced and he was firm with himself. No. This was not going to happen, he was just due for a good old-fashioned shore leave -- and not with her. He wasn’t a hormonal kid anymore and he had no intention of changing life rules at this stage of it.

He sighed and turned on a real water shower - extra cold.

They were much more formal for their second meeting of MatchMakers Anonymous. Both were wearing uniforms and the meeting was held in Janeway’s Ready Room. No wine, no clinging dresses, no bare feet and a large desk between them. Touching was not on the agenda for either of them.

"Okay," said Kathryn briskly. "Last time we talked a bit about how our couples might act if they wanted to take their relationships a little further in private. But let’s leave that to them and consider what methods we could use to help them publically find their way to that point."

He frowned. "I can only think of obvious ploys – parties, dances, you know the scene. It’s pretty lame but I just can’t think of anything else. And I’m not sure I’m up to another of Neelix’s or Tom’s bashes – it always take me days to recover from them."

"Yeah, I know. I thought of moonlight sailing, romance holonovels, and other holodeck activities, but then I realised that those are my preferences and I have no idea how to get our couples to use one of my programmes without coming across as being very, very strange."

He smiled thoughtfully. "I like that Lake George programme but I’ve never actually participated in a holonovel."

She looked at him in shock. "Never? Oh my, they’re the one thing that can absolutely make me forget what’s happening in real life. No bridge, no attacking aliens, no leola root -- I tell you, they’re the best therapy on board ship."

"Really? Hmmm, I wonder if I should start suggesting it to some of the crew when they’re ready to snap for one reason or another. Although, I can’t imagine some of our bruisers wanting to prance around in period costume." Chakotay laughed and then caught her glare.

"Commander, I might point out that what we’re wearing could also be described as period costume. I think if all you tough guys can handle this uniform then you can handle what the bruisers throughout history wore." She crossed her arms and frowned.

"I’ll take your word for it, Kathryn. I’m sure that men in leggings thought they were the model of manliness." He smiled disarmingly at her but she didn’t look convinced.

"Okay, you big Maquis, why don’t you join me in one of the programmes on file and let’s see how you do." She almost burst out laughing at his horror stricken face.

"I might, Kathryn," he said slowly, "if I get to pick the century. Deal?"

"Sure, I have no problem with that. Actually, you can pick the novel, too," and she slid a padd across to him. He studied it for a while and then looked up at her.

"How about this Nero Wolfe novel? It sounds kind of interesting."

She took the padd from him and read for a moment. "Chakotay, this isn’t a romance holonovel, it’s a murder mystery. We don’t want them killing each other, we want them falling into each other’s arms." She read for a few minutes longer and then slid the padd back to him. "How about that one, it’s in the same century and all you’d probably have to wear is another uniform. I think your manly pride would survive that."

He read the synopsis for ‘Tales of the South Pacific’ by James Michener. "Sounds fine by me and thank you for considering the clothes. Hey, maybe I’ll get to fly one of those old World War II war planes!"

She rolled her eyes and tapped her communicator. "Computer, is a holodeck free right now?"

"Affirmative," came the reply.

"Please reserve four hours starting in ten minutes under my name." Kathryn looked up at Chakotay and smiled. "Get ready for the next best thing to shore leave, Commander!"

Considering some of his shore leaves, he was extremely doubtful -- but he followed her out the door.

"Kathryn, this isn’t what I was expecting," groused Chakotay as they laid low in the wet tropical underbrush.

"Shhhhh, do you want to be caught?" she whispered back.

"Yes," was his brief reply. He tried to adjust his hat to keep the teeming rain from hitting his face. It didn't work.

She looked at him in disgust. "Chakotay, we are on this island to discover the whereabouts of the Japanese and their sea and air strengths. If they catch us we could lose the war."

"Kathryn, I don’t know how to tell you this, but you’re wearing the uniform of the ancient US Marine Corps and I seem to be some kind of civilian. Women were not admitted to the fighting services during World War II and if we get caught they won’t be taking you into a hut for interrogation purposes."

"Then I suggest you amend your previous statement about wanting to be caught, Commander," she said dryly. "Anyway, this is not reality, this is a holonovel and it doesn’t matter one whit if I chose to act out this part. It’s allowed. You could have picked out any one of the many tales in the book, you know. This top secret surveillance one was your choice"

She stiffened suddenly at the sound of an airplane. "Take cover!" They both dove into the dense palm forest and caught their breaths as they kneeled, watching the plane through the trees. Kathryn recorded the type of aircraft and its direction and he watched as she swiveled around to face him.

"That was close," she whispered shakily.

"Close," he repeated softly. His eyes were dark as they sat on their heels, their knees touching on the jungle's floor.

Slowly Chakotay reached over to her cheek and tried to wipe a spot of mud from Kathryn’s dripping face. Startled, she raised her hand up to cover his and their bodies became completely still while their eyes locked on each other’s. He turned his hand over and ran the back of his fingers along her jawline, slowly gathering up raindrops. He felt her shiver and then he murmured, "Oh hell…." and lowered his face to hers.