Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and all and everything is owned by Paramount / CBS.

A/N 1: Written for Ewige Studentin for the Secret Santa Exchange on VAMB in December 2008.

This was her request: "I would like to get a FUNNY drabble/ficlet/story of any length, pairing, or rating."

While this is not a 'knee – slapper' I hope I brought a smile to her face.

A/N 2: A big thank to Sira and Cori for their wonderful beta services. Any remaining mistakes are mine, mine, MINE!!! BUWHAHAHAHAHA *cough*

Another big thanks to Sira and Ria for hosting the Secret Santa! *hugs*

Five Dates To Christmas

Kathryn Janeway folded the last piece of clothing, and placed it in the open bag before her, before she zipped the pack closed and put it aside. She would pack the last toiletries in the morning, just before disembarking.

She then picked the empty coffee cup up that stood on her nightstand and made her way over to the replicator to get a refill. On her way, she ran her hands over the storage containers that were lined up in her living room already filled with her personal belongings. It had surprised her, that it had taken that long to pack them. She wouldn't have thought it possible to gather that many mementos on their journey, but obviously she had been wrong. Either that, or it seemed Voyager's captain was a real pack rat.

Kathryn came finally to a halt in front of her replicator, when her door chime rang

"Come!" she commanded, and turned to see who wanted to seek entrance. A smile showed on her lips when she saw the familiar form of her first officer, standing in the doorway.

Or better yet, former first officer. I'll need some time to get used to that, she thought wryly.

"Chakotay!" she exclaimed. "Just come in and make yourself comfortable. I'm sorry for the mess," she said, pointing to the storage containers. "They'll be transported tomorrow morning. I was just getting myself a fresh cup of coffee; can I get you some? Now, with all these rations, I can finally pay you back for all the rations I stole … uhm I meant you lent me."

Chakotay chuckled as he sat down on her couch.

"I'll take a herbal tea please, thank you. And my quarters are looking just the same. Isn't it amazing how much stuff we gathered over all these years? I never thought I'd need so many storage containers."

"I was thinking the same thing, actually, just before you came," Kathryn laughed. "I'm relieved though, that I'm not the only one," she continued as she placed a steaming mug in front of him.

With a soft sigh, she settled down next to him and turned slightly so she couldn't only watch him, but also the blue and green orb that shone just outside the view port.

"Even though I always thought I'd remembered Earth quite clearly, I'd forgotten how beautiful it is," Kathryn admitted.

"Yes, I know what you mean," Chakotay said, as the turned his head to take a look at the planet, too.

They sat in silence for a while, each sipping their beverage.

"So, do you already have any plans for your vacation?" Chakotay finally broke the silence.

"Not really. I'll meet my family again tomorrow. My mother organized "a little get – together" of the Janeway clan. But knowing her there'll probably be over fifty people," Kathryn chuckled. "And you? Anything planned?"

"Not for the next two weeks. I'll meet my sister after the New Year's celebrations. She would've liked to come, but she is giving birth soon, so she isn't in the condition to travel," Chakotay explained, while he took a sip of his tea.

"Sekaya is already in her ninth month? My, the time flies. I remember like it was yesterday that you burst into my Ready Room, bragging about that you'd be an uncle again soon!" she laughed at the memory.

"Yes, I remember," he chuckled too. "Well, I thought …. I mean, I wanted to ask you, if you'd like to go out with me, once you're settled," he fidgeted with the now empty cup in his hands.

"Is that an invitation to a date?" Kathryn teased him.

"Maybe," he smiled, letting his dimples show.

"I'd love to," she said and gave him one of her beautiful smiles.

"I'm happy you said yes. How about the day after tomorrow?" He suggested.

"Sounds good," Kathryn nodded.

"Good," he stood up. "I should leave now. We'll all have a busy day tomorrow.

"Yes," she too stood up and accompanied him to the door. "That we do."

"Good night, Kathryn. And welcome home," he said, as the doors swished open and he stepped into the empty corridor.

"Good night, Chakotay."