Author's note: I've never had so many people send me such desperate pleas for more chapters to a story. It's flattering. Thank you.

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It wasn't until she'd hiked halfway across the ship that Kathryn realized she'd forgotten to deactivate Tom's prank transporter program. She quickly rectified her error, calling out instructions to the computer as she strode briskly towards Cargo Bay Four.

She was feeling guilty, and she hated it. It was a bad idea to ask Tom to pull this prank on Q. By doing so, she'd disgraced herself as a Starfleet officer and mistreated a guest on her ship. She'd set a bad example, and as a result, Q was going to have even more difficulty fitting in on Voyager.

The doors to Cargo Bay Four loomed before her all too soon. Kathryn took a deep breath and stepped onto the threshold. The doors wooshed open, and she found Q standing before her.

"Is it safe?" he asked, exasperation evident in his tone. "I detest being transported; it's a most unsettling experience."

"It's safe, Q," Kathryn said, motioning for him to exit the cargo bay.

"Splendid," Q smirked. He suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the cargo bay doors into his arms. "Hello, love."

Kathryn thought about struggling to break the embrace, but her guilty conscience forced to accept the hug without complaint. It wasn't too difficult; Q was cuddling her to his chest as though she were the most precious thing in the world, and the feeling made Kathryn smile stupidly into his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him in response, unconsciously pulling him closer. Q chuckled and learned down to whisper in her ear.

"Rough day?"

"As if you had nothing to do with it," Kathryn snorted into his collarbone.

"Still angry with me?"

Guilt stabbed at Kathryn's heart once more. She didn't have the right to be angry with anyone.

"No," she said, silently wondering how she was going to explain.

"Good," Q replied, a touch of surprise in his tone. She could feel him staring at the top of her head curiously. "I do love it when you let me hold you like this, darling," he said after a moment of silence.

So do I, Kathryn thought, surprising herself. Growing uncomfortable, she pulled away. Q sighed in mild annoyance and let her go.

"You can't run from me forever, sweetheart," he smirked lightly.

"I can't run from you at all," Kathryn snorted in response. "You're everywhere I go."

"Oh, you love it," Q teased, reaching for her again. Kathryn was quick to dart beyond his reach. Q looked at her in irritation and pursed his lips. "I should be very angry with you, you know," he said, almost conversationally. "That was a nasty trick you and Tom Paris pulled on me just now."

Kathryn flushed in shame.

"How did you know?"

"After the second time it happened, I interfaced with the computer," he pointed to the work console on the other side of the cargo bay. "It didn't take me long to find the algorithm keyed to my life signs. Both of your authorization codes were on it." His tone was slightly accusatory.

"I'm sorry, Q," she said. "It was meant to be a harmless prank. I didn't realize it would be so…"

"Humiliating? Cruel?" Q supplied, his gaze burning holes into her. "What could have spurred you to do such a thing?"

"I was just…irritated with you."

"Oh? What for?"

Kathryn blushed, suddenly remembering how the whole crazy day had started. Her body contracted pleasantly at the memory of Q's touch on her.

"Nothing, nevermind…" she muttered, taking a deep breath. "Can we please forget the whole thing ever happened?"

"Certain members of the crew are going to have a more difficult time with that than others," he murmured in response.

"I know, I'm sorry. From now on I'll make it my policy to treat you as I would treat any other guest aboard a Starfleet vessel...especially in front of the crew."

"Well, that would be lovely," he said, taking a step closer. "But unless you routinely engage in intimate relations with guests aboard your ship, that arrangement isn't going to entirely work for me."

"Q…" Kathryn said warningly, while at the same time trying not to smile.

"Shhh…" he reached out and pulled her into his arms again, and pressed his lips to hers before she could protest. For the first time, Kathryn didn't resist his advances, and after a second, she started to kiss him back. Q sighed blissfully and slanted his mouth possessively over hers. She slid her hands up over his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. His fingers were tangled in her hair, effectively destroying her up-do, but Kathryn didn't care. Instinct had taken over, and she recklessly pressed herself against Q with careless abandon. His lips moved from her mouth to the smooth column of her throat, to the special spot in the curve of her neck that drove her crazy. "Mmm…sweet captain," he whispered. "Perhaps we should return to your quarters?"

Kathryn pulled away and looked up into his questioning face.

"All right," she said.

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WARNING – the next chapter will be rated "M."