Playing The Odds

by Anne T.M

Captain Janeway finds out about a certain betting pool, and in particular betting line #146. This was written for the PADD fiction contest where the entire story had to be told through communication on PADDs. It's important to read carefully including the to and from parts.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns all the characters.

Synopsis: Captain Janeway finds out about a certain betting pool, and in particular betting line #146. This was written for the PADD fiction contest

Rated PG

Playing The Odds
By: Anne T.M.

To: Commander Chakotay
From: Captain Janeway
Subject: #146
Location: Bridge
Time: 0900

Have you seen line #146 of Mr. Paris' latest plot?

To: Captain Janeway
From: Curious
Subject: Plot
Location: Ready Room
Time: 0905

No, I have not. Is it anything interesting?

To: Curious
From: Annoyed
Subject: Plot II
Location: Bridge
Time: 0907

I don't think it is interesting! It is insulting!

To: Agitated
From: Even more curious
Subject: Insulting?
Location: Ready Room
Time: 0910

Stop pacing and sit down so you can give me the details. We found out a while ago that he was "discreetly" running a little betting pool. I thought we agreed that it would be good for morale.

To: Mr. Takes things too lightly
From: The woman who can make your life a living hell
Subject: Betting Pool
Location: Bridge
Time: 9:15

I don't need to sit down! I don't want to stop pacing! And this is not good for my morale!

#146 – Captain Janeway will kiss Commander Chakotay in the mess hall. Choose the correct date and approximate time to win.

To: Hot Lips
From: Ready, willing and able
Subject: Kiss
Location: Ready Room
Time: 0919

What are the odds?

To: The Dreamer
From: Not a Chance In Hell
Subject: Odds
Location: Bridge
Time: 0923

Who cares? The only betting Mr. Paris should concern himself with is how long he will be in the brig! How dare he have people betting on my personal life!

To: Not Thinking Clearly
From: The Opportunist
Subject: The KISS
Location: Ready Room
Time: 0927

Just name the date and time and I will be there with my lips puckered!

To: Fantasy king
From: Protocol Queen
Subject: The Never Going to Happen Kiss
Location: Bridge
Time: 0930

Are you crazy?

To: The Dense Captain
From: Her Crafty First Officer
Subject: 20:1 Odds
Location: Ready Room
Time: 0933

Kathryn, just name the DATE and TIME and I will be there!

To: Tactical Genius
From: Repentant Soul
Subject: Showtime
Location: Bridge
Time: 0935

Today, 1230.

p.s. You are brilliant.

To: Mr. Paris
From: Captain Janeway
Subject: Bridge Duty
Location: Helm
Time: 1200

Commander Chakotay and I will be going to lunch. Please take the bridge until Mr. Kim returns.

To: Tom
From: Harry
Subject: Command Team
Location: Mess Hall
Time: 1234

You will not believe what just happened! Captain Janeway kissed Commander Chakotay!

To: Nice Try
From: Not that gullible
Subject: Non-kiss
Location: Mess hall
Time: 1236

I know I'm here all by myself and bored out of my mind but I am not that bored! Tell B'Elanna or whoever helped you cook this up that it was a nice try but you have to do better than that to out scheme a master schemer like me.

To: The soon to be poor Lt. Paris
From: An Eye Witness
Subject: THE KISS
Location: Bridge
Time: 1240

You are just jealous because you were not here to see it!

To: My Supposed Best Friend
From: Scared
Subject: Dramatic Turn of Events
Location: Mess hall
Time: 1243

I WANT DETAILS! But it doesn't matter anyway. No one placed a bet on line #146 in a few weeks. I check the data every morning, noon and night.

To: The Idiot (Who probably hasn't checked them since this morning)
From: A Mere Acquaintance After This
Subject: Reality
Location: Bridge
Time: 1246

They had just finished eating lunch and were walking up to recycle their trays before they left. She slipped and her tray went flying as she started to fall. He grabbed her hand to stop her from falling but as he did, some of the food hit his face. Once she righted herself she leaned over and kissed his lips that were dashed with pudding. Then she quickly sauntered out of the mess hall. Since you drilled me over and over about the importance of this event, I checked the time. The kiss occurred at exactly 1230.

To: Mr. Non-Loyal
From: Deep In Trouble
Subject: Line #146
Location: Opps
Time: 1255

Shit! You were right. I just checked the betting logs and someone placed a bet this morning for today's date at 1230. I am still trying to decipher who it was. Oh my god! You won't believe it. It was Captain Janeway!

To: "The Master Schemer"
From: Someone You Barely Know
Subject: Coincidence
Location: Helm
Time: 1259

What a coincidence. Ha, ha!

To: Naivety Personified
From: Not beaten yet
Subject: No such thing
Location: Opps
Time: 1002

There is no such thing as coincidence. I think she tried to set me up and I am about to call her on it. She won't be drinking coffee on me! Here she comes, now.

To: The Esteemed Captain Janeway
From: Lt. Paris
Subject: Bet
Location: Bridge
Time: 1004

Very impressive, Captain. Unfortunately, I don't believe it for a second.

To: ENSIGN Paris
From: HIS BOSS
Subject: Integrity
Location: Helm
Time: 1006

Are you calling me a liar?

To: My Wonderful Boss
From: Humble Employee Paris
Subject: Integrity
Location: Bridge
Time: 1008

Never! I know exactly what happened but before I can pay up, I need to remind you of rule Number 7. "No staged acts shall constitute a completed or viable action." So, as you see Captain, until I have proof that that was a REAL kiss I am afraid I cannot pay you.

To: Doubting Thomas
From: Deeply Offended
Subject: Proof
Location: Helm
Time: 1010

What type of proof will satisfy you, since 50 eyewitnesses is not enough?

To: Partner in Crime
From: The Co-conspirator
Subject: The Scam
Location: First Officer's Office
Time: 1012

I assume you have gotten a copy of all the communiqués. I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. I think it is time for you to contact the Doctor.

To: The Captain
From: Skeptical
Subject: Authenticity
Location: Bridge
Time: 1015

It is not that I do not trust your word or theirs but with the magnitude of the payout it is my duty to be careful. And no, the smile on Chakotay's face is not proof enough.

To: Walking a Thin Line

From: My Last Nerve

Subject: Duty

Location: Helm (but soon to be Brig)

Time: 1019

Duty is an interesting choice of words considering that you are questioning my integrity concerning a completely illegal activity. Proof is on the way. Then I expect payment in full to be in my account by dinner, Mister Paris.

To: The Fool

From: The Doctor

Subject: Proof

Location: Helm

Time: 1030

Please download the enclosed file. It should provide all the proof you need. Though as to why you would question the Captain's word is beyond me.

To: Mr. Paris

From: Captain Janeway

Subject: Decorum

Location: Helm

Time: 1035

Please close your mouth. You look ridiculous. You act like you have never seen a sonogram picture before. I'll be in my ready room awaiting payment.

To: Chakotay

From: Kathryn

Subject: Dinner

Location: Bridge

Time: 0300

Dinner tonight? Of course! It's on me. I have enough rations to feed an army. Do you think we should invite the Doctor to celebrate with us? After all he is the one who came up with the "evidence". How is Tom doing?

To: Kathryn

From: Chakotay

Subject: Tom

Location: Ready Room

Time: 0305

Tom must still be stunned because he hasn't said a word all day. We can invite the Doctor for desert but I would rather have you all to myself for a while. I must say that I was impressed with the Doctor's "improvising" skills. I was afraid that his ethical subroutines might have prevented him from helping us.

p.s. What happens in a few months when it becomes obvious that you are not pregnant?

To: Pudding Lips

From: Hungry

Subject: The Scam

Location: Bridge

Time: 0315

Maybe by then it will be true. See you tonight.

The End