Yay! Another Chapter! But be sure to go back and re-read chapter two. I uploaded my first draft by mistake before. The new one has some Chakotay abuse, courtesy of Q...Heh heh heh...:)

Enjoy!

-Coffee

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Janeway was pissed. She was pissed and she had no idea where she was. She was pissed, she had no idea where she was, and the source of her frustrations had her gripped so tightly around the ribs, she thought she might faint for lack of air.

"Q!" she gasped. "Let me go!"

Q immediately relinquished his grip.

"My apologies," he said cheerfully. "Are you all right?"

"No!" she hissed. "I am not all right! Take me back to Voyager, right now!"

Q ignored her and offered his arm.

"I'm not kidding Q! This little stunt of yours needs to end!"

"Au contraire, Kathy my dear; it's just begun!"

It was only then that Kathryn noticed that they were standing in an elegant entryway with marble floors with a grand staircase before them leading up to a second floor. She looked to Q to ask where they were, and noticed he was now wearing a dark black tuxedo.

"Q, what the..."

Her clothing had changed too. She looked down in surprise at the elegant, cream-colored gown. Matching gloves appeared on her hands, heals on her feet, pearl earrings in her ears. She touched the back of her head and found her coppery hair piled fashionably there.

"Well," said Q, looking at her with affectionate interest. "Don't you look delicious. Here, see for yourself." A mirror appeared in his hand. Curious, Kathryn took it.

She looked more radiant than she'd ever looked in her life. Q had done something with make-up to make the bags under her eyes disappear. The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were gone too.

"What did you do?" she breathed.

Q smiled.

"Nothing you couldn't do yourself, darling, especially after a good night's sleep...Shall we?"

He offered her his arm once more. The mirror in her hand disappeared. Kathryn hesitated.

"Q, as much as I appreciate the gesture, I really can't..."

"Yes, you can," Q said firmly, taking her hand with his free one and manually wrapping it around his proffered arm. "One date...that's all I ask."

"But Voyager..." he stated to lead her up the staircase.

"...Can do without you for one evening."

"But I didn't finish..."

"Kathryn," they stopped moving and he turned to face her, his eyes serious. "If you really wish to go back, I'll take you, but please don't patronize me with meaningless excuses. Do you really find me so repulsive that you can't bear to spend a single evening alone with me?"

"No, that's not it..." Kathryn faltered.

"Then what is it?" Q sighed patiently.

"Q...how do I trust you?" she gave him a hard searching look.

"Oh," said Q, an incredulous look creeping across his face. "Don't tell me you've suddenly found yourself intimidated? Afraid I'll never stop pestering you for your time, or hurl your ship into a supernova if I don't get my way, or hurt you in some horrible way...am I right?" She nodded. Q looked wounded. "Honestly, Kathy! You stab me to the core! You seem to think I have no manners at all!"

Kathryn crossed her arms and looked at him critically. Q scowled.

"All right, I'll admit, I may have been a bit...naughty...in the past...But that's all behind us now! I swear to you," he took her hand with both of his. "I have nothing but the most sincere and honorable intentions towards you! Well," he amended, looking her up and down in that lovely dress. "Maybe honorable isn't the most appropriate choice of word..."

The Captain grinned. Q grinned back at her and winked.

"I mean it, my sweet, wild Kathy; just say the word, and I'll be gone..."

Some sweet music began to play at the top of the staircase, the notes drifting down to meet the two of them.

"...but in the meantime, I do believe they're playing our song."

He offered his arm for a third time, and she took it. What the hell, she thought. One date, and I don't have to finish those reports

"Come on!" Q chuckled, and together they climbed the stairs.

Kathryn realized they were at some sort of restaurant when they reached the top. An alien in a smart suit stood behind a podium and nodded to them as they approached. Kathryn assumed he must be the seating host. He and Q appeared to know each other, and they spoke together in a language she'd never heard before; a strange mixture of H's and S's that sounded like rushing wind and seemed to have no beginning or end. She wished Q had not made her com-badge disappear. She would have liked to know what they were saying.

The alien seemed pleased to see them and immediately led them to a table in a quiet corner of the restaurant. The lights were dim, but there were candles on every table giving a warm glow throughout the room, reflecting off the china and glassware. A small string ensemble played softly in the corner, punctuated by the light chatter of the other guests, and refined clinks and clanks of cutlery.

Q pulled out a chair for her, and she sank into it, remembering suddenly that she was very hungry. Q took his own chair and spoke for a minute more to the alien, who rushed off to bring them menus.

"What is this place?" asked Kathryn, taking her menu from the attentive alien when he returned.

"It's called Shri'hessa," Q replied with a smile. "It means elegance in their language. Do you like it?"

"It's lovely...although you'll have to translate my menu for me."

"Gladly."

It was a futile effort. The literal translations of the dishes made no sense to the Captain, and Q had a difficult time coming up with comparable earth dishes to help her understand.

"Flank of hesh-hesh? Is that like a steak?" she asked hopefully.

"Well, in a way, I suppose...except the meat is white and rubbery...more like a squid..."

Kathryn pulled a face. Q sighed in frustration.

"I apologize Kathy. I didn't realize how difficult this would be. Would you like to go somewhere else?"

"No, of course not. I'm an explorer, remember? Tonight, I'm leaping into the gastrointestinal unknown," she laughed. Q perked up at the sound.

"I do love that laugh, Kathy."

She blushed.

Finally, Q ended up ordering for them both. Kathryn couldn't help but notice that he fidgeted during their entire conversation before the first course arrived.

"I do hope you like this," he said as the waiter set down hot bowls of bright red soup before each of them. "I've had it before...I always thought it was delicious...but if you don't like it, please say so and order something else...I won't mind at all."

He waited with baited breath as she swallowed her first spoonful. It was a simple vegetable soup, tangy and spiced to perfection. Kathryn smiled at Q. He sighed in relief.

Kathryn realized that regardless of his omnipotence or whatever she wanted to call it, Q was a man who had asked her, a woman he liked, on a first date, and as such, he was a tad nervous. It was so normal, so human, and it made her feel more at ease.

The wine Q ordered was delicious. Kathryn told him so, and Q looked very pleased.

"Isn't it funny how the concept of alcohol seems to be a part of every culture?" Kathryn remarked. "Some of Voyager's best trades have been made with alcohol...Romulan ale in particular."

Q chuckled, and regaled her with a morally questionable tale of a time when he'd turned the only water source of a highly prohibitive and conservative settlement into a fountain of wine.

"I thought they could use a bit of fun...They were inebriated before they knew what had happened to them!" Q crowed delightedly, and Kathryn couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

"That's terrible!" she managed to gasp as their main course arrived. "Those poor villagers!"

Q had ordered her a steak, or at least something close to it, with a strange mixture of grilled vegetables on the side. It tasted wonderful.

"No, not at all!" cried Q, smiling ruefully. "Those poor souls were looking for any excuse to engage in a bit of debauchery. Of course, I restored them to their original order...at the behest of the Continuum, naturally..." Q sighed and looked a tad rueful. "Those were the days, Kathy. I was a very careless Q back then...before I had all this responsibility and a son to raise..."

Kathryn smiled.

"You said earlier that he'd become a 'master of diplomacy.' I take it everything's peaceful in the Continuum?"

"Yes, he's absolutely gifted when it comes to settling disputes. Junior listens to all sides of the issue, and every time he manages to come up with a solution that pleases everyone. He's a prodigy, a genius, and quite a hit with the ladies..."

"I suppose he takes after his father in that respect," Janeway quipped sarcastically, taking another bite of her meal.

"Oh! Finally making a good impression, am I?" Q chuckled. "Delighted to hear it." He picked up his wineglass and pointed it in her direction. "I do believe that deserves a toast."

"Oh?" said Kathryn, raising her glass. "What are we toasting to?"

"To us," said Q, clinking his wineglass against hers. "To the start of a beautiful relationship."

"Relationship?" scoffed Kathryn, taking a sip of the delicious wine, and feeling a little warm all over. "One date does not a relationship make, Q."

"Are you saying we could never do this again?" asked Q slyly.

"No Q," said Kathryn firmly. "We can't."

"Hmm," said Q, not looking convinced. "We'll see about that." He winked at her.

Kathryn chose not to respond. What they were doing now was fun, but she was sure it could never be anything more, and it wouldn't be fair to lead Q into thinking otherwise...assuming he was serious about all this anyway, which she still wasn't entirely sure he was...

"More wine?" Q interrupted her thoughts.

"Yes please," she answered, determined to enjoy this dinner while it lasted. It wasn't often the Captain got a chance to escape her duties like this, and it probably wouldn't ever happen again.

Their plates were cleared and dessert arrived. Kathryn observed hers dubiously. It looked like some sort of chocolate torte, but the smell was off. Q observed her with amusement as she took a hesitant bite and her expression brightened.

"What is this delicious thing?" she asked, swallowing another morsel.

"Senh," Q answered, digging into his own piece. "Isn't it to die for?"

"Oh!" said Kathryn, savoring another bite. "It's heaven!"

Too soon desert was over, plates were cleared, and they were descending the grand stair case together.

"Well Q," said Kathryn, smoothing her dress when they'd reached the foyer. "Thank-you for the lovely, if somewhat unexpected, evening..."

"Why Kathy, you sound as if it were finished!"

"You mean it's not?"

Q snorted.

"No, no, no, my dear. Do you think a date with a Q involves a simple dinner and goodnight?" He scoffed and shook his head. "Hardly..."

"Q," Kathryn sighed. "I have to be on the bridge at oh eight hundred tomorrow morning..."

"Excuses, excuses!" chastised Q. "So many rules and regulations to be observed! So many worries and concerns! Do you ever think to stop and have a bit of fun?"

"Starfleet Captains don't have fun."

"So Picard always told me, but I don't believe a word of it. Don't worry Captain; I'll have you home before curfew," Q mocked, taking her hand.

"Where are we going?" Kathryn asked, resigning herself to a long night ahead.

"Where would you like to go?" Q countered, raising her arm over her head and twirling her around. Kathryn smiled at his good humor.

"Well, where do you take all your other dates?" she teased. Q scowled, then appeared to reconsider. A naughty grin crossed his face. Kathryn caught sight of it and shook her head. "Forget I asked."

"Oh, fine," said Q petulantly. Then he brightened. "I know a place!" He looked down at her dress. "But we'll need to change."

Before she could respond, Q snapped his fingers. She looked down and saw she was wearing cool linen pants and a casual sweater and sandals. She looked up at Q, in khakis and a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt.

"Ready?" he asked, and when she nodded, opened the foyer's double doors.

Instantly, a warm, fragrant wind played across her face. They were standing in the sand of a beautiful beach at dusk. The foyer they'd just been standing in had disappeared entirely, leaving long stretches of sand and water in both directions.

"Where are we?" Kathryn asked, taking off her sandals and squishing her toes into the white sand beneath them.

"A world in another galaxy, actually," Q replied casually. He took her hand and led her down to the water's edge. "Let's go for a stroll, shall we?"

"Oh yes," Kathryn answered. Breathing the sweet air, feeling the last bright orange rays of the warm sun on her skin, hearing the crashing waves of the ocean, and holding the hand on an enjoyable male companion...Kathryn felt more at peace than she had in years. Turning to Q, she gave him a mischievous grin, which he returned with one of his own.

"I'll race you to that driftwood log over there!" she called, and took off before he could respond.

"Not fair!" Q cried, laughing, and raced after her.

Years in Starfleet had given Kathryn excellent physical form, which she actively maintained on Voyager, playing hoverball on the holodeck, and sometimes tennis; however, she was no match for Q's sprinting ability. He reached the driftwood log a good six seconds before she did.

"Not fair!" she huffed, leaning down, hands on her knees. "You're not allowed to use Q powers!"

"Who said I did?" cried Q, puffing a bit himself and pointing to his body. "Human form, same physical limitations...You're just mad I beat you, despite your underhanded attempt to get a head start." Q clucked his tongue and wagged a finger at her. Kathryn chuckled and collapsed cross-legged on the sand, still catching her breath. Q did the same. They sat side by side facing the ocean. Kathryn took a deep breath of salty air.

"Oh Q, thank you for this...I needed it." She turned and gave him a genuine smile. Q smiled back. He reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're most welcome, my sweet Kathy."

Q's eye locked with her own, and for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. Half her body suddenly tingled in anticipation of the thought, and the other half protested in resistance, but Q did nothing except study her face intently in that disconcerting way he had. After a long minute, he turned to look out the water but slid his hand over to cover hers in the sand. It was a touching gesture, and Kathryn found herself entwining her fingers with his.

"Now darling, about my prize..." said Q, turning to grin impishly at her.

"Prize?" she asked warily. "For what?"

"For winning the race, of course." Q snorted, running the pad of his thumb over the length of hers. It sent strange tingles all over her body, and she had to pull her hand away to make them stop. For a split second, Q looked disappointed, but it was quickly covered with his usual expression of good humor.

"I don't remember saying there'd be prizes," Kathryn quipped smartly.

"Now, now, Kathy...every competition needs a prize of sorts for the winner."

"What's wrong with the simple satisfaction of winning?" she asked.

"It's not enough...especially not for a Q," said Q, arching an eyebrow. She had to smirk at that one.

"Well," said Kathryn, not knowing what else to say. "What do you want?" She winced internally, knowing she'd just set herself up for something. Come on Kathryn, sharpen up, she thought.

"Well..." said Q, apparently pausing to consider. Suddenly his face brightened. "I'd like to do this again...another date...say, the day after tomorrow?"

Kathryn hesitated. True, she was enjoying this evening tremendously. Q was being a perfect gentleman, the food had been delicious, and she felt relaxed and carefree, sitting here in the sand and evening sun...but did she really want to encourage this infatuation of Q's? Was it fair to lead him on when she was pretty sure it wouldn't work out between them?

Then, unbidden, Chakotay's face came to mind. She'd never admit it aloud, but his unspoken rejection of her had made feel...deficient somehow; like she didn't get to be loved...ever. It wasn't fair. If Chakotay could go on and live happily ever after with Seven, didn't she deserve something like that too? Especially when Q was here offering it to her?

Maybe it could work...for a little while at least. Nothing serious...just her, Q, and just a few fun dates, a little companionship to ease her loneliness here in the Delta Quadrant, something small just to take the sting out of it all. That was harmless, right?

"All right," she said, turning to Q with a small smile.

"Ooh! Goody!" smirked Q, reaching for her hand and holding it again.

They sat there together, talking quietly about nothing important, until the sun finally set and the air turned cool. It suddenly occurred to Kathryn that she'd been away from Voyager for several hours, and what was worse, she'd been transported away (somewhat) against her will, in front of her Vulcan security officer, and a very angry First Officer, who must have alerted the whole ship to her disappearance...

"Q," she said, standing up and brushing sand off her clothes. "I need to get back."

Q sighed dramatically, slowly rising from his place in the sand.

"I concluded as much," he murmured, still holding her hand.

"It's just that, they're probably looking for me...and cursing you..."

Q grinned deviously and chuckled.

"I do seem to annoy them quite frequently, don't I?"

"They're not the only ones..." Kathryn quipped. Q gasped in mock offense, but began stroking the length of her thumb with the pad of his own again, and this time Kathryn didn't pull her hand away. She grinned and looked down at the sand.

They stood like that for a second, then Q cleared his throat.

"Ready?" he asked. Kathryn nodded. The beach disappeared with a small whoosh, and suddenly they were standing in her empty ready room once more. Kathryn looked down and saw that she was again wearing her uniform. It felt constricting.

Q was also wearing his usual uniform. He looked down at it in distaste.

"Binding, isn't it?" he asked Kathryn. She smirked and shook her head at him, despite the fact that she'd been thinking the exact same thing. "Well, ma capitane, here you are, safe and sound, and no worse for wear."

"Yes," replied Karthryn with a small smile. "It was a wonderful evening Q. I'm looking forward to the next one. Thank-you."

Q scoffed incredulously.

"Did I just hear you right, Kathy, darling? Did you actually just thank me for whisking you away in my most dashing manner? And most politely too! My goodness! I don't think I'd believe it if I hadn't just heard it with my own ears!"

Kathryn rolled her eyes and turned away in annoyance, but Q quickly grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him again, his expression earnest.

"It was my pleasure, Kathryn."

He learned in to kiss her, but suddenly seemed to change his mind. Trailing his hand from her shoulder down the length of her left arm, Q took her hand and pressed it to his lips instead. The Captain felt her whole body flush in response. His eyes burned mercilessly into hers as he released her hand.

"Goodnight, love," he whispered, and with a flash, disappeared.

Kathryn wobbled with unsteady legs over to her couch and sat down. Her face was serious as she called security to let them know that she was back and okay, but inside, she was smiling.

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Review if you liked it! -Coffee