Solaris

A/N: Sorry it's been a little while since my last post…I had to take a brief hiatus to go see Star Wars in a town that's an hour or so away, so I stayed with friends for two days, and then my excuse for Saturday is that I was out with my mommy. J I finally got a new bookshelf (grand total is one tall one, one three shelf one, and two short two shelf ones…if you're counting. And there are still books on the floor. I think there will always be books on the floor. sigh) So the room is coming along, as is this fic. I'm again, so gracious to all of you for reading! I wouldn't write if no one enjoyed my fics. Okay, I'd write, but I wouldn't post them. Haha.

Linwe Ringeril - Cuddly way…in this chapter at least. ;) I never really write smut, but I may have to change the rating of the story…haha. I'm considering doing it now. Oh, and I still enjoy your reviews!

Aseawen - Special props for belated ch. 5 review I remember that episode…lol the pot roast…good times. I can just picture you (even though I have no idea who you are) going "I christen/dub thee, FREDERICK!" Long reviews rock, and so do you!

Irisis - Thank you SO much! It's so nice to hear that I write in character and that you like my writing! I'm glad you found my story!

Lennexa: I'm all about cute + fluffy. I think I've only had deaths in one fic I wrote, and they weren't main characters. Enjoy!

Angelbaby10105 - J Thanks.

Sandrine's

Sandrine's grand opening was the largest event to hit the planet since its colonization. The entire ship turned out, making Tom glad that he'd built it for just that capacity.

Kathryn searched through the wardrobe Chakotay had built for them. When their relationship began, he decided not to build the other bedroom, but rather to expand the existing one. He'd also made them a double bed, and Kathryn was working on a quilt for it.

"I can't find anything to wear," She complained aloud. Chakotay was in the bathroom.

"Why don't you just replicate something new to wear? We hardly use the replicator, so we can spare it," came his advice from the tub.

She searched through the patterns and found a sun dress that she liked. With the press of a button it materialized in front of her. Truly amazing.

"You know, for all the love of building and sewing for oneself, I can't say I mind replicating clothes. If I had to sew them myself I'd probably go naked." She laughed.
Chakotay emerged from the bathroom and put his arms around her, kissing her cheek. "I can't say I'd mind that."

She brushed him off so she could get dressed. They still had not shared that one thing, though she wasn't afraid to change in front of him.

He zipped the dress for her, and she spun around, letting him admire it. "Do you like it?" She asked.

"Of course I do, I like anything when it's combined with you," he said, poetically, stealing another kiss from her.

They headed to Sandrine's and were amazed at the crowd. Everyone was huddled around the outside, and no one was moving.

"What's going on?" Chakotay asked Harry.

"Tom won't let anyone in yet…he's going to make some kind of huge speech or something and then admit us."

"Someone aught to admit him," Chakotay kidded, laughing. He was holding Kathryn's hand, and neither noticed, though the crewmen around them did. Harry's eyes widened as he saw, but he said nothing, excusing himself to go chat with another group of people.

Tom gave his grand speech, welcoming everyone to Sandrine's fantastic opening. He was sure they would do wonderful business (which elicited a laugh) and that everyone would enjoy themselves. Drinks were on the house for one night only. Everyone chuckled, since they hadn't bothered to form a currency or trade based society.

Chakotay laid an arm across Kathryn's shoulders, again blind to the action. They were so used to acting comfortable with each other behind closed doors that they still felt natural. Even Tom noticed this, from up on stage, and gave a quick, dimpled grin before handing the floor over to the Doctor and Seven, who were singing and playing, respectively.

"Chakotay, Kathryn, good to see you," Tom said, greeting them warmly. "See, I knew I'd get it eventually," he winked at Janeway.

"Tom, you've done an amazing job with this place," Kathryn told him. The interior was beautifully done.

"Well, I had some help," Tom told her, looking at Chakotay. He almost choked when he noticed that his hand was stroking his former captain's shoulder. "Will you excuse me? I'm going to go find B'Elanna."

Tom raced over to the bar.
"There he is, the man of the hour," B'Elanna announced, raising her drink and getting up her comrades to applaud him.

"I need to talk to you," he whispered, graciously thanking everyone for their praise.

"What is it?" She asked, worried.

"Nothing bad…it's just. The captain and Chakotay."

"This again?" B'Elanna groaned. "Sometimes I think you care more about them having a relationship than you do us."

"That's just it…I think they have one."

Her eyes widened. "Those rumors have been going around forever, and they were false."

"Were false," Tom told her. "But since we came here and they started living together, something happened. The whole time I was talking to them he had his arm around her. I don't think he even noticed."

B'Elanna couldn't hide her smile. "Good."

"Good?" Tom asked.

"Yeah, it's about time they did something about their feelings, so good for them," B'Elanna said, taking a sip of her drink.

Tom smirked. "And what about our feelings? Don't you think it's time for us to do something about them as well?"

She looked at him, confused. They were already seeing each other.

Tom smiled, pushing something toward her on the counter. "I'm talking about marriage, B'Elanna. Will you marry me?"

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was saying at the same time as she saw the ring beneath his fingers. Smiling and fighting back tears, which were unusual for her, she threw her arms around him.

"Tom, of course I will." She fought her more violent, Klingon affections from coming through, and gave him a short kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too, B'Elanna." He kissed her again, placing the ring on her finger. "Give me a minute," he said, pulling away from her.

She looked at him quizzically, but he'd already leapt on top of the bar. He built it, so she imagined it was okay…

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement," Tom yelled over the crowd. It was true in form to very old earth engagements. "This lovely lady," he motioned to B'Elanna, "has just agreed to be my bride."

The crowd went wild with excitement. It would be the first wedding on Solaria, and such a fitting one at that.

Tom climbed down. "I wanted to make this the best night of my life," he explained. "So I opened my first bar, asked you to marry me, and then made the biggest deal out of telling everyone as I could."

B'Elanna looked at him as tenderly as a Klingon could. "You're a diva, Tom, but I love you despite it….or for it. Come here," she ordered, pulling him into another kiss.

Chakotay and Kathryn watched them. "Don't get any ideas," he warned her.

Kathryn smiled. "I don't think we're quite ready for that one yet." Their hands joined on the table top, and she frowned, slightly. "I have this feeling that we weren't being too discreet tonight."

Chakotay smiled at her. "Well, I don't mind if you don't."

She laughed. "I don't mind at all." Their faces drew closer and closer, until they kissed. It was the first time they'd done that in the presence of anyone, let alone the entire crew compliment.

Those that didn't witness it themselves heard about it they next day. They were the talk of the town, along with Tom and B'Elanna's wedding plans.

To be continued….

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