Disclaimers: Property of Paramount/CBS. I've just nipped them for a wee bit. Shh..

AN: Big thank you to Moofie for beta'ing this for me. You are amazing as always!

Voyager had come across the planet Me'rankia after a plasma storm had made it impossible to navigate via their originally scheduled flight plan. Entering the sparsely populated space, they had been inundated with an endless stream of invitations that had flooded the comm lines. The Captain had been forced to accept most of the invitations from the ruling body or risk offending the inhabitants of the system.

The planetary council had requested that the command team, B'Elanna and Tom attend the evening fete after seeing them interact with each other during their meeting aboard Voyager. The Me'rankians lived in an advanced technological society, but had held onto the feudal system that had been passed on from one generation to the next by the elders of their culture. They had followed the rituals and traditions that had been created eons ago, relying on the warrior Lords to maintain the compact among the various strongholds upon each continent.

The Voyager couples had enthralled the council with their unguarded displayed affections towards only each other. An interesting difference between their cultures, as on Me'rankia each high lord would have multiple wives and consorts, the number of women within his private harem was a symbol of how much power he yielded in their society. The thought of being with only one partner had been alien to them, as they felt no one woman could satisfy all the needs that they had. When they found that Voyager was led by a female and had a male subservient, they had assumed that Chakotay was her slave and it had caused much debate as to why she would allow him so much freedom. It was only after seeing them interact with each other did they revise their original belief. He was too proud and too protective of Kathryn Janeway to be a mere slave. They had watched as he brought her food and drink, stood slightly behind her in deference to her title. They saw how she took comfort in his presence, her eyes searching for him when he wasn't at her side. Whenever they were together, their bodies were turned slightly to the other, drawing strength and reassurance from the other. It was then that the Merankian's saw that Chakotay was her chosen consort.

They had also noted that of all the crew that they had encountered during their meetings and gatherings aboard Voyager, only Tom and B'Elanna wore identical golden bands. They had been informed that the simple bands symbolized a union between the two, a promise of fidelity and love. Their curiosity rose as they watched the gruff engineer and the flirty pilot go about their day, eyes watching carefully to see if there were moments when the male would look at another woman with eyes burning of desire. Much to their surprise, he only looked upon his life mate with desire and love. All other women were barely awarded with a second glance, his gaze always respectful, if a little mischievous.

They were eager to observe both pair bonds away from the constricting environment of Voyager. Many of them were wagering as to what their reactions would be once they were exposed to the more sensual aspects of the Me'rankia culture, and an invitation was quickly forwarded to Voyager's Captain for this evening's meal.

Chakotay made his way down the brightly lit corridor, following the hovering amber light that had been sent by their hosts to guide him to the negotiation table. He wore a long, large robe that was double his size, the heavy material clung to his broad shoulders and fell to the just below his ankles. The lapel was a tawny fur; soft and supple to the touch. On his breast pocket, the image of what appeared to be a Gryffindor had been embroidered with golden strands, the eyes of the proud lion were a deep blood-red gem.

He chuckled as he remembered the guard's reaction to his question regarding having a smaller robe provided for his use. Rubbing his hands in anticipation, a wicked grin appeared and refused to abate. This was one negotiation he couldn't wait to get to. He only hoped that he would survive the aftermath.

They had been led into a large room and had paused to take in the luxury of their surroundings, their mouths parting slightly at the overly decorated room that resembled [a Victorian bedchamber, with its large floor to ceiling windows open to allow the mid-afternoon sun to shine into the room. A gentle breeze stirred and caused the gauzy drapes to flutter, pulling against the thick ties that held them in place. The marble-like walls where carved in an exotic mural of wild cats, a towering jungle and a waterfall. Tapestries of various beautiful women in seductive poses dressed the walls, all of them bearing a come-hither smile with hands raised towards an invisible lover.

The furniture was ornately carved and coated with a burgundy gloss. Knick-knacks were artfully arranged within easy reach if one desired to look upon them closely. The room had high ceilings edged with crown moldings, brushed with amber-gold paint to accent the elaborate scrolls and waves in the design. Everywhere that they looked the room was decorated in rich jeweled tones. from vibrant reds, lush greens, simmering blues, glittering golds and iciest silvers.

A large, three-panel screen rested at the far end of the room, its wood a rich burgundy, its with edges carved into scalloped ridges. Jewels and gold filament had been embedded over raised edges. The material of the screen changed from minute to minute, at times the silhouette of lovers locked together face to face and then at times, the male figure would be behind the female, his body looming over hers, one arm wrapped around her middle and the other cupping her breast as the female's head arched back against his shoulder, her mouth open in a silent cry of pleasure, forever immortalized.

Two large four-poster beds drew their attention almost immediately. They had thick mattresses, were covered in what appeared to be a velvet-covering, the one on the left shimmered in black and was accented in a deep coral. The other bedding was in the lightest shade of peaches and cream. Both had a tower of plump pillows, varying in color from white, gold, onyx, maroon, pearl and blood red, piled by the headboard. Thick drapes hung from silver rings across the sides of the bed, allowing them privacy if they chose to rest before meeting with their hosts.

In essence, the room pulsed with excessive sexuality. A vast difference FROM the dull grays and subdue colors that were the norm for Voyager.

"This is ridiculous!" B'Elanna snarled, pacing back and forth in the small anti-chamber that she and Kathryn had been led into to prepare for the evening meal.

An envelope floated up into Kathryn's hand and warmed under her touch, refusing to be ignored by the shocked woman. Kathryn quickly opened it and found instructions for them to follow.

"B'Elanna, the bed on the left is yours. Our hosts have provided us with the clothing that we are to wear tonight and you'll need to make sure that everything fits," Kathryn murmured, as she walked forward to her bed and picked up her attire. Her brow arched in disbelief at the sheer wrap, the satiny corset, the lacy underwear, thigh high stockings and garter belt that had been left for her to wear. A dozen de-thorned, cream colored roses lay nearby to be placed in her hair once it had been curled and left to lie around her bare shoulders. A pair of high-heeled ballet-like slippers completed her ensemble. A woven basket filled with rose petals, bath oils and soft bath clothes had been provided with instructions that they were to be used before dressing.

"Kah'less! They can't be serious," B'Elanna exclaimed glaring down at her choice for the evening. Her fingers clenched tightly over the offending material, as if to rend it. Her clothing was even less than the Captain's!

She held a lacy bra and sheer panties in a rich coral overlaid with black lace that had been woven into a flower pattern. There was hardly enough material in the entire bra to cover one of her breasts, Like the Captain, she had a been given a garter belt in the same fabric as her bra and panties, a pair of black silk stockings and a sheer covering that would draw ones attention instead of concealing her charms. A large, fluffy white feather had been placed by a pair of black, leather high heels finished off her costume. B'Elanna snarled furiously at the cheerful, beribboned basket that had jasmine blossoms and bath oils that seemed to mock her with its fluffy presence.

"There is no way that I'm going to be walking around with this little bit of dental floss and scrap of fabric," B'Elanna exploded, losing her temper and flinging the garments away from her, watching it flutter through the air, to fall inches away from her, taunting her from its prone position on the hardwood floor.

"Lieutenant, I understand that this away mission is a little different than most, but we can't risk offending the rulers of this planet. You know that they have supplies that we've short of, especially the galcite that you've been needing. We'll simply approach this by the book and try to ignore the unusual aspects to it," Kathryn said in a matter of fact voice. "Now, I suggest we both get ready. We only have an hour before we're to be summoned and judging by the list of things we have to do and it'll takes us almost that long."

"Aye, Captain," B'Elanna grumbled, grabbing her flimsy wear and growling softly.

Tom had been making his way to meet up with Chakotay when a bobbing sphere of light stopped in front of him. He tried to side step it, but stopped when it followed his every move. It spun away from him and began to travel down the corridor on the left.

Tom watched its progress, as it flew back to his side when he didn't immediately come after it, the light blinking rapidly until Tom started making his way after it. Following it down various corridors until it stopped before an ornate door. Pushing it open, he entered.

"Turn around, B'Elanna, I need to fix your strap. It's twisted."

B'Elanna stood still, feeling Kathryn's hand slide the sheer covering down until it rested on the aggravating strap. She shivered as the scant protection was removed and she felt the small breeze that flew in from the partially open window to brush over her flesh. Goosebumps rose and she held tight to the thin material, as gentle hands untwisted the mangled lace and smoothed it down to lie flat on her skin. At Kathryn's soft murmur that she was done, B'Elanna drew up the silky covering.

"Wait, I'll need to place the feather," Kathryn ordered as B'Elanna made to step away, reaching down on the bed and grabbing the large brush. She brushed out the dark strands, her fingers pulling at a few strands and turning into curls. A quick spray of one of the bottles and her hair was set. "All set. Except for one more thing." She said gesturing at lone item on the bedside table.

"What is that?" B'Elanna asked pointing at the round, crystal container filled with a creamy powder that had specks of gold in it. A fluffy pompom lay beside it, coated in a glittery white dust.

"Honey dust," Kathryn replied, her lips pursing into a small moue, "We're suppose to brush it all over our bodies, until we're 'anointed by its heavenly glow'. Our hosts also mention that it's edible."

B'Elanna shot her a look, "Are we here to negotiate for things or act like concubines to those p'taks that we beamed down with? I can just see it, 'Oh, Tom, I'm all sugary sweet. Why don't you lick my body clean?'" She mocked in a sarcastic voice.

"B'Elanna, just put the powder on," Kathryn ordered with a smirk. Her smirk faded and her breathing deepened as she thought of what Chakotay would do if she approached him dressed like this. Was this how he had fantasized she would look? Dressed in the finest fabrics and lace, her body ready to be devoured by his gaze with a few pulls of strings and a simple push of fabric away to reveal the creamy flesh hidden beneath. Would his eyes darken with desire or would he pull away from her, wondering what had happened to his best friend. Too many years had passed with them in limbo, neither moving for fear of disrupting their carefully crafted house of cards that allowed them to be together without being in a relationship; there were times when all she wanted was to break free of what they were and take things to the next level. Until the cool voice of logic broke through her musings and reminded her of her duties, to her crew and Starfleet, until she wanted to nothing more than strangle it.

Distractedly, Kathryn began to brush the scented powder over herself, pausing as a trail of fire began to ignite everywhere the golden dust laid. She breathed deeply, her cheeks flushing and her lids sliding partially closed as the effects strummed throughout her body, leaving it a mass of sensitive nerves that begged to be touched. A soft moan escaped her as the sensation of callused hands ran across her skin. At first, she had stiffened at the imagined invasion and fought against its pull, until a rich aroma wrapped around her, calming her in its wake. Its scent earthy…. raw... familiar… Chakotay., She purred softly, marveling at his touch, letting it sooth and arouse her. Forgetting for a moment where she was, Kathryn let herself become lost in the chasm of desire. Kathryn arched as sensation of lips grazed her collarbone and traveled downwards to suckle at her breast. Her nipples hardening and throbbing as lips and teeth teased the plump nubs. She clutched the bedpost, her knees trembling and growing weak with each pull and nip that her invisible lover placed on her. 'Chakotay…'

"Interesting negotiations tactics. We get to freeze our asses off and the men are cozy in large size robes." B'Elanna muttered, eyeing the soft feather in her hand warily and waving it about to see it flutter in the air.

Kathryn silently protested as the sensations stopped, that is until B'Elanna's irate voice drew her back to herself and she blushed.

"Are you alright, Captain? You look a little flushed," B'Elanna asked, eyeing her carefully.

"Fine," Kathryn replied, clearing her throat. "Just a little…"

"Undressed? Freezing? Embarrassed as hell?"

"I was going to say uncomfortable. How did women wear these torture devices?" Kathryn moaned agitatedly, shifting as the wires dug into her ribs, pinching and compressing the incased flesh. She'd rather be tied down and made to listen to one of Seven's monotonous reports than be subjected to this! She looked down and stared at the overflowing mound of flesh that threatened to spill free from the lacy bra. 'I could easily have smothered Chakotay with these,' she sniggered, her mind flashing an image of herself with Chakotay, his hands on her waist and his lips nuzzling the curves of her breast, making his way to the valley between. Her breath caught and her surroundings grew dim as she became lost in her fantasy. His lips trailed over the plump curves, teasing the flesh and pulling it gently into the moist haven of his mouth, pulling away after leaving behind a small strawberry shaped mark. She trembled as she felt the vibrations of his softly uttered words, she whimpered at the throbbing ache that resonated with each low growl that he made. Her knees weakened and she grabbed hold of the thick, bedpost.

"Because they had no choice, Captain," B'Elanna snarled, missing the fact that her Captain was no longer listening to her words as B'Elanna was pacing agitatedly around the room, wanting desperately to throw something at the chauvinistic, prehistoric Neanderthals that they had to trade with. "Men love seeing women all dolled up. Wrapped up like little presents for them to open. Pigs."

Kathryn shook her head trying to clear it free of the fog that had consumed her only moments before. She looked over at B'Elanna and fought a smile as the long feather fell over to cover her eyes and she watched as B'Elanna blew it, snarling in frustration as it continued to fall down, brushing against her lids.

"Don't break it, B'Elanna," Kathryn cautioned, seeing the peevish pout on her Chief Engineer's face. "I have confidence that you can handle this mission, B'Elanna. Besides, it's only for a few hours."

"Humph," B'Elanna muttered, "Only a few hours. They probably expect us to be simpering idiots."

"I doubt that, Lt. Come on, we wouldn't want to keep our hosts waiting." Kathryn ordered, walking slowly towards the door, her hips swaying with each step, unknowingly enticing the hidden figure behind the screen.

"Can we at least cover ourselves with a blanket?" B'Elanna pleaded.

"No, only what was left with us," Kathryn replied, shaking her head ruefully, "At least there's one good thing about this away mission."

"Captain?"

"I guess I can finally answer the question whether Chakotay prefers boxer or briefs," Kathryn replied with a wicked snicker, laughing as she heard B'Elanna's straggled exclamation of surprise.

The End

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