Disclaimer: I don't own this stuff. I just write about it. xD

Special Thanks to:

My readers - all of ya'. You're so cool, even when I write corny fictions like this one.

Paramount, even though I'm not forgiving yo for cutting off JxC.

And God, from whom my talent comes!

---------------------------------------------------------

"And, ah. Just how many is that?"

"I lost count when you got into the twenties."

She laughed, brushing auburn hair from her eyes. "Would you like me to spare you the humiliation of finishing this game?"

"And deprive you of sweet defeat? Never."

"You have got to be kidding. You've scored a grand total of three points against me. I'm shaking with fear...Or maybe it's uncontrollable laughter--Ah!" Kathryn Janeway jumped backward as the man facing her shot the holographic hovering Velocity piece back toward her, and fired her own phaser back at it.

"Impressive," Chakotay said, amused, as he fired again.

"Well I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

"Oh, I know. You're also a blood-sucking monster behind that feminine mask--hey!" he laughed, the object nearly hitting him in the head when she returned it indignantly. "...Was it something I said?"

"No...I just don't like you." She shrugged.

This banter went on for a good twenty minutes more as the Velocity game continued. Finally, the grand master slipped up, quite literally. Her first officer had fired the piece in the opposite direction from her, just to make it challenging.

She accepted it, too. Smirking, she started running the length of the Holodeck, which they had widened for the game, and slid to a halt, sending him into laughter again. Janeway fired it back, and he did the same thing, shoot in the other direction. She sighed and started running again, but somehow, for some reason, she slipped, right next to him.

They both fell backward, and she ended up sitting in his lap. One look at eachother and they both started laughing. "...You didn't have to push me over, you know. You could have just asked to sit down..." he said, trying to stop laughing.

"I'll remember that," she replied dryly, pushing herself into a more comfortable position.

"Whatever happened to that childhood ballet grace you used to have?"

"...I resent that." Janeway sighed, looking back to see his warmly smiling face, and grinned as well. "Sorry," she said, trying to stand and ending up falling back into his lap with a yelp.

"Grace." It was all he had to say. When they were standing, she pushed him back down to the floor.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"I told you. I don't like you." She smirked. "Computer, end Program." She turned to him with a real smile when he was on his feet, the hologrid returning to its original size. "Join me for lunch?"

"Are you cooking?"

"No...I'm taking less of a risk and going with Neelix' cooking."

"In that case, I would love to." He smiled back.

She frowned at him. "...I resent that, too...But since you're just so lovable and not to mention the fact that I'd get very lonely without you, I'll still allow you to dine with me."

"I'm honered that the high and mighty Captain Janeway would be so kind as to take the time to mingle with the little people like me." He bowed, low and teasingly.

"You better watch that mouth of yours, Maquis," Janeway mused. "It'll earn you a one way ticket to the brig. And believe me, I've been there. It isn't fun."

"Yes, ma'am." He grinned and offered his arm, which she took.

Return to Top