Intermezzo
CODA
TO THE EPISODE
"COUNTERPOINT"
vanhunks
DISCLAIMER: Paramount owns Voyager, the characters. I own the story.
RATING: NC-17
SUMMARY: A month after Voyager left Devore space, Kathryn is unable to forget her attraction to the Devore Inspector Kashyk, and unable to forget the kiss they shared. How does Chakotay deal with this Kathryn?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The music I played during the writing of this coda: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major. Since this episode aired, I have always associated the Mahler symphony as my theme for Janeway and Chakotay.
INTERMEZZO
There was a soft rustle of the luxuriant green leaves as the old man parted the foliage, and presented himself to the younger man. Kolopak's weathered face which even his broad-rimmed hat could not protect well enough against the searing heat of Dorvan V, was a familiar sight to Chakotay. There was a smile on his father's face. Always a smile, Chakotay mused. He looked at Kolopak and it felt for him as always, unnecessary to speak. His father had an instinct; he knew the things that weighed heavily on his son's heart. Like now. Kolopak nodded silently and sat down on a fallen three stump. Then Kolpak, still without saying a word, took his carving knife and started slowly on a piece of raw wood, deftly chipping and sculpting away at it. Chakotay knew that by the time Kolopak would rise again from his makeshift seat, a miniature eagle or wolf would rest on his palm.
Then Kolopak look up from his occupation, and peered directly at Chakotay. After several minutes, he asked, "What is it that troubles you, Chá-ko-tay?"
Chakotay looked at his father, and thought how he always gave that special inflection when his father said his name. Memories of his boyhood flashed before him and Chakotay felt the old regret rising in him that he had never taken the time to know his father. Yet now, Chakotay felt especially close, as if he could touch the old man. He wanted to, badly.
"Kathryn - "
"Ah, Kathryn." Kolopak's smile took on an indulgent tone. "Your friend, your colleague, your Captain..."
"Yes..." Chakotay whispered, lowering his head, not wanting to look in his father's face. Already he noticed the head of the eagle taking shape as Kolopak kept carving.
"Whom you love..."
"Yes..."
"You'd lay down your life for her, Chá-ko-tay." Kolopak said the words slowly; it was a statement born of an ancient knowledge, a look deep into the soul of Chakotay.
"Over and over, Father," Chakotay said, looking up. Kolopak's face turned sombre.
"But."
"Yes."
"She does not love you?" Kolopak asked.
"Of that I am not so sure, Father. Not anymore. Not after..."
"Ahhhh..." Kolopak exclaimed knowingly. "Someone else has made his home in her heart."
Chakotay closed his eyes and turned his face up to the blue sky. He imagined he saw his father's eagle taking flight into the distance, its majestic wings spanned over the universe. Once, the eagle paused in flight and poised its regal head. It was Kathryn's face Chakotay saw. The pain seared from deep inside him as the eagle took off again, melting finally into the blue of the skies.
"Yes..."
"It pains you, my son. I can see that."
"I love her, Father. I do not know how I can ever stop."
"But she pines after this...this man?"
Chakotay sighed. His father was always too astute. He knew. He just knew.
"Yes...she is pining. I sometimes see her deep in thought. Preoccupied. And it is now a month since he has left."
Chakotay felt Kolopak's hand touch his lightly, willing him to look into his father's eyes.
"Support her, Cha-ko-tay. She does not realise that she needs you. You have all the patience. Have greater patience now, with her. She needs you, son."
"You have everything worked out, Father. It is not that easy..."
"Whoever said life is easy, Cha-ko-tay?"
And with that the link was broken with his father, the vision quest over.
Chakotay stared at the darkened surroundings of his room. His heart felt heavy. Kathryn was just not the same since Kashyk left with his people, the Devore. It wasn't something the crew picked up, but he sensed Kathryn's withdrawal from him. Their old camaraderie, the affection he thought they shared, their spiritual connection he had always been convinced existed between them, somehow broken. In his vision he had seen the eagle take flight, and the knowledge deepened the melancholy in him. Even as Kathryn used and outwitted Kashyk to free the telepaths and get Voyager to safety, something of Kashyk's sojourn on Voyager remained. Kathryn had been drawn to the attractive inspector, and Chakotay had arrogantly believed it would be gone the moment Kashyk left Voyager. There was just something about the Kashyk that kept Kathryn still staring out of her observation window, a vacant stare, unaware that he had entered the ready room, or her quarters.
He should be happy that Kashyk did elect to stay with his own people, but Chakotay knew she had offered him the opportunity to stay on board Voyager as a refugee. Who knows what could have happened then? Kathryn had been filled with a regret she didn't speak about, but that was always to him, in their private moments, so obvious. Yet, even as Kashyk left Voyager he had taken part of Kathryn with him.
**********************
"I could make my life here with you, sweet Kathryn," Kashyk said, as he sat next to her on the bed. She had been lying on her back, but when he spoke, the mellowed beauty of his voice made her sit up.
"Then why don't you?" she asked, reaching to caress his cheek
"I am falling for you, and it - it distracts me..." he whispered as he placed his fingers against her golden hair, stroking it, relishing the softness of it as he laced it through his fingers. Her face turned towards his hand, her lips seeking, pressing into his palm. The heat of their touch is intoxicating and Kathryn's voice is hoarse, low as she starts purring.
"Then let me distract you, Kashyk. I feel...for you..."
"I know," Kashyk repsonded as he brought his face close to hers, and with his forefinger tilted her chin upwards, so that he brushed her lips with his. Her eyes closed as she felt the familiar sensation of desire flow through her.
"Love me, Kashyk..." she pleaded.
He touched her shoulders then and pressed her gently back against the pillows. He bent over her, and kissed her, more deeply now, her mouth opening under his insistent tongue as he surged into her mouth, tongue flicking against tongue, tongue tracing her teeth, sucking, then gently nipping her lower lip, playing, playing, their breathing shallow, the only sound that could be heard in the room. He leaves her lips, and nips her ear lobe, her neck arching as his lips and tongue lapped hotly her already fevered skin.
She felt his hands pulling down the thin straps of her gown, over the swell of her breasts. Exposing the two milky white, smooth peaks, his fingers stroke each swollen aureole. Kashyk gasped as she arched against his hands. He bent down and took one aureole completely in his mouth, causing her to moan with pleasure. He sucked, while his hands moved the satin gown further down, over her hips. His fingers rested at her centre, parting her legs slightly. He looked up and into her flushed face, her mouth open and panting.
"I will love you tonight, Kathryn..." he promised as he bent down, and with as soft sigh, pressed his face on the damp triangle. Then he moved against her, his mouth and tongue expertly lapping at her. She pushed against his mouth, picking up his rhythm, moving, moving.
Kathryn heard from a far way off the strains of the Mahler Symphony reaching through its andante, flowing evenly, slowly, till it picked up pace. Horns joining woodwinds, picking up the sound of the trumpets in exquisite counterpoint, deceptively dissimilar, yet moving together in harmony, reaching its crescendo in a clash of cymbals.
She cried out as she reached...
Kathryn woke with a start. Drenched in perspiration she sat up, gasping for breath, still in the aftermath of her climax. Clammy hands flew to her cheeks, felt the intense heat, and the shame hit her. She had that dream again. The intensely erotic dream in which she and Kashyk made love.
She groaned, then buried her face in her hands. A sob escaped her.
Dear God, how can I get him out of my mind? Surely I cannot love him? He isn't here. Not anymore. Yet...
Rising stiffly, she made her way to the bathroom, padding barefoot over the floor. In the bathroom she looked in the mirror above her basin and groaned again. Her face appeared flushed, and her lips were redder than normal. Kathryn closed her eyes to shut out the image of her body that looked like it had been made love to. This time the dream had been so real that a slight throbbing at her core was still evident; her body still cried out in response as if Kashyk had been in her bed with her, doing all the things that made her fantasy seem so real...
One kiss...
A voice that caressed her senses, made her constantly aware of him, not only as the Inspector Kashyk, but a man, a very attractive man whose eyes always looked like they could devour her.
She jerked suddenly away from the mirror and went back to her bedroom, throwing herself on the bed in frustration. She lay back again, closed her eyes and tried to push away all thought of a man who kissed her only once.
Only once...then he left...
****************
Tom and B'Elanna were sitting in what now became their familiar meeting place: their cave halfway up the North Face of the Eiger, but it was the opening at the other side, the one from which they always viewed the Aurora Borealis. He was sitting with his back against the rock, with B'Elanna seated in front of him, nestled snugly between his legs. His arms were around her, the hand cupping her breast. He would kiss her hair and neck from time to time.
Tom programmed the Aurora Borealis, the play of streaks of light, its greens and yellows, orange, sometimes red, combining in a concert of movement.
"It beautiful, Tom. Everytime I see it."
"Yes...it does get to you, doesn't it? A completely natural phenomenon."
They talked while their faces would be lit by the flashes of the profusion of colour.
"I could make love to you, here, under the Northern Lights," he suggested, his hands already dipping under her T-shirt, fingers moving away the bra. He took her nipple between thumb and forefinger, and squeezed gently. He could feel her respond as she turned into his embrace and kissed him.
"Yes, you would, wouldn't you?"
"We could do it here..."
"Ahhh, yes. Tom of the novel experience," she was still saying when she realised he was pulling the T-shirt over her head.
"Not a word, sweetheart. Let me love you," he whispered, before capturing her breast in his mouth.
By the time he removed his mouth from her breast, B'Elanna had pulled his trousers over his hips, exposing him. She raised herself over him, and settled herself on his throbbing sex, sinking deep onto him.
"What were you saying, Tom?" she asked him as she started moving, her smile triumphant... it was quiet for several heady minutes, the silence only broken by their gasping and groans.
"We come here tomorrow?" Tom asked hopefully as they dressed themselves again after their tempestuous bout of lovemaking.
"Tomorrow, my treat," she promised him.
They were abseiling down a tricky ledge until B'Elanna broke the silence.
"Tom," she said as they made their way down the mountain, "our Aurora Borealis...didn't we see something similar about a month ago?"
"Yeah, the time the Devore boarded Voyager and inspected the ship, looking for those telepaths."
"It was almost the same, the profusion of colour across the dark expanse."
"Not a happy time for us, sweetheart. We lost two shuttles."
"But we helped those telepaths find a new home."
"Now that's our Captain, don't you think?" he said to her.
"That's her all right," she agreed.
They had reached the foot of the face, and were standing on level ground, Tom untying her harness, removing carabiners, taking the crampons and boots off.
Some minutes later they left the holodeck on their way to Tom's quarters.
"You know sweetheart, I don't know whether anyone's noticed, but Captain Janeway, she - she's not the same since we left Devore space."
"You mean since that creep Kashyk left?"
"Okay, since he left. I don't know, B'Elanna, but she seems like majorly distracted these days."
"Maybe we should ask her, since you're so interested. All I remember is that we had to listen to that horrible music while they searched the ship."
"Shame on you, B'Elanna Torres. How can you say Mahler's First Symphony is horrible?"
"Was that what it was?" she asked, very sceptical.
"Sweetheart, way back in the Alpha Quadrant, in the home of one Admiral Owen Paris, that music played all the time. "Yes, Gustav Mahler, 19th century Terran composer. I happen to know it's Captain Janeway's favourite symphony. Beautiful! Only the connoisseurs could love it."
"And Tom Paris considers himself to be a connoisseur of good classical music?"
"Why yes, ask Harry! But seriously, having to listen to the music of the great Terran composers of the late 19th century kinda rubs off on a person."
B'Elanna couldn't understand why Tom could wax lyrical over the unhappiest music she had ever heard in her life. It was also clear to her that the Captain did indeed appear unhappy. Melancholy. She wondered whether it had anything to do with that Kashyk. No, she thought. There was really nothing to wonder about. It had to do with that creep Kashyk.
"Tom," B'Elanna said as they lugged their climbing gear with them down the corridors to his quarters, "I think that Kashyk affected her."
"Yeah? How?"
"Tom, where were you? Haven't you been listening to rumours? They were quite chummy, down in the mess hall, and I heard that they kissed."
"Shame on you, B'Elanna, to feed from the gossipmongers mill." Tom did a double take. "They kissed?"
B'Elanna burst out laughing at Tom's comical expression. By this time they had reached his quarters, and were busy stuffing the gear into his wardrobe. She watched as he carefully handled the crampons and stacked them neatly away.
"Tom..." He turned to look at her.
"Yeah?"
"Chakotay...he feels shut out. She has sort of withdrawn from him. I think..."
"B'Elanna, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"He loves her, you know."
"B'Elanna, sweetheart - "
"He's unhappy, Tom."
"You're suggesting we do something about it? Help two adults find themselves?" This time Tom looked at her with complete disbelief and outrage.
"She's unhappy, Tom."
Tom gave a sigh. He came to stand in front of her.
"And we have to help them, right?"
"Now, we're talking," she crowed happily and sailed into his arms. B'Elanna hauled him to the bed where she divested him of his clothing in the amount of time it took him to say, "Yes, Ma'am."
******************
On the bridge Chakotay could not dispel the feeling of gloom as he sat staring at the main viewscreen. Kathryn was sitting about an arm's length away, so close he could lean over only slightly and touch her hand. He knew if he looked at her as he leaned over, that he could see the little flecks in the pupils of Kathryn's eyes. He was always aware of her sitting so close to him. Most times he could smell her perfume, the freshly washed hair of apples and brandy, curious combination, but so familiar to him. There were the times she turned to face him, smiling broadly as they discussed Tom's latest maneuver, or Neelix's ever ebullient lapsing into the wonders of leola root, or she teased him about a few greying hairs peeking at his temples. In those moods he understood Kathryn, was happy that she was happy and he could walk the ship for an entire day feeling like floating on clowds because Kathryn had a good day.
Now, he didn't have to look at her to sense how dejected she had become, how detached and vacant and unhappy, the dejected droop to her mouth. Mostly, he sensed the melancholy. He felt so badly like touching her hand in solace, for he sensed too, that that was what she needed. He cocked his head slightly so that he could see her hand resting on the armrest of her chair, see the slight trembling of the fingers. He hesitated only a fraction before allowing his resolve to carry his intention through. Chakotay placed his hand on hers, giving it a soothing, friendly squeeze. She looked quickly at him, then at their hands, her trembling under his.Kathryn's eyes closed a second, but not before he saw the deep unhappiness in them.
"Chakotay, you have the bridge," she said quietly, then rose and fled quickly to the sanctuary of her ready room.
"Aye...Captain..." he replied as he looked at her retreating figure.
Chakotay didn't have to look at the officers on the bridge to know that the exchange between him and Kathryn did not go unnoticed. He sighed. So what else is new, on a starship the size of Voyager somewhere in the Delta Quadrant? They caught the vibes of unrest in their most senior officer on board and didn't fail to note that relations between Captain and First Officer were also a little strained. If he got up and followed Kathryn, it was just worsen matters. But he decided nonetheless to feed some more grist to Voyager's rumour mill. He got up and approached Tuvok.
"Commander, you have the bridge," and with that he scaled the two steps and pressed the chime of the ready room door.
*****************
In a characteristic pose, Kathryn Janeway was sitting on her couch, elbow on its backrest, thumb under her chin, forefinger against her temple, in a deeply contemplative gesture. She was staring, looking through the viewing portal at...nothing. Although the ship was traveling at warp 8, and the stars looked like colourful streaks that meshed rainbow like across the viewing port, Kathryn hardly noticed. He drew in his breathand expelled it on a long sigh as he walked towards her. He had opened the ready room door when Kathryn didn't respond. He doubted that she even heard him enter.
"Kathryn."
Only then she turned around to look at him. Something inside him wanted to break. Instead, he felt a sharp stab of a spear that pierced right through him. He had always vowed that he would never want to see Kathryn look like she did in these monents - so cast into deep gloom.
He seated himself next to her, facing her. He touched her cheek, brushed away a stray strand of hair. Kathryn's eyes closed at his touch.
"You can tell me, Kathryn."
He knew about Kashyk, knew that they had been close during the time Kashyk had been on board. They had something he envied and resented at the same time. Envied, because Kathryn came alive and thrived bouncing ideas with an alien she knew hardly more than a few weeks. Resented, because, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't put that look in Kathryn's eyes the time Kashyk had been part of her aura. He had always imagined that what there was, was enough for him. He felt jealous, jealous of a man gone one month, and one whom they'll never see again. Chakotay gave a little inward sigh. It wasn't what Kathryn needed to hear. She needed him to be there, be strong for them both in these moments that he felt she needed him.
"Kathryn..." he tried again when she didn't respond the first time.
"What is there to tell, Chakotay? He's gone. I'm... here."
"And I'm here, Kathryn," Chakotay said softly.
She sighed as her hand covered his.
"I - " and she seemed to consider her next words, "have these dreams. Of him. They are..." she struggled to speak then; he could see her throat working, and her eyes reddening from unshed tears.
"You want him with you in those moments?"
"Yes," she said so softly, he could almost not hear her. "Yes," she repeated. "Maybe I hoped too much..."
"What...?"
"That he'd change, and not have to be like the rest of his people. He sounded like he wanted to, you know. I - I thought he might."
"He was always going to turn back on his pledge, Kathryn," Chakotay replied. "You did the right thing."
She did do the right thing, he thought, not trusting Kashyk enough to let him gain the upperhand in their game of wit they played. In that he knew, Kathryn had been every inch the Captain, acting on her instincts and letting Kashyk go even as he gained much of Kathryn's affection. Kathryn looked away, then turned to face him again, giving a wan smile.
"I know... and it...hurts, you know."
"Come here," he said, and drew her into his embrace. There he held her close to him, her hair just under his chin, his hand cupping her head. He could feel how her slight frame shook as she wept quietly. "Kathryn...he had good intentions..." he said on a sober note. Kathryn lifted her face to him and a smile broke through the sadness.
"Maybe that was what kept me hoping, " she said, her voice stronger. "That he'd be different. It's nothing more than that, Chakotay."
Something flared bright and wonderful inside Chakotay.
"What would be more than that, Kathryn?" he asked.
"That you are here." She looked in his face, her eyes going over his so familiar features.
"Kathryn?"
"I need you, Chakotay, with me..."
"I know, Kathryn," he said, silently thanking his father for being right, as always. Yet, something told him that it was still too early to profess his true feelings for Kathryn.
She looked at him, a profusion of emotions playing across her features. Then she talked.
"He...affected me more than I thought, Chakotay. More than I thought," she repeated. "I - dream of him... and - and the dreams... they are...they are - " Kathryn looked away and a blush crept into her cheeks.
"Erotic?"
Her blue-grey eyes were darkened with shame and embarrassment as he placed his finger under her chin and turned her to face him. Kathryn nodded, and her eyes welled up again. This time, Chakotay could sense it was not because she missed Kashyk, but the fantasies he evoked in her dreams. It was clear Kathryn was repulsed by her own behaviour. Had he read her wrong in the last month? he thought with wonder. Still, Kashyk was Kashyk, suave, dashing, overwhelming, convincing and very, very persuasive. That was all Kashyk had. It was all on the surface, Chakotay realised with blinding clarity. There was not depth in him, nothing like compassion and empathy and humility and greatness of person that would have allowed for those depths.
"He was an exotic creature, Kathryn. I don't think you can blame yourself for being drawn to him."
"He was...empty," Kathryn said, unknowingly confirming Chakotay's suspicions. "I want to forget, Chakotay. Help me. You are right now... my only...constant."
Kathryn needed him. The knowledge rang like a song through him.
"Kathryn," he said, looking into her face. He took her hand, lacing her fingers with his, much like they did on New Earth." You remember when we laced our fingers like this, so long ago?"
She nodded. A smile at last spreading over her features. Chakotay gave a sigh of relief.
"Your warrior swore he'd be by your side forever, Kathryn. He's still here, if you'll have him," he whispered to her, then waited with a heart that beat with terrifyingly erratic beats..
Kathryn touched his cheek, then traced his tattoo, going over each line. Chakotay watched her face, saw how very, very gradually the storm inside Kathryn was abating.
"You are the constant..." she said softly.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't more of what I promised then, Kathryn."
"Chakotay, I'm sorry that I didn't encourage you to be more than what you promised."
"I want to be now, Kathryn. More than what I promised. Be there, always."
"I - " she frowned, then looked at him, as if a thought struck at her like lightning, "want you to be. Very much."
"So you want me to drive away your demons?"
She smiled, appearing suddenly relieved, lighthearted. A weight lifted off him.
"Dinner in my quarters, Commander."
"Are you sure, Kathryn? I could hold your hand afterwards if you like..." he suggested, suddenly bold.
"Yes..."
Chakotay wished he could take her right there, as she pressed herself against his broad chest, then lifted her face to him.
"Kathryn...?"
"Not a word," she breathed. "Just kiss me..."
He kissed her deeply, her arms going round his neck, her mouth opening under his. He was breathing heavily, then he pulled suddenly away from her. Kathryn's mouth curved into a slow smile. The kiss had been electrifying. Her eyes had gone soft and her lips redder than normal. Chakotay took in a deep breath.
"Kathryn, you have fifteen minutes to collect yourself and take the bridge."
With that he got up and strode out of the ready room, leaving a gaping Kathryn Janeway still staring for long moments at the door.
Kathryn Janeway stared at the door through which Chakotay had just exited. She shook her head, still too bemused at what had just happened. Yes, she had kissed Kashyk; his kiss had been tender, caressing, and she had given in to the headiness of the kiss. Only, she realised with blinding insight, it wasn't Kashyk kissing her, but Chakotay. She had turned her mouth into Kashyk's hand, kissed him back, and the flash of Chakotay's face was what she had seen. Suddenly, it all came so together, she thought, too overtaken by the wonder of how Chakotay had just kissed her. All the time...all the time, she realised, it was how she had always wanted Chakotay to touch her. Always. Subconcsiously, she had fought her attraction for so long, holding Chakotay at arm's length so long...
He loves me...I love him...I am not afraid. Not anymore... Kashyk was a fantasy...
Kathryn smiled and touched her lips with trembling fingers.
*****************
This time it was the second movement of the Mahler symphony playing. She was pressed back against the pillows. Her body was on fire, tingling in every fibre. Already she could feel the familiar slickness between her legs, and she knew she was ready. He had not even touched her.
Again, the music moved her, the mood changing in the lilting melody, the woodwinds and trumpets' theme taken by the rare showing of the strings. He loomed over her, saying:
"My love, do you want me distract you?"
"Oh yes... distract me...love me..." Her plea was soft, thready.
"Then let me love you, Kathryn. We'll have a night to remember."
"Please... " she pleaded as she guided his hands to the thin straps of her gown. And oh, so inordinately gently, he hooked his fingers under the straps and slipped it over her shoulders. He pulled it down, and exposed her breasts, the nipples erect, and inviting. She gasped, and he looked long at her, his eyes roaming the creamy skin. Then he pulled the gown off her completely.He took his fill of her, looking like a thirsty man, his fingers caressing her smooth, milky skin, quivering over her breasts, resting at her hips. Then he cupped her face with both hands, his face very close to hers.
"I love you, Kathryn Janeway," he whispered raggedly, then lowered his head to her breasts. He moved over her, parting her legs, capturing her hands above her head. His mouth covered one nipple, took the other in turn, moving down, till his face rested at her centre. Her breathing became shallow, and ragged. Her breasts heaved, rising and falling like a soft cadenza.
It was the music in her head; in harmonious counterpoint her body moved to receive him, allowing him inside her. She welcomed his strong thrusts, filling her so completely. He groaned as she moved her hips and arched her back, to move hard with him.
She moved with him, gasping as she felt herself nearing the edge.
She raised her legs high around him so that he plunged deep into her, pounding, like the beat of the tympani. Again the music reached a crescendo, higher and higher, faster and faster, each beat, each separate rhythm and melody working together to crash once again to the sound of resounding cymbals.
She screamed his name then as she crashed over the edge.
The movement suspended, then came down softly, diminuendo to its end, with only the soft echo of the woodwinds remaining.
Kathryn opened her eyes and looked at her lover, his face suffused with peace.
"I love you, Chakotay."
*************
Tom Paris stood outside the quarters of Captain Kathryn Janeway, with a smug smile. Word had it that the Captain and First Officer kissed and made up. Well, the entire crew breathed a huge sigh of relief. That was only a week ago. Now, to everybody's surprise? expectation? their two most senior officers were no longer dancing carefully around each other. He just wondered what it was that turned the tide so dramatically. For dramatic it was. Way back, when the two of them were stranded on New Earth, the crew expected the Captain and First Officer to make an announcement somewhere in Voyager's future. But at the time, and contrary to what everyone thought, nothing happened. Nothing of note on New Earth, they said, and nothing subsequently.
In fact, the opposite was true then. For a very long time, relations between their commanding officers had been even more strained than before they were stranded on New Earth. That was something which almost every romantic crew member had hoped: that these two great personalities would make a life together. Instead, stories filtered through to every deck about the legend of the Angry Warrior. Seeing as nothing happened between the Captain and the Commander then, these legends were never given substance, except in some people's fertile imagination. Courtesy a la Neelix. They were all quite sorry, and word had it that it was the Captain who was holding out. The Commander was all ready to dispel the theory of any angry warrior and let legend become reality.
How disappointed most of them were. Especially as they thought that the Captain was letting such unimportant issues like duty and command stand in the way of complete happiness. Yes, and every time they came across a new or alien race, and made first contact, they surmised that their dear Captain made more than first contact than in the conventional sense. No one liked what was happening then, but the more prurient would always add some lascivious label to the captain's intentions with her so-called first contact. And always, so the crew agonised, she left her angry warrior bereft of those attentions she so generously awarded to handsome aliens.
Yes, the haunting lament of the First Officer's torch song could be heard day after day. Particular since they left Devore space. Tom thought privately that even on a mighty starship, gossip could be the only sustenance for many. Gossip was rife that the Captain lost her heart to that alien (creep - as many referred to him) Kashyk. Who, of course did not deserve the Captain's attention, much less her love. What then of our dear First Officer? The one who was the confidant of many crew members? The one who was Voyager's in loco counsellor? He of the incredibly sexy tattoo? Even she of the number name failed to comprehend the Captain's smittance with that man. That man. That was how many of the crew also called him. Never by his name. For in doing so, they might just give him identity and personality.
They were concerned that their First Officer might pine and die, so dejected he looked most of the time in the last month.
"She pushed him out of her life."
"No, that man took part of her with him."
"What then about the warrior?"
"Duty will stand in the way, once again."
"Hitching with aliens for a short period of time is non-threatening."
"They don't make demands on her."
"With her warrior she would have to commit herself to a RELATIONSHIP," most said. "That's why it's easier for her in these transient unions. They are literally ships that pass in the night."
One would have to be a complete dolt, and completely naive to imagine that things weren't happening on Voyager.
Now Tom Paris, sometime gossip extraordinaire, took his hat off to the others spreading rumours around the ship. Fine, so they kissed and made up. He hoped they'd always hear more positive news from the command team. He was really glad to see Chakotay smile again, and see the Captain lose that melancholy air.
But he was here...he almost forgot what he was here for. He knocked, and upon her invitation, entered.
"Captain." Tom stood, stiff as a ramrod.
"At ease, Tom," she smiled. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"Captain, I wish to return a favour."
Kathryn Janeway looked at Tom Paris, and her heart almost burst with pride. This was the young man who not so long ago, after his demotion to ensign, became the target of some vicious crew, and was beaten to within an inch of his life. He held nothing against her, although relations were strained between them for a while. It had been as difficult for her as it was for him to begin the healing between them. Now, it could only go forward, as he himself told her not so long ago. She had presented him with a scale model of the Bounty, that 18th century tall ship, a beautiful vessel under the command of Captain Bligh. It was not a peace offering as some might have thought, but the symbolic message lying in the relationship between Captain Bligh and its First Officer, Mr Christian. Tom was quick to draw the analogy she wanted to express through her gift to him. She could still see Tom's utter fascination as he held the Bounty in his hands.
Now she looked at Tom, seeing the expectant look on his face.
"Well, what is it?" she asked.
"Captain, it is not my intention to rake up old memories, but I designed a holodeck programme for you. We - that is, B'Elanna and I, together with Harry and Susan Nicoletti, worked on this. You have to use it tomorrow night, at 2100."
"So Tom, what is this programme?"
He hesitated a fraction before he spoke.
"Captain, you remember when the Devore - " he saw her almost pained expression then said,
"I'm sorry - "
"No, no, go ahead. It's nothing. I'm okay."
"Well, they played the Mahler Symphony. First and second movements."
"My favourite. I see Tom, some of what you learnt at home you remember," she said pleasantly surprised.
"I did some research, Captain. Mahler composed some years before that a song cycle, which was autobiographic in its theme. He incorporated the themes of every song into the four movements of the symphony. The first two speak, as it were of his happiness, the next two of his conflict, which at the end of the fourth movement, ends in victory, having come to peace within himself."
Tom paused. Then he held up a PADD. "The entire symphony is here, Captain, for you to listen to tonight. But B'Elanna, Harry, Seven and I invite you to attend a concert on the holodeck tomorrow at 2100."
Tom looked at Kathryn Janeway, her expression of gratitude.
"Permission to speak freely Captain?"
"Go ahead Tom."
"This is my own opinion, which I share not even with B'Elanna. I'd like to say that when the Devore were on Voyager with their Chief Inspector, that it was an interlude. But you know interludes, Captain. They are just that. When its finished, it is finished. Now, it's your intermezzo. A very pleasant one at that."
"Tom, thank you so much!"
Tom almost bristled with pride. His Captain was smiling! That was some progress now. He added:
"Captain, it's dress formal tomorrow night. Wear black..." he whispered conspiratorially.
***************
Kathryn Janeway walked down the corridor toward holodeck two. She was dressed in a long low cut black gown, held at her shoulder by two thin straps. It clung at her waist, then slinked to her ankles, rustling softly as she walked, on high heeled strap sandals. Her hair was brushed up, held by an ornate little black comb, and round her neck hung a diamond pendant, complemented by the matching diamond earrings. In a word, Captain Kathryn Janeway looked stunning.
She positively glided toward where Tom was waiting for her outside the holodeck, looking very attractive in his black tuxedo.
"Captain."
"I'm ready, Tom. Surprise me."
"Don't worry about that, Captain. Not to worry."
Tom keyed in the code and the doors of the holodeck slid open.
Tom enjoyed the look of utter surprise on her face as she looked around her. It was the foyer of the Vienna Concert Hall, and there, in the corner, waiting for her, stood Chakotay. Looking so, so good in his black tuxedo, white dress shirt with tiny gold pins in the frill, a black bow tie. He smiled at her, a smile that reached his eyes, those incredible dimples and she thought her heart would burst.
Her eyes were indeed shining as he stepped forward, and took her hands in his. There was a message in his eyes. "I love you" it said. He leaned forward and kissed her on her cheek, careful not to smudge her make-up. When he hooked her arm in his, and proceeded toward the door, B'Elanna stepped forward. Dressed in a black trousers and white blouse.
"I'm your usher," she said. "I'm working front of House. I get to take you to your seat."
Tom had been standing by the panel, and the scene changed to the auditorium of the Consertgebouw. Kathryn looked at Chakotay, said nothing and just let the whole ambience of the evening take over.
B'Elanna showed them to their chairs, and they took their seats.
"Captain, Commander," she said, a broad smile on her face, enjoy the evening."
With that she left. In fact, they were the only crew in the concert hall. Tom had constructed, magnificently, the rest of the audience.
She looked at Chakotay. He squeezed her hand gently, said:
"I love you, Kathryn," and he leaned over and kissed her on the mouth.
"I love you, Chakotay," she whispered.
They looked at the stage. Seated were the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In full strength. How on earth did Tom do this? she wondered.
The members of the orchestra rose as the conductor walked on to stage to take his place on the podium. A tall, white haired gentleman dressed magnificently in tails, walked to the centre, stood next to the dais, and bowed to the audience. Then he stood on the dais, and faced his orchestra, his appearance excessively dignified. Imperious. He took his baton, his hands raised slightly in front of him.
On the instant the baton made its first, almost imperceptible movement, Herbert Von Karajan guided the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra into the first strains of Symphony No.1 in D Major by Gustav Mahler.
THE END
sempre legato
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