STAR TREK: VOYAGER HUNTERS TRILOGY

Part One "For One Night"

Chakotay and Janeway left her ready room arms entwined.

Tom Paris, who had not left to join Belanna grinned and turned his gaze towards the view screen before rising to join them in the turbo lift.

Kathryn Janeway had not looked at her first officer since leaving her ready room. She had told him about Mark's Dear John letter, it took every bit of her self control not to cry as she fought to paraphrase Mark's words.

Mark her fiancée had married someone he worked with. It hurt but she knew there was a strong possibility he would have moved on it was only her pride that was really hurt.

Chakotay was, and she scolded herself for the thought both handsome and wise. He was also the closest to her in age on the ship, a very important factor when considering any sort of long term relationship. At most her relationship with Chakotay was friendship. She had spent many a sleepless night on New Earth considering the possibilities. The had been stuck there for what looked like there rest of their lives. She was having difficulty with four years and no sex. But none for the rest of her life. No! Kathryn had by the time Tuvok had contacted them realised that it was only a matter of time before she and Chakotay became intimate.

The turbo lift came to a stop and all three exited heading in the direction of the mess hall.

Neelix had gone to a lot of trouble. The mess hall was garishly decorated in green with orange with splashes of red and blue. The streamers fell from the ceiling like petals on the wind.

"My god", Kathryn's jaw dropped as she spoke. She stared open mouthed at Neelix.

She smiled and turned to find Chakotay observing her he had a distant look in his eyes. She did not dare to meet his gaze, instead she shifted position grasping a glass of punch.

"Neelix you've done a wonderful job on such short notice", she smiled and turned towards her darkly handsome First Officer.

"I am glad you appreciate it Captain"

"Don't Suppose you have prepared some food"

"Captain you of all people should know I am always prepared".

She couldn't help herself she laughed and took a sip from her punch.

Kathryn felt a strong arm on her shoulder, she turned to fine her First Officer's hand there.

"Neelix got his hand out for this spread"

Chakotay was smiling openly at her. He had a look about him that would have any other woman running for cover. Not Kathryn Janeway she had never run from a challenge and she was not about to break the habit of a lifetime at any price.

Kathryn flicked a errant strand of titan hair behind her ear and gulped down the remaining contents of her punch, before re-filling it again.

"Kathryn that's real alcohol", Chakotay was smiling again. She hadn't realised.

"Right Thanks"

Neelix approached her a large plate of snacks in hand. Kathryn ate three pieces of what looked like fish in pastry. She didn't dare ask exactly what was in it, best not to know. She gulped down yet another glass of punch in a vain attempt to distract her thoughts from the potently sexy Indian who was standing beside her.

Chakotay was exactly sure how he was going to handle the Captain. He knew only that the conversation that Neelix had interrupted in her Ready Room needed to be completed.

Janeway moved away from Chakotay towards the punch bowl for a re-fill.

"Commander", Neelix interrupted When Janeway had moved out of earshot. "Does she know that's read alcohol?"

"Yes Neelix, maybe she wants to relax and let her hair down a little"

"Well sir its ninety percent proof".

What Neelix meant to say and didn't was that the concoxion he'd made was lethal.

Chakotay walked over to Kathryn "Kathryn I'd like a word in private"

"Sure Commander"

He tentatively placed one hand under her elbow he could sense her balance was slightly off. Which meant the alcohol was having the desired effect and Kathryn was a coffee not alcohol drinker.

As they left the Mess Hall Kathryn turned to look once again at her seductively attractive companion.

"The party was only starting Commander"

"That may very well be the case but you've had the equivalent of two bottles of wine in fifteen minutes. Kathryn no one drinks Neelix's punch its lethal". he realised at that moment how difficult telling him about Marks letter had been for her.

"Were you talking to me Commander", Kathryn nudged his ribs as she spoke.

"I am walking you to your quarters Kathryn you are going to have a hell of a headache in the morning"

"Great"

Upon reaching her quarters Kathryn turned to him and smiled. "Come on in I'll replicate some espresso".

Something in Chakotay's brain mad him hesitate he wasn't sure what exactly. "Maybe another time Captain"

"Come on Chakotay I'll not poison you", he laughed and stepped through her door step.

Kathryn placed her hands one on each of Chakotay's shoulders. Raised herself onto her tippy toes and placed a tender kiss on his lips.

Her touch was light inexplicably gentle it shook Chakotay. The sheer strength of his attraction towards her hit him full on he lowered his head taking her face in his hands as he returned the kiss. Finally succumbing to their passion Kathryn and Chakotay quickly disposed of each other's clothing. Their lovemaking was frenzied, animalistic. Both sated they lay in each other's arms bodies entwined. No words were spoken, sleep came quickly to both.

End Part One