AN: A bit of fluff just because I suspect there will still be horse racing in the 24th century. (Or maybe it will be all on the holodeck, who knows?

ooo

May 2378

The Mess Hall was crowded when Kathryn arrived. Tom was fussing with the vid player, and she casually made her way over, stopping to talk along the way.

"So, are we ready?" she asked when she finally got to him. He nodded. "Phoebe and Kathleen did a good job with the transmissions. B'Elanna said there shouldn't be a problem playing them." He looked around. "Who knew we had so many horse racing fans?"

"Well, except for Seven; she considers racing to be irrelevant, as you know," Kathryn joked, then realized that Neelix was waving her to the large vidscreen installed for the occasion. "Oops, I'm on," she said as she gave his arm a quick, and hopefully unobtrusive, squeeze.

"Good evening!" she announced. "Everyone ready for a race?" She smiled as the crew broke out in applause. "Well, then, hot off the subspace transmission, we have a vidcast of this year's Federation Stakes, which was, oh, three days ago.

"For those of you who aren't familiar," she continued, "The Federation Stakes is one of the qualifying races for the Galaxy Cup. It's held every year in Lexington, Kentucky, which has ancient ties to horse racing."

"There's been a racetrack in that city since the early 20th century," Tom called out. "Though it's been replaced a few times."

"Four times to be exact," the Doctor broke in. Fortunately, the crew's collective glare stopped him from going into detail.

"Have you ever been to the race?" Chakotay asked.

"Me? No, though I wouldn't mind seeing it from the suites," she joked.

"Oh, but the infield is the best place to sit," Jenny Delaney piped up. "I'm surprised you remember anything about it," Megan retorted. "You started drinking mint juleps at 1100. The race didn't start until 1700!" she finished to the crew's laughter.

"I'm told that this year's favorite was a horse named Night Voyage," Kathryn continued, and the crew chuckled. She quickly glanced at Tom, but he wasn't reacting. Perhaps there wasn't a betting pool?

"One last thing: If anyone happens to know the race results, keep it to yourself. That's an order," Kathryn said with a smile.

She nodded at Tom, and the vidcast began …

The camera panned the crowds, bringing a few murmurs about the racegoers' colorful attire.

"I didn't realize that Terran clothing resembled some of our Talaxian fashions," Neelix said. In the back of the room, Kathryn put a hand over her mouth to hide her grin.

"No! No! it's a tradition for everyone to dress up in very colorful clothes," Megan Delaney stage-whispered. "The hats are a race tradition, too," Sam Wildman jumped in. "Terran women don't wear those types of hats every day."

The race began, and the crew followed along, cheering the field — with the biggest cheers going up for Night Voyage, who had taken an early lead.

"Sounds like everyone is rooting for the favorite," Tom whispered in her ear. "He is impressive," she agreed.

Something about her reply seemed rather noncommittal. "You've watched this, haven't you?" he accused.

"' Fraid so," she admitted. "Phee and Kathleen attached a message, so I did a little editing." Tom raised an eyebrow. "I'll show you later. And no, I won't tell you who won," she said as she gave him a nudge.

As the horses thundered around the last lap, a chestnut broke free from the pack to challenge Night Voyage. The crew yelled its approval as the chestnut and the jet-black came round the fourth turn, running neck-and-neck. But a few feet from the finish, Night Voyage found a last burst of speed and shot over the line.

"Now that was a race!" Neelix managed to yell over the cheering.

"It sure was," Tom said as Kathryn just smiled.

ooo

"So," Kathryn said when they finally got to her quarters. "Who won the betting pool?"

"Beats me," he replied. "There were a few informal pools, but I didn't run one." He shrugged at her raised eyebrow. "If you got a vidcast, then someone else probably got the news, too."

"Will wonders never cease?" Kathryn teased; he just made a face in reply. "So, he said, "what's this mysterious message about?"

"Ah, well, it seems our sisters are doing very well in Lexington. They were at the race, in one of the suites no less," she said as she called up the vid.

Their sisters materialized on the screen: Phoebe in a purple print silk dress that set off her dark hair and gray eyes; Kathleen in pink silk to complement her blonde curls. As for the hats … Phoebe's was a wide-brimmed, flower-bedecked style in dark purple; Kathleen's was smaller, a pink disc topped with flowers in a lighter shade. Phoebe's husband, Jim, who usually favored darker colors, wore a violet shirt and a dark purple bow tie under his white blazer.

Tom peered at Kathleen's image. "Interesting hat," he murmured.

"I believe it's called a 'fascinator,'" she replied.

She started the vid, and Phoebe and Kathleen lifted their glasses in a toast.

"Katie!" Phoebe yelled.

"Tommy!" Kathleen chimed in.

"Oh, my God," Tom exclaimed. "Now I understand why you didn't show this."

"You mean you don't want to be called 'Tommy'?" Kathryn teased. "No more than you want to be called 'Captain Katie,'" he retorted. "They must have gotten an early start."

Kathryn just laughed. "I think Phee's had a few, considering she always calls me 'Kath.'"

The vid resumed. "Anyway," Phoebe said, "We are at the Federation Stakes, in the suite of our friends and stalwart arts patrons, Merri and Rell Hathaway. They also happen to own the race favorite, Night Voyage," she finished in a stage whisper.

"And they'd like to say hello," Kathleen added as she gestured toward a couple now standing next to them.

"Good afternoon, Captain, Lieutenant; I'm Merri," opened the woman, who was wearing a light yellow print dress and a matching fascinator. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We've had the best time with these two since we met them at Phoebe's gallery show. And I'm sure you know that your sisters are accomplished artists in their fields.

"I have to admit that we're a little nervous here. But we're all going to enjoy the race, and we're delighted you can share it with us." She turned to the man next to her. "Relly, do you want to say hello?"

"I certainly do," he said as he stepped up. His jacket was the same shade of yellow as his wife's dress, accented by a white shirt and a navy blue tie. "Captain, Lieutenant, we're happy that you can share our day. We're certainly delighted to have Phoebe and Kathleen as our guests." He paused. "I know you're a long way from home, but when you get back, Merri and I would be honored for you to be our guests for a running of the Stakes. We're here every year."

"I did a little research," Kathryn said as she advanced the message. "Rellard Hathaway III runs his family business, which is one of the largest whiskey distilleries in North America." She mentioned the brand, and Tom nodded in appreciation.

The next image was that of Jim, Phoebe, and Kathleen, all looking a bit disheveled.

"Hey, Kath, Tom," Jim managed to yell above the noise of the crowd behind them. "I think it's obvious that our horse won."

"And we're taking this as an omen," Phoebe said. "Next year, you and Tom are going to be right here," she yelled as she waved her arm toward the crowd.

"We're going to sign off and join the party," Kathleen yelled. "We'll send some images with our next messages. And Tommy, you owe me a couple of vids, damn it!"

"Talk to you soon!" Jim called just before the screen faded to black.

ooo

"So," Tom murmured much later. "Seems we have an invitation to attend the race. So, what else do you want to do when we get home?"

"When could be a long time off," Kathryn said as she turned in his arms to face him.

"True, but you said Jim likes his new job. So they may be in Lexington for a while. As for Kathleen," he shrugged, "maybe she'll find a long-term music gig there. If not, we can visit her wherever she lands, even if it means listening to chamber music." He leaned in to kiss her neck. "You haven't answered my question. What would you like to do, or where would you like to go?"

Actually, she'd learned not to think too far ahead. But she knew Tom wasn't going to let this go. "Hmm. Lake George sounds good. Nice and quiet … we could go sailing," she murmured as she stretched. "Maybe skiing on a real mountain or a visit to Italy. Outside of that, I'm not sure. Don't want to do any extensive traveling for a while."

Tom rolled back and stretched. "The lake sounds nice; so does skiing." He pondered for a moment. "I'd like to see one of the Sumo matches, then stay on in Tokyo. I've never spent much time there; seems like an interesting place to explore." He shrugged. "I don't know … rent a beach house somewhere and be lazy for a while."

"That definitely appeals," Kathryn said as she nudged him. "You know …" she began, then trailed off until Tom raised an eyebrow. "Going to the Stakes would be fun, but I've never been much of a hat person."

"Trust me," Tom said. "You'll look wonderful."

oooo

May 2379

"I don't know about this hat," Kathryn muttered.

"It looks good on you," Tom assured her as he took in the wide-brimmed number in cranberry. "Command red."

"The better for you," she teased.

"Well, considering that Phoebe wanted my coat to match your outfit," he murmured. "I'd say yes."

"Are you complaining about the hat again?" Phoebe teased as she and Kathleen brought another round of drinks. "You look great, Kath. And please try to look like you're enjoying yourself. Rell has commissioned me to do a couple of paintings for the distillery's visitor's center."

"Another drink or two and she'll be fine," Kathleen said. "I'm just so damn happy they're here that I don't care what they wear." She looked out at the crowd and tugged Tom's sleeve. "Ah, Tommy, I see someone I want to introduce you to. We'll be right back."

"Now that we're alone, there's something I want to ask you," Phoebe began. Kathryn just raised an eyebrow as she sipped her drink.

"A couple of years ago, when those Pathfinder engineers kept that transmission window open long enough for you to see my wedding ..."

"Which was lovely, by the way," Kathryn interjected.

"Uh, huh … anyway, Mom and I had the impression that you and the hunky Mr. Paris were, oh, shall we say, more than just captain and lieutenant."

"Now, Phee," Kathryn began.

Phoebe sighed. "I know, I know. Starfleet regs and all that. Which is why Mom told me to keep my mouth shut, especially in front of Kathleen. But you're home now. You're traveling together, for God's sake. How about it?"

Kathryn just gave her a devilish smile." Did you put credits on that?

"Should I have done that?" Phoebe retorted.

"Sorry, dear, but all that anyone needs to know is that Tom and I are friends."

This was not what Phoebe wanted to hear, and she gave Kathryn a glare that she must have picked up from Mom. Kathryn, however, was unmoved. She and Tom had done a good job keeping things under wraps, considering that the Review Board was more concerned about her non-existent relationship with Chakotay. No need to come clean now — at least not until they settled the question of staying in Fleet … or not.

Tom returned and Phoebe stalked off. "What was that about?" he asked.

"She wanted to know if we were involved on Voyager. Apparently, we tipped it at the wedding."

Tom's lips pursed in an "O." "And what did you tell her?"

She just smiled slyly. "Just that on this particular subject, all bets are off."