One month after All for a Want of Patience:
Neelix started it. When Voyager had been dragged into the 20th Century, he and Kes had downloaded an entertainment database of immense proportions. Especially movies. The crew had enjoyed the various movies and recordings in the privacy of their quarters, but Neelix, as always, had grandiose ideas. He and Tom had spent a lot of time and effort programming their idea in the holodeck. Like most of their projects it was spectacular.
Kathryn Janeway looked around at the magnificent movie theater that Tom and Neelix had created. It was glorious. Large, spacious, very ornate, painted walls and ceilings, velvet covered seats, and a large screen. She'd never seen anything like it. She'd been curious when Tom had invited her and Chakotay to the grand opening of the Paramount Theater. Actually most of the crew had been invited. Neelix had said they were going to show a series of movies from the late 20th century, but didn't tell which ones. Do to shift considerations the three movies were going to be shown over the course of four nights. She found her seat and stood there, Chakotay hadn't arrived yet. The various crewmembers smiled at her as they found their seats. Ever since they had announced her pregnancy, it seemed everybody smiled at her.
"Captain, you came. You're in for a treat." Neelix chortled. "Where's Commander Chakotay."
"He was settling a dispute between Crewman Dalby and Ensign Bell. Something about a cactus." She wanted to ask what movies they were going to show, but didn't. She probably wouldn't have known what they were anyway.
"I hope you find your seat comfortable, Captain. Enjoy the movie." Neelix went to greet Tom and B'Elanna.
Janeway smiled as she sat down.
"Captain, what do you think?" Tom asked expectantly.
Janeway laughed quietly. "It's wonderful Tom. Opulent."
He beamed at her, "Thanks, and enjoy the show."
Tom escorted B'Elanna past the Captain--who had stood to let them pass--to their seats.
Kathryn became aware of the music underneath the chattering of the crowd that was developing. She listened carefully. Very lush, romantic.
She was about to give up on Chakotay and sit down again, when she saw him. Fortunately the low light prevented anybody around her from seeing her blush. This was their first public date, since they had announced her pregnancy, and Kathryn noticed that everybody was watching them. Or so it felt like.
"Captain," he said with a grin. "Or are we off duty?"
She smiled back, feeling a little self-conscious. "I guess we're off. The cactus?"
"I'll have a report tomorrow for the Captain."
She laughed. "Have a seat." She looked around one last time. The place was packed. She sat down as the last of the lights started to dim.
He put his arm around her shoulder--she gave him a look--but all he did was smile and whisper, "They all expect us to kiss too."
She threw him a dirty look, but didn't pull away.
A drum roll-off caught her attention and they looked at the screen. Then there was a fanfare, then silence.
Someone in the audience read the words from the screen, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away..."
Whoever barely finished when the theater filled with another fanfare and more words appeared on the screen. Someone else continued to read. The words disappeared to reveal stars...
Kathryn closed her eyes as the lights brightened, the sudden shift from dark to light was hard. She leaned against Chakotay to maintain her balance.
"So, what did you think?" Neelix asked.
"It has nothing on real life, but it was fun. I presume the other two movies are sequels?"
"Yes, they are. If only we had showed up early in the 21st century, we might have been able to get the rest in the series. Are you going to stay and see the next one tonight, Captain?"
She shook her head. "I think I'll get some sleep." Neelix's answering smile was a little too suggestive. She suppressed her own grin, she hadn't been sleeping alone for over a month, and by now everybody knew it. Everybody also knew that starting tomorrow, engineering was going to be cutting through the wall separating hers and the Commander's quarters and doing some interior work to create room for their child.
"No, Neelix. I'll come see it tomorrow. And part three the next night," she answered him.
"Very good Captain." Neelix left to talk to Tom.
She turned around to look for Chakotay. He was in a conversation with Harry and Susan Niccoletti. She yawned.
"Captain, how are you doing?" Kes asked.
"Fine Kes. Just tired."
"That's to be expected. Did you enjoy the movie?"
"Yes. It was rather fun."
"I thought so too. Captain, the Doctor would like you to come to sickbay. Tomorrow or the next day."
"Tomorrow afternoon, unless something happens." In the past month nothing had happened. They had stopped for three days R&R on an uninhabited planet, gathered food supplies, found a few minerals they needed. During the entire past month they had seen three ships, that never even came close enough to hail or scan.
Kathryn had just decided to leave when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"Tired?"
"Uhuh. But not too tired, yet." She smiled at him. They quietly left.
As they left the holodeck, they heard someone shout, "Hey, Tom, so that's where you learned to fly."
