*****

Just A Simple Argument
Rated NC-17 (to be on the safe side)
Oct 7, 1999

*****

To think it all started with a single argument, just a small disagreement on how to organize the shore leave...

*****

Voyager had been in orbit of a planet called Kharinus V for two days and the negotiations had ended this morning. Alpha shift was on the bridge waiting for the last 15 minutes to pass before Beta shift would take over.

The door to the ready room chimed and Kathryn Janeway called, "Come in," without even looking up from the PADD she was reading. She knew exactly who would enter. Yes, there he was. Commander Chakotay, Ex-Maquis and her First Officer for almost three years.

"Mr. Chakotay, what can I do for you?" she asked calmly, sensing his
well-concealed rage.

"Why is Tom Paris on shore leave tonight? I remember him being scheduled for tomorrow night," Chakotay demanded to know.

"Well, I met him and B'Elanna in the mess hall and we talked about Kharinus V, if they had been visiting yet. They told me they had not but that B'Elanna would go tonight, and then the next night would be Tom's turn. It was obvious they were not pleased about it but didn't complain or ask for a change so I offered it. Many couples had been scheduled together so I didn't see a problem in granting them the same opportunity. Do you?"

"Maybe next time you should do the shore leave rotations yourself. It's quite obvious that you don't think I am capable of doing it."

"Now hold it right there, Commander. You are capable all right but not in the mood you are in now. It's neither Tom nor B'Elanna's fault if you are angry with me..."

"And what makes you think that everything I do or say has to do with you, Miss 'I am Starfleet Captain above all' Janeway? You didn't..."

"That was out of line, Mister, and you know that. Frankly, I am tired of telling you again and again that it is impossible. I am the Captain. You are my First Officer. End of story. We are friends and most of the time I'm damn glad about this friendship but right now we are in one hell of a down. Don't you see that it is already affecting you if I annoy you on a personal level? What do you think will happen if we had a relationship far more complex than what we have at the moment. And don't try telling me otherwise, Chakotay. I think I know you good enough by now to at least guess what you are thinking."

"No, you don't! Damn it, you have no idea what I am feeling or thinking. Let me tell you something, lady. You are not the only one getting tired of this game. I have more than enough of you pushing me away all the time. You are not even allowing me being your friend sometimes. Do you know how much that hurts? Do you have any idea of what you are doing to me?"

"Chakotay..."

"Damn it, Kathryn Janeway. I love you! Do you hear me? I LOVE YOU!" Chakotay yelled at the top of his lungs before he turned on his heels to storm out of the room across the whole bridge and past an Alpha shift crew that looked on in open surprise, and into the turbo lift where the doors closed quickly behind him.

As soon as he was out of sight, all heads turned to the still open door of the ready room where a shell-shocked Captain Janeway stood motionless blocking the closing mechanism. There was no doubt that they had heard at least the last part of the argument. Heck, the whole ship must have heard it!

Tom Paris was the first to come over and ask, "Captain, are you alright?"

When he didn't get a reaction at all he took her by the shoulders and led her to the couch of the ready room forcing her to sit down and shutting out the rest of the crew. Then he went over to the replicator and ordered, "Brandy. Double." Picking up the glass, he came back to the woman sitting on the couch. "Here. Drink this. All of it."

Janeway obeyed as if on auto-pilot but the strong beverage prompted an immediate reaction as she shook violently then gasped, "What the hell...is this? Tom?" She stared at him in surprise then remembered. "I have to go..."

Tom's hand grabbing her arm stopped her short and she looked at him in anger, "What are you doing? Let go of me right now! That's an order."

"Don't talk to him like this. You are only making things worse. Calm down a little and think about what you're going to say, Captain."

"Who said anything about talking? I am going to throw him out of the next airlock! Now if you'll excuse me, please?" Freeing her arm Janeway stormed out of the room and into the turbolift much the same way as her First Officer had done a couple of minutes ago.

"Computer, location of Commander Chakotay," she queried while the lift doors closed behind her.

"Commander Chakotay is in his quarters," came the mechanic reply.

"Deck 3."

*****

Arriving at the door of Chakotay's quarters, she punched in her override code without even attempting to ring the chime first. When the door swished open, she found herself face to face with her First Officer, and before she knew it, he had her up against the wall beside the closed door kissing her like no man had ever done before.

He had her undressed in no time leaving her no chance to think about what was happening here. Next thing she knew he was as naked as on the day he was born pounding into her like mad and she was enjoying every single second of it, offering herself freely to his caresses and kisses, returning the favor more than equally and meeting his every thrust with one of her own until the waves of passion pushed her over the edge and had her screaming his name over and over again. He followed quickly, releasing himself deep within her body and shouting her name.

Afterwards they sank down the wall to the floor where she fell asleep lying atop of him.

*****

When she woke up a couple of hours later she was in his bed and he was lying behind her holding her close to him. She could feel his breath caressing her ear and despite her first impulse to just jump and run she stayed right where she was enjoying the feel of him so close to her. Her hand started stroking up and down the arm covering her belly when she felt his lips nuzzle her cheek then he whispered, "You alright?"

She turned in his embrace and instead of an answer just kissed him. "I love you, too, Chakotay. And I am sorry," she said then.

"I am sorry, too. But I was so mad at you that I didn't even think about what I was saying. Only when I was in the turbolift did I realize what had happened and that the whole crew had heard it."

"I guess I deserved it. And I probably needed to be pushed that far to finally come to my senses. When I came down here to your quarters I actually hoped for you to receive me the way you did." She grinned at that and added, "But next time you're back is against that wall, you hear me, Mister?"

"You mean, there is going to be a next time?" He sounded like an anxious child hoping for his Christmas wish to come true.

"Why, of course. Or did I wear you out already?"

"Kathryn...," he sighed in exasperation.

"I just hope you know what you've gotten yourself into, Chakotay. It won't be easy. *I* won't be easy to deal with. I am taking a big risk with this since it abides everything I have come to follow as Starfleet protocol and as Captain of a starship. Thou shall not sleep with your First Officer being one of the most important rules among other things."

"I know all that, Kathryn, and I think we can find a way. Hell, we already have in so many regards and if you ask me we were all but in a serious relationship ever since New Earth apart from the physical part that is."

"And what a nice part for that, don't you think?"

"Definitely." With a gleam in his eyes, he pulled her close for a passionate kiss when both their combadges started to chirp in his living room. A heartfelt groan emanated from both of them while he got up and fetched them.

"Chakotay here."

"Commander, this is Tuvok. I believe your presence is needed on the holodeck right now," the Vulcan said as emotionless as ever

"Is that really necessary?"

"I must insist, sir."

"I'm on my way. Chakotay out."

"And Commander?"

"Yes, Tuvok?"

"The Captain is needed, too. Would you please inform her? I was unable to contact her, I'm afraid."

"Will do. Chakotay out."

Janeway looked at him with a curious face. "Is it just me or do you think there's something going on?"

"We are talking about our crew from which most of the senior staff including one Tom Paris was present on the bridge a few hours ago. You bet there's something going on."

"Well, let's get dressed then. I hope you didn't rip anything apart."

"Uhm..."

"Chakotay... What did you do?"

"It's the jacket and turtle neck only. Really."

"Guess, I'll have to borrow one of your shirts then. You know I always wanted to wear that beige one you had with you on New Earth. You still have it?" she asked eagerly.

"Yes, I do. You said you always looked better in beige so I thought I'd better keep it - just in case." He grinned at her dumb face as he got up to get the shirt for her as well as the rest of her clothes from the living room.

"You sure you want to wear it? Everyone will know," he reminded her.

All she did was to look at him with that look saying, 'You got to be kidding me, right?'

He raised his hands in mock surrender and handed her the shirt.

*****

Fifteen minutes later they stood in front of holodeck 2 and Janeway requested, "Computer, open door."

It swished open and they came face to face with almost their whole crew wearing shy smiles and grins while seeing their commanding officers holding hands.

Tom stepped forward with a huge grin on his face and said, "We thought we'd throw a party to cheer you two up a little after the blow-out this afternoon but it looks like we're too late."

"Tom!" B'Elanna hissed elbowing him in the ribs.

"Let him live, B'Ela. It was a very nice idea and we appreciate it. As for the rest, well, I guess there's no further explanation needed than that Chakotay finally convinced me to give in to his courting if only to save the crew from his mood swings," Janeway replied steadily but couldn't quite hide the smile at the last words. Then she added, "Oh, and by the way, Tom and you are on the same shore leave rotation."

The End

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