Disclaimer on first part of story.
By Orion
One week later, Kathryn was on her way to the holodeck to meet some of the crew at Sandrine's. She had been busy throughout the past week. Not with anything serious, but with little things here and there. She was glad she had been occupied. It kept her mind off a certain first officer. She didn't want to rush things with Chakotay, yet the ever-present longing she felt for him lately was increasing.
The night before, she and Tayden had eaten dinner together. She had to admit, she had a nice time. He was charming and friendly. But, she told herself, there was nothing more to it.
Kathryn entered the holodeck to find Tom and Harry shooting pool. She walked to the table where B'Elanna was sitting and sat down with her.
"Hello, B'Elanna," she said.
"Hi, Captain."
"Who's winning, or shouldn't I ask?"
"Tom is, of course." She rolled her eyes. "Poor Harry. He'll have to listen to his gloating all night. For that matter, so will I. Is Chakotay coming?"
"He said he'd be here shortly."
They sat in silence for a few minutes and watched the game. When the doors opened, Kathryn looked up to see Chakotay enter, followed by Tayden.
That little rat, she thought. Well, she wasn't going to worry about the bet anymore. After last night, she was sure Tayden didn't want anything other than friendship. And he was leaving at the end of next week, so it would be foolish for him to start something now.
They walked over to Kathryn's and B'Elanna's table. B'Elanna stood up. "You two can sit here. It's my turn to lose," she said, and walked away.
"What's that they're playing?" Tayden asked.
"It's an old Earth game called pool," Chakotay answered.
"It looks interesting." He turned to Kathryn. "So Kathryn, do we get to have dinner together again before I leave?"
"I'm sure that could be arranged," she said, all too aware of the look Chakotay was giving her.
"I must say, you do an excellent job of running this ship, Kathryn. Everyone seems quite content on board," Tayden said, looking around the room.
"Thank you, Tayden." She was saved from further comment as Tom came over and asked Tayden if he wanted to learn how to play. He jumped at the chance and joined them around the pool table.
Chakotay looked at Kathryn. "I think he's flirting with you. You'd better start practicing your singing in the shower," he said, his eyes glinting.
"He was not flirting. He was being himself. And I think you're jealous."
"Ha!" Chakotay let out a laugh. "I can handle him. Let's just make sure you can handle him when he makes a move on you."
"There won't be any need to handle him."
"I'll keep an eye out anyway, in case I have to protect your virtue," he said, teasing her.
"Oh, please," Kathryn said, rolling her eyes. "The only person I need protection from is you."
"I don't recall you fighting me in the turbolift last week," Chakotay said quietly.
She sucked in her breath as images of their steamy embrace raced through her mind. Chakotay's eyes mirrored her look of desire, letting her know he was remembering too.
Just then Tayden came over, interrupting their mutual thoughts. "Hey, I like this game. I actually beat Tom." Kathryn and Chakotay looked over at Tom's pouting face and laughed. "Why don't you two play a game now?" Tayden asked.
They joined the others, and everyone had a good time laughing and playing until the wee hours of the morning.
Kathryn and Chakotay stopped outside his quarters on their way back from the holodeck, and he leaned over and gave her a brief kiss. "Good night, Kathryn."
"That was it?"
"At this hour, that's all I can handle. It must be my age showing."
"I'm pretty dead myself. And we have to be on the Bridge at 08:00," she said, stifling a yawn.
"Then we'd better get some sleep."
"Good night, Chakotay," she said, walking toward her quarters.
"Good night, Kathryn."
************************
If the past week had been busy, the next day made up for it.
"God," Kathryn yawned to Chakotay after three hours on the Bridge, "being bored is almost as tiring as being busy, if not more so."
"I know what you mean. It doesn't help that we got in late last night either."
"I'm definitely having an early night tonight."
After suffering through the rest of Bridge duty, Chakotay asked Kathryn to join him for dinner, but she refused in favor of a long, hot bath and a soft bed. He said he was going to try and turn in early too, after discussing a report with Seven in astrometrics.
In her quarters, Kathryn soaked in a tub scented with lavender oil until the water grew tepid. She got out, dried off, and put on a peach-colored satin nightgown. It had spaghetti straps and hung to just above her knees. She was heading to the replicator to make a cup of tea before going to bed when her door chimed.
Who could that be? She went to her bedroom and put on the matching robe, tying the belt as she headed to the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Tayden standing there.
"Kathryn, I hope I didn't disturb you," he said.
"Actually, I was about to have some tea and..."
"Good. I caught you in time." Her eyebrow rose as she watched him move by her and enter her quarters.
Before she could say anything, he turned around and said, "I brought a surprise for you."
"You did?" she asked, trying to figure out why he was here, and saw him pull out a bottle of wine he had been holding behind his back.
"Where'd you get that?" she asked.
"From Tom. He wanted me to know there were no hard feelings after I beat him at pool." He smiled at her. "Do you have glasses?"
What am I going to do now? God, I hope Chakotay doesn't find out he's here. We'll have one drink and then I'll get rid of him. "I'll get some," she said, going to the replicator.
Tayden opened the wine and sat on the sofa. Kathryn brought the glasses over, sat down aside of him, and let him pour. They talked for about ten minutes and then Tayden said, "I'd like to propose a toast. To you Kathryn, my savior"
Kathryn began to feel slightly uncomfortable. "I wouldn't exactly go that far. But thank you."
They each took a sip and Tayden set his glass on the coffee table. "Kathryn," he said, "I've really grown quite fond of you since I've been on board."
This shocked her into silence. She hadn't realized how strongly he felt. Tayden leaned closer, closing the distance between them. She had to do something now! She put her one free hand up to his chest stopping his movement, his lips mere inches from hers.
"Tayden..." she said.
He sat up straight again. "I...I'm sorry, Kathryn. I guess I was presuming too much. I mean, I didn't think you were involved with anyone. And I thought maybe..."
"It's O.K, Tayden. Really. And I'm flattered. But, it's hard for me to get involved. As a Captain, I have certain responsibilities..."
"Say no more. I understand perfectly. And, I apologize," he said, standing up.
"No need to." Kathryn set her glass down and stood up too. She followed him to the door.
"You're not angry, are you?" he asked.
"No." She smiled at him. "Who could be angry with you? It was only a misunderstanding."
"Thank you. I knew you were special." He touched her cheek lightly and was gone.
***********************************
Chakotay walked down the corridor toward his quarters. He was looking forward to relaxing and going to bed on time. Although he would have liked to have seen Kathryn tonight, he knew she was planning on being in bed early, too.
As he came around the curve close to his quarters, he stopped dead. He backed up two steps and peered around the wall. Tayden was leaving Kathryn's quarters! Chakotay hadn't been spotted, and he saw Tayden walk off in the opposite direction. What had he been doing there? Chakotay didn't know, but he was planning on finding out.
He went to his quarters and changed into a dark blue t-shirt and navy sweatpants. Not bothering with shoes, he walked to Kathryn's quarters in his socks. The whole process took him about ten minutes from when he saw Tayden leave. He reached up and rang her door chime.
****************************
Kathryn had been pacing since Tayden left, trying to figure out what exactly happened. She didn't think she had encouraged him. Oh my God, the thought struck her. I lost the bet! Wait a minute. Think Kathryn, think. Nobody knew he was here, right? He won't tell, and I know I won't tell. Chakotay will never find out. She sighed. I'm safe.
Her door chimed. Damn, I hope that's not Tayden again. She went to the door and punched in the code. The door opened and this time she saw Chakotay standing there. He knows, her mind cried out. I'm being paranoid. Just relax, she told herself.
"Chakotay." she said. "What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping to catch you before you went to bed. I wanted to say good night." His eyes roamed her body making her instantly aware of him. "That color looks good on you."
Kathryn had forgotten she was in her nightgown and when she looked down, noticed her robe had come untied during her pacing and was hanging open. She also saw two hardened peaks outlined by the satin, and when she looked at Chakotay, she could tell by the look in his eyes he had noticed too. She quickly retied the robe and backed up a few steps.
Chakotay walked past her and the door closed.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, indicating the wine glasses and bottle sitting on the table.
Kathryn turned and saw what he saw. "No," was all she said.
"Are you alone?"
"Of course I'm alone."
"Two glasses?"
"Oh. They're from earlier. B'Elanna stopped by with the wine. Tom gave it to her."
"What was the occasion?" he asked, walking over to her.
"She wanted to talk. It was personal. You understand."
"Ah, yes." He was standing right in front of her. "Girl talk."
Kathryn hoped he didn't question her anymore because she was having trouble thinking with him looking like he wanted to devour her right then and there. Chakotay reached a hand up and ran his fingers through her hair at the side of her face. She shivered slightly at the small tug.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" he asked, lowering his head.
"No," she whispered, and his lips touched hers.
"Mmmmm...you taste good, too," he said against her mouth. Chakotay's hand tangled in her hair further and his other hand came up between them to gently cup her breast. He circled his palm over the sensitive peak drawing a throaty moan from her. Kathryn's hands worked their way up around his neck to sift through his hair. Chakotay's hand shifted and he lightly pinched her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. She gasped and arched into his hand, tightening her grip in his hair. His mouth left hers and, as he kissed along her throat, he began speaking softly.
"So tell me," he said between kisses.
Kathryn tipped her head back. "Hmmm..?" she purred.
"Did you stop him before he kissed you?"
"Yes."
It took her only a second to realize what just happened. Her eyes flew open like she'd been hit with a bucket of cold water, and Chakotay's head came up to look at her.
"I thought so," he said.
Kathryn tried to take a step backward, but he wouldn't let her go. His hand left her breast and slid to her waist, his other hand still in her hair. How did she get out of this one?
"Was that a lucky guess?" she asked.
"I saw him leaving here earlier."
"You knew he had been here and didn't tell me?"
"Why should I have? So you could have thought up a better lie?"
Kathryn opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Chakotay asked, releasing her.
"No." She thought she might as well explain. "He brought the wine. And apparently thought I might have been receptive to...an involvement. He didn't mean any harm, Chakotay. It was all a misunderstanding and it's straightened out now."
"Good," he said, staring at her. "Now. For the other matter at hand."
"Look, Chakotay, I'm really sorry about all this," she said, trying to appeal to him. "Can't we just have a laugh out of it and forget the whole thing?" She tried to look innocent.
"Kathryn Janeway. You lied to me to try and avoid taking the consequences of a bet you lost. What would you do if a member of your crew lied to you? Which has been done before. And from what I recall, you didn't 'forget the whole thing.'"
"Oh, you're just loving this, aren't you? So what are you going to do?"
"What I should do is make you sing and give up coffee for two months."
"You wouldn't?" She looked horrified.
"No. I figure, if you felt you had to lie to try and weasel your way out of this, I would say this consequence is going to be punishment enough."
"Why don't you make me do something else instead?" she asked, hopeful.
Chakotay studied her. "You were so sure you'd win, weren't you? You agreed to these consequences. They stand."
Kathryn gave him a mutinous look and sat on the sofa, her chin resting in her hands, elbows leaning on knees.
"Obviously the Captain is able to dish out consequences, but is unable to take them." He paused and she looked at him menacingly. "Well, since you're cranky now, I guess I'll leave."
He kissed the top of her head and she grunted. "Talent Night is next week, so I'll get back to you as soon as I can about that song. Sweet dreams, Kathryn," he said walking out, and she stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.
**************************
The next morning, Kathryn was already in her Captain's chair when Chakotay arrived for his shift.
"Good morning, Captain," he said cheerily.
"Morning, Commander," she said, not quite as friendly.
Chakotay sat in his chair and leaned toward her. "I picked out your song," he said quietly. She looked at him but didn't answer. "Don't you want to know what it is?"
"No."
"O.K. I'll tell you tonight when you come to my quarters for dinner."
"What makes you think..." she started angrily, and then looked around at the Bridge crew and lowered her voice. "that I'm coming to your quarters for dinner?"
"We can eat in the mess hall if you'd like, but I'didn't think you'd want the crew to see me nibble on your ear." He looked at her pointedly. "Are you going to make me suffer because you lost a fair bet?" he asked, practically reading her thoughts again.
He's right, she thought. It's not his fault I lost the bet. Why did I ever agree to that bet?
"I'm sorry. I'd like to have dinner with you," she said, looking contrite.
"How does 19:00 sound?"
"Fine. I'll see you then."
The rest of the morning passed uneventfully, and Kathryn and Chakotay were able to have lunch together. When they entered the mess hall, Tayden waved them over to his table.
"Hello Kathryn, Commander," Tayden said.
"Hi, Tayden," they both answered, sitting down.
Throughout lunch the conversation remained light as Tayden amused them with anicdotes of his home planet. He told them of some of the interesting things they do for entertainment.
"I imagine with the holodeck," Tayden said, "you can stay entertained even though you're so isolated."
"We're always doing new things for entertainment," Chakotay said. "Next week we're having what we call Talent Night. If you're still on board, you're welcome to come. In fact, Kathryn will be performing that night."
Kathryn's fork clattered loudly to the floor, and she almost choked on the food in her mouth.
"Are you all right?" Chakotay asked.
"I'm fine," she said, an edge to her voice.
"Kathryn, you're really performing something?" Tayden asked. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, That's a surprise," Chakotay answered.
"Captain." Tom came over holding a tray. "I was walking by and couldn't help overhear. Is that true? You're going to be a part of Talent Night?"
"Well, I..." she stammered.
"Or course she is," Chakotay said. "Just because she's Captain, doesn't mean she can't join in, right?"
"I love it. Can't wait to see your performance. See you later," he said, and left to join B'Elanna.
"I'll look forward to it too, Kathryn," Tayden said.
Kathryn sat there, too stunned to speak, while Chakotay and Tayden carried on without her.
******************************
She was going to kill Chakotay. She hadn't gotten an opportunity to see him alone the rest of the day, but when she did, she'd kill him. Or at least, hurt him really badly. Tom would tell everyone about this. The whole ship was likely to be there. He probably even had betting pools going on what her performance would be.
When Kathryn returned to her quarters after her shift was over, she suddenly remembered she was to meet Chakotay at 19:00. What am I going to do? I can't sing at Talent Night. She thought back to when she had sung a song in a variety show when she was a cadet. The show had been put together to entertain the parents and families visiting over 'Parents Weekend' at the Academy. But she could remember the half hidden chuckles and snickers she had heard, mostly from the other cadets, while walking off the stage like it was yesterday. It had been humiliating, and she didn't wish to repeat the experience. She had to get out of this.
She took a quick shower, which did nothing to relax her, and dressed in slim black pants and a long button-down jade green blouse. Standing outside Chakotay's door, she rang the chime, determined to put an end to her impending torture.
"Come in," she heard him call.
Once inside, she noticed the lights were dimmed and a few candles were burning on the table.
"Do you like it?" Chakotay asked. He was wearing khaki pants and a black polo shirt.
"It's lovely." She walked further into the room. "Chakotay, we have to talk."
"Unless it's about our relationship, Kathryn, I don't want to discuss it right now."
"Please Chakotay, give me something else to do besides singing at Talent night," she pleaded.
"Kathryn, not only did you lose, you were prepared to lie about it."
"I know and I'm sorry. But you don't understand, I sang in front of people before. I'm horrible. I can still hear them laughing." She began pacing the room.
"I'm sure you're exaggerating."
"I'm not. I'll do anything, Chakotay."
"Anything?" he asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Chakotay," she said in a plaintive voice.
"Just kidding. Boy, you really don't want to do this."
"No, I don't," she said, beginning to get frustrated. She stopped pacing and saw him staring at the skin below her neck that was revealed by the open V of her blouse.
"O.K. I have an idea," Chakotay said. "How about another bet?"
"Why would I want to do that?"
"If you win, you're freed from the consequences of the original bet. But if you lose, you still have to perform."
"And what is this bet?"
He started toward her slowly. "I'll bet you, that I can turn you on before you can turn me on." He stopped in front of her and brushed a stray hair off her face, his eyes challenging her yet again.
"You must have a very high opinion of yourself, Commander," she said.
"I just know you very well, Captain. After all, look how easy it was for me to get the truth out of you with only a few kisses." While he was talking, his hand grazed down her arm to her hand. Bringing it up to his mouth, he kissed her palm and the inside of her wrist.
His lips sent electric shocks shooting up her arm. "You seem pretty sure of that," she said slowly.
"I am." He traced the lines across her wrist with the tip of his tongue.
"All right," she said, surprising herself. "I'll take that bet, if for nothing more than to prove you wrong." She sounded more sure than she felt. But if he could hold out, then so could she. "So what do we do?"
"Come here." Without releasing her hand, he led her to the sofa and they both sat down.
"What are the rules?" Kathryn asked.
"We can do whatever we want on our turn. The person who gives in to it first, loses."
"No problem," she said confidently. "Who starts?"
He released her hand. "I'll take that as my turn. So take your best shot."
"Fine," she said, moving a little closer. She placed her hand behind his neck and her lips lightly against his, and gave him small, sweet kisses from one corner of his mouth to the other. Then she sat up. "Your turn."
Chakotay got up and pulled her closer to the edge of the sofa. He positioned himself between her knees while kneeling on the floor in front of her. Tucking her hair behind her ear, he then drew her earlobe into his mouth. Heat began spiraling through her as he sucked and nibbled on her lobe. When he moved to swirl his tongue around the shell of her ear, Kathryn closed her eyes.
Chakotay backed away from her. "Feel anything?" he asked grinning.
Kathryn opened her eyes. "Not at all," she said, trying to keep her voice light. God, she thought, I have a feeling this is going to take all the strength I have. "My turn," she said. She leaned forward and kissed him again. This time her tongue came out and licked the crease between his lips. While her lips and tongue were busy, her hands pulled his shirt free of his pants and slid underneath to touch his back. The hard muscles felt good beneath her hands as she ran them up and down.
Kathryn pulled her hands out and backed off. "How was that?"
"I didn't even notice," he said, but she could see the desire in his eyes.
Chakotay moved right in and kissed her. His lips slowly brushed over hers, and his tongue snaked out to taste her. Her breathing had increased and she was desperate to open her mouth, but that would mean giving in, and she didn't intend to lose. When he pulled her lower lip into his mouth and bit it gently, a soft gasp escaped her before she could stop it.
Chakotay drew back. "Did you say something?"
"No. Are you finished?" She tried to sound bored.
"For now."
Kathryn grabbed a hold of the bottom of his shirt. "May I?" she asked.
"Sure," he said, helping her pull his shirt off. She feasted her eyes on the bare skin in front of her before running her fingernails down his chest, like she had done in her dream. Eager to taste his skin, she placed her lips on him. Moving them across his chest to his erect nipple, she circled it with her tongue a few times before her mouth laid claim to it. Kathryn hadn't been aware Chakotay had threaded his fingers in her hair until she brought her head up.
"Moving out of turn, Commander?" she asked.
He began unbuttoning her blouse. "I thought," he said, placing fiery kisses on her neck and down her throat, "that we could take our turns together."
"And...that's not against the rules?" She was having such a hard time thinking.
"No. You'll just lose faster."
"I think you overestimate...your...abilities," she managed as his lips blazed a trail of fire between her breasts.
Kathryn reached up and gripped his shoulders, and before she knew it, Chakotay unhooked the front closure of her bra and pushed it and her blouse aside. His hands cupped her breasts and he rubbed the erect peaks with his thumbs. Kathryn let out a heavy sigh as a tremor ran through her.
"Do you like that?" Chakotay asked.
"It's... pleasant enough," she said, her eyelids heavy with passion.
"Are you ready to give in?"
Oh, how she wanted to do just that. "Never," she said instead.
"If you say so." Chakotay's head came down and he took a nipple in his mouth. As he sucked on the rigid peak, Kathryn arched slightly closer to him, her nails digging into his back. Her heart was racing and she tried to calm her breathing. When chakotay moved back up to her neck, she ran her hands down his chest and stomach, and lower still, to feel his hardened arousal through his pants. Chakotay moaned against her shoulder.
"From the feel of this, Commander, I'd say you're definitely turned on."
"But I haven't given in, have I?" he asked, looking into her passion-glazed eyes, his voice sounding raspy. "I could stop anytime."
"Why don't we find out," he said, gripping her upper arms and moving slightly so he could pull her down to kneel in front of him, "how 'turned on' you are, Captain?" Chakotay's hand slid beneath the waistband of her pants and over her underwear. He stopped when he came in contact with the damp satin between her legs, his other hand caressing her back. "I'd say you're fairly aroused yourself," he said, stroking her lightly.
"Who me? You must be mistaken," Kathryn whispered breathlessly. He was torturing her. She had to do something before she broke completely.
She undid the snap and zipper of his pants and reached her hand inside his briefs. Just as she wrapped her hand around his length, Chakotay's fingers slipped inside her underwear, and inside her.
"Oh, God," Kathryn cried as she shuddered.
"Kathryn," Chakotay groaned into her neck.
Chakotay brought his head up and their mouths met in a kiss of hunger and need. A kiss that only added fuel to the conflagration already consuming their bodies. As their tongues invaded the heated caverns of each other's mouths, their hands were busy removing the remainder of their clothing.
Chakotay pushed Kathryn back till she lay on the floor. He dipped his tongue in her belly button and then ran it slowly up her stomach. He kissed his way over to one breast and then the other, concentrating on each sensitive peak in turn.
"Chakotay," she pleaded, pulling his head up to hers.
He shifted his position and entered her in one quick thrust. Kathryn gasped at the sweet invasion of her body. Chakotay began to move, and she wrapped her legs around him as she was taken higher and higher on a voyage of incredible sensations. When she could go no further Chakotay increased his rhythm, and she cried out his name as he took them over the edge together.
When their breathing had slowed, Chakotay rolled onto his back pulling her into the curve of his arm. They shared a tender kiss, and Kathryn laid her head on his chest.
Idly trailing her finger over his lips she asked, "Chakotay?"
"Yes?"
"Did I win?"
Chakotay paused. "I think we both did," he said as they started laughing.
END