Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and its characters belong to Paramount, the writers, and whoever else can legally claim it. I am writing for fun and not profit. I'll return them to their owners if I can ever manage to convince them they'll be happier there.
AN: Getting near the end here, because unless I start tossing more problems at them I really can't drag this out much longer, lol. But as it's always bugged me when long stories just ignore anything but the romantic interactions of the two main characters and/or what's going on with all the other characters, it's time to hang with the rest of them some more, both on and off duty. I'm thinking just one more part after this one.
The Gratitude Festival is seen multiple times on DS9, the opening ceremony is taken from that series' "Fascination." There is to my knowledge no official translation, but I've made a guess that I like. The renewal scrolls and idea of the Festival were just so perfect at this point in the story. (And yeah, I'm a few months off on when it should take place, call it fanfic license.)
Parts of You
By Lady Callista
=/\=
Chapter Eight: Kiss Me (And Shock Into Silence People Who Have Seen Pretty Much Everything)
=/\=
At 1000 the next morning, the senior staff assembled for their normal daily briefing.
"Good morning, everyone." Kathryn greeted them as she strode into the room, cutting off the various conversations that had been going on as they waited for her. Everyone echoed her greeting as she crossed to her seat at the head of the table, the hand she brushed across Chakotay's shoulder as she passed behind him noticed by everyone but commented upon by no one.
"Let's get all the updates out of the way before I explain a few things about yesterday that I'm sure everyone is curious about." Kathryn started as she took a sip of the coffee that had been sitting by her chair, tossing Chakotay a grateful look. "Lieutenant Torres?"
"Well, all things considered, we actually took minimal damage during the attack yesterday. Warp and impulse power, all tactical systems, transporters, and all other secondary systems are fine." B'Elanna reported in a wry voice. "The damage consisted of two hull breaches, on decks one and two, which also blew the power relays and half a dozen other systems on deck two. The breach on deck two was actually fairly small, it just hit in exactly the wrong spot. The breach on deck one was…"
Tom reached over and squeezed her hand as she took a deep breath, her hand shaking slightly.
She cast a grateful look in his direction before continuing, "The breach on deck one struck dead center on the ready room, taking out nearly a three-meter diameter circle of the ceiling. In other words, over half the ceiling. The external emergency forcefield failed within a second of the hit, overloaded, but the secondary forcefields in the walls as well as several emergency bulkheads closing prevented further damage. Both breaches have been repaired, as well as all the complications on deck two. Although we did completely exhaust our stores of hull compounds, so let's try not to let anyone punch more holes in the hull until we can stock up again."
Kathryn nodded, a slight smile gracing her face at the humorous note B'Elanna tried to interject at the end. No one else smiled however, and she sighed.
"Compile a full list of all the metals we need, we'll be sure to keep an eye out." Kathryn said softly. "Mr. Paris?"
"We've been holding position inside a Class T nebula for almost 24 hours, no problems from that. Engineering corrected the issue with the starboard nacelle when they did all their other repairs, and it's good to go again." Tom gave both the helm and medical updates. "There were three injuries yesterday caused by the hull breach on deck two, all three crewmen have been released from sickbay and will make full recoveries. Two are already back on duty, the third was ordered to not return to duty for 48 hours from the incident. The hull breach on deck one caused no injuries."
Chakotay sighed as Paris looked straight at him on the last sentence, and said briefly, "We'll get to that at the end, Tom." He did understand why everyone was waiting for his report, but he and Kathryn had spent over an hour the night before talking about everything and deciding what it was safe to tell everyone. And how to make it so that certain things got left out of reports.
Tuvok's tactical report simply stated that although one on one Voyager easily outmatched the ships from yesterday, it would likely be a losing battle if they faced five or more at a time. There was a possibility of outrunning them, as they seemed to only be capable of Warp 7, but they also had no idea how long it would take them to cross the Ungoliant Empire's space, or if they had bigger and faster ships.
Kim suggested and received approval for several scanning protocols once they exited the nebula, focused on watching for cloaked ships.
Chakotay sighed as everyone's eyes turned to him. "Due to an incident that I can't explain due to the Temporal Prime Directive, I know that it's a very bad idea for us to try to go through the Ungoliant Empire. However, I don't know anything else about it. We need to gather more information on this Empire, find out just how large their territory is and how easily we can go around it."
"Seven, Harry, once we leave the nebula I want full long range scans of the area. Look for any ships, other than the Ungoliant ones obviously, or any M-class planets. Hopefully we'll run into someone who can give us an idea of their territory." Kathryn pulled everyone's eyes back to her. "Tom, we'll travel on a course perpendicular to our previous heading and hope we don't accidentally cross the line. Any questions?"
"Ummm." Tom half-jokingly raised a hand. "Want to shed any light on your rather unusual entrance to the bridge yesterday? I've never heard anyone except my lady here call Chakotay a petaQ."
Kathryn actually flushed slightly. She had hoped no one had heard that over the klaxons. "Let's just say that particular event is also related to a temporal issue, and that it should not be mentioned in any logs. The Commander and I walked on to the bridge after being told of the hail, and that's all I want to hear about it."
The rest of the senior staff exchanged glances, curiosity shifting to understanding the instant the captain said not to mention it in logs. Tight-lipped smiles and nods passed around the table as they all realized both what must have happened, and that they would have acted the same way. Although no one was surprised when Tuvok spoke up.
"Captain, I feel it is my duty to remind you that any violation of the Temporal Prime Directive must be documented, and the offending crewmember reprimanded." Tuvok said calmly, an eyebrow raised.
"I am aware of the directive, Mr. Tuvok." Kathryn said calmly. "Would you believe me if I said there was no violation, but that due to the third section of the directive the incident must be left out of our logs?"
Chakotay repressed a smirk, realizing what she was doing. She had implied that something was true without actually lying about it. Although if he had picked up on that, and Tom had as well if the man's grin was any indication, Tuvok surely would.
"You have never, to my knowledge, lied to me." Tuvok responded blandly, speaking as carefully as she had. It was obvious that he saw through her wording, but that he would go along with her wishes on this matter. "I will make certain there is no record of certain events."
"Very good. Any other questions or comments?" Kathryn gave Tuvok an understanding nod as she spoke to the room.
"Neelix wanted me to remind everyone about the party in the mess hall tonight, starting at 1900." Tom chimed. "He thinks it will be important for morale that all the senior officers make at least a brief appearance. And Captain, he wanted to make sure you remembered that you agreed to lead it."
Kathryn blinked. "Which celebration is it tonight?" Yesterday had been a long day, and she knew that she had agreed to lead no less than three of Neelix's little events over the next few months.
"The Bajoran Gratitude Festival, Captain." Chakotay responded with a flash of dimples.
"Oh, that's right." Kathryn sighed. "At least I know what this one is about, unlike some of Mr. Neelix's other excuses for a party. Everyone, make sure you put in an appearance tonight. Dismissed."
"So what exactly is this one about?" B'Elanna could be heard asking as everyone except Chakotay and Kathryn filed out of the room. "And if it's actually from the Alpha Quadrant why is this the first year we're celebrating it?"
Tom's laugh could be heard echoing. "Obviously Neelix has been playing in the cultural database again. Hell, there's enough info in there he could probably find something to celebrate every single day."
A Klingon curse word was the last thing the command team heard before the door swished shut behind their officers.
"That went a lot better than I thought it would." Kathryn said with a sigh as they both rose to stare out the viewport
Chakotay smiled. "They're curious obviously, but they all understand what happened and that the less they know the better. They all know they would have done the same thing."
He had told her it would probably be this easy, and although she had wanted to believe him, had expected Tuvok at least to demand answers. She took a deep breath and nodded as she grinned at him. "So, what are you going to write on your renewal scroll?"
"I don't know. I can't think of any problems I need burned away at the moment." He chuckled as they headed for the bridge. "Up until last week it would have been 'fraternization rules.'"
They were both laughing as they hit the bridge and headed down to the command deck.
Kathryn slowed as she noticed Ensign Tabor at the engineering station, and put a light hand on the man's shoulder. "Peldor joi."
The Bajoran spun to face her with a huge smile on his face. "Peldor joi, Captain. Will you be at the Festival tonight?"
"I wouldn't miss it." She smiled in return, leaning close to whisper conspiratorially, "Besides, if I'm not there Commander Chakotay would have to be the Presider, and I've heard his Bajoran is terrible."
Tabor laughed briefly before freezing in discomfort, realizing he was laughing at the expense of a senior officer. Kathryn just shot him a wink before heading for her chair.
She certainly was in a good mood today. Actually, she had been all week, Tabor realized as he turned back to his station. The rumors that she and Chakotay were officially together were getting easier to believe. And if this is what she was like when she was in a relationship, all Tabor could think was that he really wished his former captain had jumped her years ago.
=/\=
Silence spread through the mess hall as Naomi rang the gong that Crewmen Celes had brought from her quarters for the occasion.
Tal Celes herself stood with Tabor and Garron; the three Bajorans had huge smiles on their faces as they waited at the foot of the small dias Neelix had set up at the head of the room. The captain stopped beside them for a brief moment as she headed towards the dais.
"Are you sure one of you doesn't want to do this?" Kathryn offered softly. "This means more to you three than anyone else."
Garron shook his head at once and Kathryn wasn't surprised, there was no way the shy young man could stand up in front of everyone. Tabor shook his head as well.
It was Tal who said just as softly, "You may not be Bajoran, but you're our leader. It's traditional for the ranking spiritual or military person among the gathering to burn the first scroll."
"Apologies in advance if my pronunciation is off, I know what the words mean but I don't actually speak Bajoran." Kathryn grinned, grateful when they grinned back.
Kathryn took her place on the dias, nodding her thanks to Naomi as the child stepped back from the gong.
"Tesra Peldor impatri bren." She spoke the Bajoran words carefully as she poured the vials of blue and clear liquids into the glass tubes at the top of the bronze brazier in front of her. "Bentel vetan ullon sten." The brazier ignited with flames as the two chemicals mixed, and as the three Bajorans started clapping the rest of the room joined in.
Kathryn picked up the rolled renewal scroll next to the brazier, the scroll she had already written two simple words on. Her eyes locked on Chakotay's, and she smiled as she concluded, now in Federation Standard, "I have the honor of placing the first Renewal Scroll into the fire. As the scrolls burn, may our troubles turn to ashes with them. Enjoy yourselves tonight, everyone." She broke eye contact with Chakotay to bestow a smile on each of the Bajorans that had moved up to the very front and center of the crowd. "And may the Prophets walk with us."
"What does the opening mean?" Chakotay asked Tal as the captain stepped down and others began moving, some towards the blank scrolls on the table nearby, others to the food tables.
Tal smiled. "Show gratitude for life's gifts. Fire purifies the heart."
"Pretty." Chakotay smiled as Kathryn appeared at his side. "A sentiment my own people would agree with."
"Well?" Kathryn grinned at Tal, and it took the young woman a moment to remember the captain's comment from right before the ceremony started.
She smiled back. "Your pronunciation was perfect, Captain. Thank you for doing this for us."
"My pleasure. It's a lovely sentiment for a celebration, especially for this crew." Kathryn slid her hand into Chakotay's. "Besides, I have a lot to be grateful for right now."
Tal's eyes flicked away nervously. She was obviously caught between wanting to say something and not being too familiar with her captain.
Chakotay took her off the hook. "Well, we should mingle, and let you do the same. Paldor joi, Celes."
She smiled shyly as she returned the blessing and the three separated.
Chakotay took two glasses of whatever it was Neelix was pretending was Bajoran spring wine, passing one to Kathryn with a smile. They weren't holding hands anymore, but their body language spoke volumes to anyone who glanced in their direction. Which many did, although they tried to do so discretely.
"So is it like a birthday wish, or can I ask what you wrote on the scroll?" Chakotay asked softly as they drifted to the side of the room to watch the others enjoying themselves.
Kathryn smiled. "I'm actually not sure. But as you're the reason I was able to write both words, I think I can tell you."
There was something serious in her eyes that was at odds with her easy expression and open body language. He brushed the backs of his fingers lightly across her cheek, briefly but tenderly. He still wasn't sure how comfortable she was with such things around the crew. "You don't have to tell me." He offered gently. "I don't even think I'm writing one myself, I can't think of anything I could put on it now."
She gave him the smile she shared only with him, placing a hand on his chest briefly before lowering her voice, leaning into him enough so that she wouldn't be overheard. "I only wrote two words on it. Fear and Guilt."
His smile was breathtaking, as was the awe and tenderness she saw in his eyes. "I'll help you with those anyway I can."
"You already have." She said softly, enjoying the brief contact of their shoulders bumping before she drew away just enough that they weren't touching.
The crew knowing they were together was one thing, she knew the rumors were already flying after their date at Sandrines earlier in the week, as well as the fact that they were sharing dinner in one of their quarters every night instead of just once a week. She didn't mind them knowing, not really, in fact she had been amused by the betting pools and gossip she had heard over the years. At least, she had been amused when it wasn't making her sad. If only she had had nearly the personal life everyone thought she did.
She was drawn out of her thoughts as music started over the comm system, music that definitely wasn't Bajoran.
Chakotay smiled as he saw her look. "Tom asked Celes and the others, and they said that although music and dancing wasn't normally a part of the Festival, many of the things that were wouldn't make sense or be enjoyable to anyone but themselves. I think they plan to get together at some point and do those things, but they agreed with Tom that this was a nice mix of Terran and Bajoran customs."
"Leave it to Tom to find an excuse to play 20th Century music." Kathryn chuckled. "He's done it enough times I'm actually starting to learn some of what must be his favorite songs."
"Dance?" Chakotay offered a second before the music changed to something with what he believed Tom had once called a Latin-beat.
Kathryn laughed as Tom shot out onto the hastily cleared dance floor, trying to teach others what she recognized as a salsa. "Raincheck. For something where we won't kill each other's toes."
Chakotay laughed with her as B'Elanna and Harry joined them, the former shaking her head even as the latter watched the dancer's feet in fascination. "Not joining them?"
"Not even if I could." B'Elanna grimaced as she patted her rounded belly.
"Tom tried to teach me this once." Harry laughed in embarrassment at the memory. "His conclusion was that I had two left feet, no rhythm, and looked vaguely like I was having a seizure."
The other three officers burst into laughter, and Harry joined them after a minute. They continued their friendly chatter as they watched the dancers.
The party was still in full swing nearly two hours later, and Kathryn noticed without surprise that it seemed to be mostly due to Tom's music. All the scrolls had been burned, all the food eaten. Well, all the food that wasn't tainted with Leola root at least, which for once had actually been most of the food. Kathryn offered up an absent prayer that Neelix was finally running out of the horrible root, and joked to Chakotay that maybe he should have written a scroll after all and put Leola on it.
Chakotay laughed with her, "Maybe I should have. He's gotta run out of it eventually though." He shifted his attention from her and their quiet table in the corner, glancing towards the dance floor and the dozen waltzing couples. It was one of the few types of dancing he had seen tonight that he actually knew how to do.
Kathryn followed his eyes. "I'll cash in that raincheck if they play another waltz."
He nodded, moving his eyes back to her, noting the way her eyes were shining as they shifted from the dancers to the others just milling about before looking back at him. "I'm glad you've had a good time tonight."
She grinned at him, her leg brushing his under the table. "I really have. I always left these parties early, thinking the crew couldn't really unwind if I was here. It looks like they are anyway, I guess it's hard to tell without a basis for comparison."
He chuckled. "I have a basis for comparison, and the crew is just fine with you being here. Maybe in the first year or two that wouldn't have been the case, but…"
She smiled as he trailed off. "Like you told me, we're a family. All of us, including me. It just still feels a little wrong for them to see me like this." She took his hand across the table even as she spoke.
"You're happy when they are." His dimples flashed as his thumb rubbed over her knuckles. "And the reverse is true also. They can still respect and obey you as the captain while knowing you're a woman as well. In fact, it helps them relate to you more to know that you have needs and desires just like everyone else."
Her eyes heated on the word desire, and suddenly a mischievous glint came into her eyes as he saw her mind kick into gear. "Is B'Elanna still here?"
He blinked at the change in topic, still trying to calm his heated blood from the look she had given him. "Uh, yeah, I think so."
Her grin turned devilish. "I'll be back in a minute. Need another drink?"
He shook his head at the offer and watched her saunter away, exchanging friendly words as she passed people on her way to B'Elanna. A puzzled and curious expression showed on his face, but he knew better than to ask what she was up to. She was definitely up to something, and the look in her eyes told him he would likely enjoy the outcome of whatever she was plotting.
When she had that look in her eyes, she could outwit Tom Paris himself. And had, he let his mind drift back as he waited for her to return. The first time he had seen that particular look was when she had looked up from a pool table after potting multiple balls on her break. He remembered how everyone except Tom had burst out laughing as a mischievous glint replaced the obviously feigned innocent excitement in her eyes.
He chuckled into his drink as he remembered the first thought that had run through his mind when she asked for his stick. Although he had recovered quickly with a proper response, he had found his mind doing a double take at the innuendo once he realized that she had actually known it was called a cue.
"What's so funny?" Kathryn smiled at the far-away look in his eyes as she rejoined him at the table.
"Oh, I was just remembering some other good times." Chakotay felt a slight blush rise to his cheeks, but the room was dim enough he hoped she wouldn't notice. "That was fast."
"Just had to give B'Elanna a secret mission." She smirked at him. "You'll find out soon enough. Dance?"
He smiled and rose, holding out his hand. The last few songs had been slow ones, and it sounded like the one just starting up was as well.
They were both lost in each other's nearness as they headed towards the dance floor and didn't notice Tom whispering into his communicator, although they did notice when the song that had just been starting shifted to a different song.
They both froze for a moment, both their minds immediately jumping to the idea that this was a joke and dreading to hear what song was about to start. They were both surprised when it was another slow, pretty number, but shrugged it off as they moved into each others arms and began to dance.
Only a few lines had been sung before Kathryn realized they had indeed been set-up, but not in the way either had thought. She chuckled, "Listen to the words."
His thoughts filled with nothing but her closeness, he tuned in at her comment just as a strong female voice sang, "As we swayed to the music and held to each other, I fell in love with you."
"This has Tom Paris written all over it." He said softly, still listening to the singer, who was now questioning if she could have this dance for the rest of her life.
They shifted from waltzing to something simpler as the song continued on, and much like when they had danced at Sandrine's ended up body to body, her head on his chest while his rested against her hair. Words floated around them, singing of the closeness and realization that a single dance had caused. Other couples drifted to the song as well, although everyone who was not dancing was staring at their commanding officers, smiles on their faces.
They drew apart slightly as the singing stopped, the last chords of the music still drifting through the room as their eyes locked. Much like the last time they had danced, their eyes held for a heated beat and Chakotay's heart leapt as she gave the tiniest nod.
His hand slid to her cheek as he lowered his head again, and he felt her fingers teasing the back of his neck as she tilted her head up and met his lips in a tender, gentle kiss.
The music faded into silence, and they were still kissing many seconds later when the silence was broken by a wolf-whistle and a single person clapping. That obviously jerked the rest of the crew out of their shock, and their lips parted just as a wave of ever growing applause rippled through the room.
Kathryn's cheeks flushed and she rested her forehead against his chest for a brief moment, then decided what the hell and rose on her tiptoes to kiss him again.
The applause faded into the background of her mind and although they kept the kiss soft and gentle, still aware of their surroundings, Kathryn felt desire swelling up through her entire being. She felt it from him through the pulse of his neck, the burning hand on her lower back, the fingers that now caressed the side of her neck as well as her cheek.
And she knew tonight would be the night that all the lines fell away.
=/\=
To be continued….
AN2: Thanks to the wonderful ladies at Koffee Klub for their awesome list of J/C songs, which is where I found the song used in this part. As I'm not a huge fan of songfics I didn't want to put the whole song in, but here it is for those that were curious.
Could I Have This Dance
Sung by Anne Murray
Words and Music by Wayland Holyfield and Bob House
I'll always remember the song they were playin'
The first time we danced and I knew
As we swayed to the music and held to each other
I fell in love with you
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life
Would you be my partner every night
When we're together it feels so right
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life
I'll always remember that magic moment
When I held you close to me
As we moved together, I knew forever
You're all I'll ever need.
(x2) Could I have this dance for the rest of my life
Would you be my partner every night
When we're together it feels so right
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life
