And thanks to Sara, for her suggestions about the present -- and Jackee, my ever patient editor.

fmlyhuntr@concentric.net

May 1998

PG-13

Chakotay glanced around the Holodeck for the second time since entering. Even in the crowded room, he could see she hadn't arrived yet. He continued over to the food table and smiled. Everybody was in civvies -- the invitations had specifically said no uniforms.

The mountain lodge was perfect. Neelix and Tom had out-done themselves this year -- high ceilings, beautiful carved beams, and elegant furniture. And the food. The monstrous birthday cake in the center of the table covered in thick expresso icing looked fabulous, as did the number of smaller treats and hors d'oeuvres that were fast disappearing. He grabbed a stuffed mushroom and turned toward the exit expectantly.

It remained closed.

"Good evening, Commander," Neelix placed another plate of some blue triangles on the table. "Try the bril. This is the third plate I've brought out."

Chakotay looked at the triangles suspiciously, but politely nodded. "I will." He took another small bite of his mushroom. "You did a very good job this year, Neelix."

The Talaxian beamed. "Thank-you. But Tom is responsible for most of the details."

Tom did write good holoprograms, Chakotay silently agreed. Though the pilot wasn't above making a pretty penny -- or rather replicator ration -- in the process. "So, what did the crew decide to give her this year?" Usually he had found out several weeks before the event, but this year they had kept it very secret.

Neelix just clucked something, then picked up the several empty trays and scurried away. Chakotay shook his head. He was becoming very eager to learn what the crew was going to give her. He saw another opportunity and made his way through the crowd toward Tom and Harry, who seemed to be having a very animated discussion.

They both smiled at the Commander when he walked up. Tom spoke first. "If you are wondering about the Captain, she should be here shortly. Tuvok is escorting her." Chakotay had to smile at that. Kathryn made a show of not wanting the fuss -- but he was surprised they had sent Tuvok to retrieve her. The previous three years he had gone.

"Good, it wouldn't do for the Captain to miss her own party." Both the younger men laughed. "So, what did the crew get her this year?"

Tom snorted. "We decided on something interesting this year." The pilot looked at the exit, as did Harry. Chakotay followed their glance, thinking that Janeway had arrived.

He didn't notice the hypospray Tom held, until the faint hiss reached his ears. As he crumpled to the floor, he tried to speak...

Tom smiled, then whistled shrilly. B'Elanna appeared carrying a stretcher. "That was smooth," she said as they rolled the Commander onto the stretcher. The four volunteers stepped forward and in a coordinated effort, lifted the stretcher with synchronous grunt.

"Thanks." Tom glanced around. "We've got six minutes. And remember..."

"Oh shut up..." B'Elanna snarled as she stepped very close to Tom, making sure she brushed his chest. "We don't need things repeated." She led the stretcher-bearers toward the back and they disappeared through the big glass doors.

The crowd was hushed for a few minutes, then the chatting began again.

# - # - #

Janeway straightened her blue dress and ran her fingers over hair when the doorchimes rang. She smiled to hide her disappointment when the door slid open and revealed Tuvok. She was curious why he was here to escort her to her party. "Commander." She said while wondering where Chakotay was.

"Captain. I have been asked to escort you to Holodeck two."

"I would be honored." She stepped into the hallway.

The trip was silent. Several times she started to ask him what was wrong, but didn't. If it was important, he would have told her, but still there was something in his demeanor.

They reached the holodeck and the doors opened onto a lavish scene. A wooden dance floor, orchestra, ornate walls and ceiling. She started to calculate the energy expenditure, but stopped herself. Neelix had told her that they had gone overboard on her party -- but the crew needed it.

It was true, and from the smiles and eagerness of her crew, worth it. She received numerous good wishes and congratulations... Though some of the smiles were downright secretive. She kept looking around -- wondering where her First Officer was.

She made it to the table where Neelix was waiting with a large knife. "Happy Birthday, Captain." He handed her the knife, while the crew sang.

"Thank-you," she said when they'd finished. Wondering why the rush.

"Cut it, Captain. The icing will melt soon."

"Oh." That explained it -- except the room didn't seem that warm. She glanced around one last time, covering her disappointment at Chakotay's non-appearance and cut into the cake.

Neelix held a plate for her to put the piece on. Then handed it to her, while taking the knife. He watched her eagerly as she took a bite. This had become a Voyager birthday-tradition.

"Very good," she smiled. It was too. Neelix smiled back.

"Captain," Tom waved his hand to silence the crowd. "We'd like to give you your present now."

She scrutinized him carefully. "But the cake?"

"Don't worry. You can eat it on the way."

Now she was worried. "On the way where?"

Tom grinned. "Out that door there is a maze. Your present is at the end. And Captain, no cheating." This brought laughter from the crowd. She had tried last year to find out what the crew had gotten for her... and been very successfully foiled.

"Of course not. Now?"

"Yes... I should think so..." This brought more laughter, and really piqued her curiosity.

She shook her head and tried to look stern, but couldn't. "Tom?" She shook her head again and strolled out the door.

And stopped. The interior had been well programmed -- but the out-of-doors was some of the best holo-programming she'd ever seen. So real that the stars twinkled, and a warm breeze blew gently through the trees. There was even a hint of an aurora. She stood staring and enjoying the scenery for minutes, before her curiosity kicked in. She really wondered what her present was... But she would ask Tom for access to this program -- it was beautiful... incredible -- and if she dared think it -- perfect for a romantic stroll.

She looked back at the mountain lodge and again wondered where Chakotay was. Sighing, she turned and continued to the opening of the maze.

Again, she noted the details. The texture of the springy ground, the shadows cast by the hedges in the moonlight...

She smiled. And the fireflies. They were all over. She ran her hand over her eyes and laughed.

Her curiosity finally got the better of her, and she began to jog, wondering how her crew was going to top this. In her rush, she turned into several blind paths and had to backtrack. It took her ten minutes to find the center.

There, in front of her, was a very large, unwrapped box. It stood just a little taller than she did and was about two body lengths long. She grinned, then frowned when whatever was inside grunted. Her eyes opened wide as she ran down the possibilities.

It grunted again... They hadn't been near any class-M planets in three weeks... So it probably wasn't any real animal. A holographic something. She studied the box carefully and suddenly frowned... It couldn't be?

She reached for the card taped to the side.

Happy birthday, Captain. The holodeck is yours until 1600 hours tomorrow. We've rearranged the schedules.

It was signed by every member of the crew, or so the note said. Except one.

She blushed suddenly at the significance of all this -- that her crew actually... actually... She couldn't continue with that thought.

Who ever was in the box grunted again, bringing her thoughts back to here. She had to get him out... Then they would deal with the crew.

She tipped the box over and almost laughed.

There lay her First Officer trussed up on a mattress... She blushed as she studied him and realized what delicious thoughts were dancing in her head.

He was also gagged and blindfolded. She reached down and carefully undid the gag.

"Tom Paris, you'll be scrubbing the hull..." he said hoarsely.

For some reason she didn't answer him, finding it hard not to laugh.

"Who's there?" He twisted some. "Release me, or I'll have you helping Paris..."

She quirked an eyebrow. "I don't think so, Commander."

He stilled. "Kathryn? What the hell is going on?"

Now she laughed. "You, Commander, are my birthday present. Though, I believe you are the first one I've ever gotten all tied up." She pulled the blindfold off, then worked at untying him. "Also one of the noisiest."

Chakotay sat up when his hands were released and rubbed his wrists. He didn't look at her.

She sat down beside him. "I..." She didn't know what to say. The crew had just given her something she wanted dearly -- yet... "I like my present," she finally said, staring at her feet. She felt him shift position.

"Kathryn, I want you to know... I didn't know."

She nodded. "It does explain why you weren't there. But what now?" She lifted her eyes to look into his.

He smiled. "It's pretty obvious what the crew thinks. I'm not sure I approve of their methods." He was having a hard time controlling his embarrassment, and he blushed deeply.

She laughed. "We do know what they think..." It was an honest laugh, Kathryn's laugh, not the Captain's, and it gave her reason to pause. Why was she so unable to accept this gift, and all it meant? There was no question of her feelings for him, and there had never been any about his affection for her.

So, why not accept what was being offered here; a chance at her, no their hearts' desire -- sanctioned and encouraged by their crew.

She took his hand. "We've been skirting this issue for a while now, while my safety nets fell away one by one... I don't have many excuses left..." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. She smiled at his startled expression and leaned over again. Resisting the urge to nibble on his ear, she spoke in a throaty drawl. "Chakotay, you don't have to do this. If the situation bothers you, we can step away. The crew obviously has an agenda, but you do not have to be treated like this."

"Shut up and kiss me, Kate." Smiling like a kid she did just that, and found that this time he responded with an intensity that surprised her. Or maybe it shouldn't have, was her last thought before she found herself under him.

She moaned as his tongue slipped between her lips probing the warm reaches of her mouth.

"Hmm, Chakotay?" She kissed his cheek. "We're not alone."

He kissed her quickly and quirked an eyebrow. "I suspect we are." He lifted himself slightly. "Computer, how many people in holodeck two?"

"There are presently two people in holodeck two."

"Engage privacy lock, emergency over-ride only." Janeway sat up and stretched her arms behind her to undo the zipper. She smiled as she slipped the dress off her shoulders...

He reached out and took her hands. "Kathryn?"

She looked at him, wondering at his shy look. She let her eyes ask what was wrong.

"It's that I've dreamed about... well..." He blushed.

She smiled shyly and let her hands drop to her side. Chakotay reached up and caressed her shoulders then dragged his hands down her arms, pushing the sleeves off. He let it lie around her waist as he turned attention to her bra, which he removed quickly.

Kathryn closed her eyes at the sensations that coursed through her. She gasped at the feel of his mouth on her neck, then lower.

Then he stopped. She opened her eyes, to find herself drowning in his dark ones. He stood and carefully removed each piece of clothing. She watched, fascinated as his muscular form was revealed to her. Shy, but determined smiles played on both their faces, as he sat down beside her to finish the process of undressing her.

# - # - #

Kathryn woke slowly, feeling disoriented. She noticed two things simultaneously. Chakotay's arm draped over her waist, and the stars. She rolled over on her back to admire them and think about the past several hours. It had been a strange birthday, she realized as she stretched. When his arm pulled her tighter to him, she amended that thought to be a very strange birthday.

And a very memorable one.

She watched the sky as a meteor blazed across the darkened sky, ending in the yellow and green glow of the aurora.

For four years she had avoided this moment, while watching her safety nets vanish. Starfleet was a lifetime away; Mark had moved on; the crew obviously didn't think it was bad... and protocol...

Protocol alone remained. A formidable and daunting net... Yet last night and this morning had caused a tear...

She frowned, then almost laughed. A metamorphosis. After today, protocol had been changed to fit their unique situation. Like so many other modifications that had been made to Voyager -- the rules, the standards -- it made life so far from anywhere more bearable...

She felt his hand move upward as he shifted to look down on her. "You're awake?"

His smile was gorgeous -- and for her alone. "Why waste the night sleeping." He brought his face close to hers, letting his hands and eyes express his wishes.

# - # - #

Tom strolled onto the bridge, not really caring he was almost late. Oops, he realized, when the Vulcan Commander turned slightly in the Captain's chair, and stared at him -- he was late.

"Good morning, Mr. Paris." Tuvok quirked an eyebrow. "You are one minute and forty-five seconds late this morning."

"I'm..." Tom remembered a piece of advice. "Yes, sir." He winked at Harry and sat down at the nav-console. He glanced through the logs of the previous shift quickly -- wanting to redeem himself in the Vulcan's eyes... And he wanted to send a quick message to the crew. He smiled slightly as he closed the log. Thirty seconds later, he sent the following note.

Breakfast for two was beamed into Holodeck two at zero seven-hundred hours.

 

The End