DISCLAIMER: Star Trek Voyager is the property of Paramount Studios. We get no monetary compensation from writing this. We just got bored and decided to borrow them for awhile and have some fun!! THIS STORY IS RATED: NC17 LAG by Orlith and Kadith ************** Captains Log: Stardate: who the hell cares? We have been invited to take shoreleave on Lagrid One. The planet's surface is mostly covered with oceans. Many of the crew have scheduled cruise trips across the oceans. I've noticed that most of the crew has scheduled their trips with each other, in groups of two." Kathryn laughed. "Well, at least this lets me see who is with who. I don't think I will take the time to go down. There's just too much work to be done here." Janeway ended her log entry just as the door chimed. With a sigh, she called out "Come in." Chakotay stepped into Kathryn's office, prepared for an argument. He knew from looking at the shoreleave roster that she'd once again opted to work, instead of play. Chakotay shook his head, indeed she sat hunched over a pile of data padds, obviously it was going to be another of THOSE conversations. He moved to stand directly in front of her desk. "Kathryn." He waited for her to answer. Janeway looked up at him, a stubborn look already on her face. She knew full well what he was going to say. "Yes Commander, what is it?" "I was just wondering if you'd noticed that your name was 'accidently' left off the shoreleave roster?" He cocked an eyebrow. Kathryn groaned softly. *Here we go..* she thought. Picking up several PADDs from her desk, she waved them in his direction. "There was no accident Commander. I don't have time to spend lounging around on some cruise ship right now. There's too much to be done here. Besides, what would I do if I did go down? Lie around in a skimpy bikini all day working on my tan?" Her voice was slightly sarcastic with that last remark. Chakotay thought inwardly, *Yes Damnit!* "You could do anything you liked, perhaps read those reports while on the cruise ship. You've been working too hard Kathryn, its starting to show." He frowned, she was starting to look her age. Kathryn glared at him, *Why is he looking at me like that?* She leaned back, stretching. "I'm too tired to have this discussion right now." she said softly. Getting up, Janeway walked over and sat down on the couch. Unconsciously, she rubbed her neck with one hand as she looked at him. "There just isn't time for that right now Chakotay. I have to get those reports taken care of." Chakotay sat beside her on the sofa, without realizing it he instictively reached over and began to massage the muscles in her neck. "Kathryn, those reports aren't going to go anywhere, and frankly, Voyager isn't going to fall apart if you take one day off. The reports will be waiting for you when you return, and so will Voyager." Kathryn muttered something under her breath, poking him in the side. Her motion tickled him, realizing it, she started to tickle him in ernest. Chakotay grunted, then quickly pinned her arms to her sides, twisting about he pulled both of them off the couch and onto the carpeted floor. Once he had her pinned down, he tickled her back, enjoying the muffled squeals she made as she tried to get away. Chakotay leaned down close to her, his lips almost touching hers. "I'm going to hold you down here like this until you agree.." Kathryn met his eyes, grinning mischieviously. "Isn't there some protocol that forbids a junior officer from tickling the Captain?" As she spoke, she wriggled her hands free and tickled his ribs with a giggle. Chakotay growled at her, quickly grabbing her hands and pinning them to her sides, "We can stay here like this all day if that's what it takes Kathryn." a smirk on his face, he proceeded to tickle her until she was gasping for air. Taking pity on her, he stopped, still holding her hands in his, "Well? Are you coming on shoreleave with me or do I have to continue?" A soft sound, almost like a purr left her throat. She found herself staring at his soft, full lips. It was all she could do not to kiss him right there. "I don't know Commander," she teased softly. "I make it a practise not to go on a romantic ocean cruise alone..." Chakotay smiled, his lips nearly touching her own. "Well in that case," He moved both hands down her sides, then hauled them both up to their feet. "You and I are going on a cruise together...Uh uh, too late." he saw the instinctive protest enter her eyes. "You had your chance." He lightly brushed her lips then turned to leave. On his way out the door he called back. "I'll meet you in the transporter room in an hour. And don't forget to pack that bikini." Kathryn glared at his back as he walked out of her ready room. *Now what have I gotten myself into?* she wondered. With a slight smile on her face, she shut off the console on her desk. Stacking the PADDs neatly, she briefly debated bringing the reports with her, deciding against it. She knew Chakotay would not let her work on this trip. Kathryn left the bridge to Tuvok, and went to her quarters. She packed several comfortable items of civilian clothing into a bag, then stopped for a m moment. With a evil smirk on her face, she walked over to the replicator. With a few touches on the keypad, she ordered a very skimpy white bikini. Smirking, she picked up the small scrap of cloth and walked back to her bag. Looking at it for a second, she grinned. "We'll see if you can handle this one hot shot!" she said aloud as she placed it inside the bag. Looking around, she left and went to the transporter room where Chakotay waited. Chakotay stood waiting in the transporter room, he'd give her two more minutes, then he was going to go drag her down there....and damnit, she'd better not be reading those reports again! He turned and stepped through the doors, walking right into Kathryn. Kathryn almost slammed right into him as the doors opened. She gave him a dirty look. "What? I'm here right on time!" She stood looking at him. Chakotay just stared at her for a moment. Kathryn was dressed Casually in a soft white poets blouse with tight fitting black cotton pants that hugged her musculed legs. She had on a pair of black suede boots that reached to midcalf and carried a shoreleave bag slung over her shoulder. Her hair was loose around her face, falling in soft, silken waves over her neck and shoulders. A soft black leather belt held the shirt around her waist, emphasizing her slender form. A silver necklace graced her throat, with a dark blue crystal pendant that hung just at the top of her breasts. Chakotay stood speechless for a moment. "I uh, just um, wanted to uh..uh, make sure you were um, coming....yeah that was it." Kathryn raised one eyebrow at him. "Well, what are we waiting for? Are you ready to leave?" Chakotay could only nod. Kathryn raised a brow as she walked past him, a smile forming on her lips. When Chakotay turned to follow he was rewarded with a very nice few of her slender rear. Kathryn grinned at him over her shoulder, "Well? Get your butt in gear Chakotay, and stop staring at mine!" They stepped up on the transporter padd and within seconds the familiar tingle of the transporter beam took effect. They materialized on the planet, surrounded by a tropical haven. Kathryn looked around them. "It's beautiful here!" she exclaimed. As she turned to survey the ocean before them, her eyes were drawn to a large, graceful white ship anchored in the harbor. "Is that the ship we are going to?' she asked Chakotay. Chakotay nodded, "That's it, and Kathryn," He added when she started toward it. "This place is not nearly as beautiful as you.." He walked ahead of her then, leaving her to stare after him. Inwardly he thought, *wear an outfit like that, and see what it gets you.* A smile covered her face as she stared after him. Kathryn quickly caught up to him, taking his hand in hers. Together they walked towards the docks where a smaller ship waited to carry them to the waiting liner. As they approached, Kathryn gave a slight inward groan at the sight of Tom, B'Ellana, Harry, Seven amd Neelix already waiting in the small launch. She muttered to Chakotay, "Well, there goes the betting pool through the roof.." Chakotay grinned, then when they'd reached the steps the the launch, he turned to her, a very wicked gleam in his eyes. With his back to the others he whispered, "Well, if we are gonna be damned, it might as will be for something they've actually seen." That was the only warning she got before he leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips against hers. Then he casually took her shoulder bag and helped her into the launch. He seated them directly across from Tom and B`Elanna, Kathryn's hand still intertwined with his. Kathryn could not help the smile that covered her face at the open stares from Tom and B'Ellana. Stifling a giggle, she leaned over and wrapped her arm around his waist. At his quizical look, she pulled his face to hers, and kissed him again. Her eyes met his as they pulled apart, laughing. Tom's jaw was practically in his lap. He looked over at the others in shock, none of them could believe that the Captain and Commander would show such open affection for each other. Kathryn looked at Tom with a grin. "What's wrong Tom? Don't tell me you've never seen two people kiss each other before." she teased. Tom could only manage a few incoherent sounds, "uhh, uhh...I uh." Chakotay started to laugh. The others with the exception of Seven who only wondered at the relevance of the conversation, sat staring at the pair. Chakotay recovered and laid an arm across Kathryn's shoulders, "Well you know, he's just so sheltered Kathryn." Kathryn laughed, "How true." she purred. "Wouldn't want to shock the poor dear..." Tom just sat there staring. B'Ellana started to laugh at the look of shock on his face. "Don't look so surprised Tom," she said. "You know as well as the rest of did that there was something up with those two.." The Voyager crew sat there talking as the launch carried them out to the waiting ship. Once the smaller vessel was secured against the bright white hull of the large ship, they were helped aboard. A ships purser met them on the quarterdeck. "Welcome to the 'Tarot Star'!" he said. "If you will just follow me, I will show you to your staterooms." Kathryn and Chkotay followed arm in arm as they were taken to the stateroom reserved for them. Kathryn looked around the large room with a smirk, noticing that there was only one rather large bed. Grinning at him, she motioned towards the couch against the wall. "Look Chakotay! They brought a couch in here for you!" Chakotay grinned and leaned closer to her. "No dear, I had them bring it in here for you. The bed is mine, but you're welcome to share it if you desire." He turned and moved to empty the contents of the bag that he carried. Kathryn tossed her own bag aside, moving quickly up behind him she flipped him onto the bed with a jerk. Kathryn wasted no time pinning him under her body, straddling him. Leaning down close to him, her deep blue eyes met his. "I'm the Captain, I get the bed." she said. Chakotay raised an eyebrow, "Oh really," With one thrust of his hips he flipped them, landing firmly atop Kathryn. He pinned her arms to the bed and lowered his head. "Well then you're going to have to share. I specifically ordered the king sized bed for me." His lips were brushing against her own as he spoke. "Is that a fact?" she purred softly. Her lips met his, catching his lower lip she gently bit him as she shifted slightly under him, pressing her breasts into his chest. Chakotay shifted his position, letting go of her hands he moved his own up her sides. Letting them rest just below her breasts. He pulled his head back briefly. "Yes, it is." Then he pressed his lips against her own, tracing her bottom lip with his tongue. Kathryn moaned softly into his mouth. Her arms moving to wrap around him, she brought one leg up to brush against his side. Looking at him, she whispered against his ear "What happens if Tom or one of the others comes looking for us?" Chakotay smiled against her lips. "Then I guess they get a lesson in, physics, chemistry, and anything else I can think of." He kissed her once more, slowly parting her lips and slipping his tongue within. She growled softly, returning his kiss passionately. Her hands found their way under his shirt to caress his bare skin. Kathryn groaned again as he quickly pulled her blouse from her body, his eyes devored the sight of her lying beneath him. Only a soft white lace bra covering her breasts. Chakotay 's eyes darkened with desire. Lowering his head he made a silent thanks to the spirits that the bra fastened in the front. He brushed his lips across her neck, then moved lower across her collar bone, and lower still to her chest. Placing feather light kisses in the valley between her breasts, he paused momentarily above the clasp to the wisp of white lace. Then Chakotay used his teeth to open the bra. It practically melted away in his mouth. Kathryn moaned again, she was his to do with what he would. Taking a nipple into his mouth, he nipped gently, suckling like a babe. The incredible heat of his mouth brought her eyes open. The sight before her sent a jolt of heat racing through her veins. His skin was a rich bronze against hers. As she looked, he switched his attention from one breast to the other. Gently, he kissed her nipple. Then, his tongue slowly came out to stroke over the hardened bud before he drew it completely into his mouth. Kathryn drew in a deep, shaking breath and acting from instinct, she slid her hands up over his powerful shoulders to the back of his head and pressed him more closely to her. A husky moan of pure pleasure escaped her lips. Chakotay gently grazed his teeth against the taught bit of flesh before raising his head and then proceeding lower. Across her belly, using teeth and tongue in tandem. Chakotay paused just above the fastening to the pants she wore. He looked up, searching her eyes. His hands moving across her upper torso, the backs them teasing her nipples. Kathryn met his gaze, her eyes dark with desire. "Well damn it don't stop now!" she muttered at him. Her hands moved to his body, pulling his clothing from him. Her fingers gently ran over his erection, brushing his hot, hard flesh. She leaned closer to him, her lips and tongue hot on his neck. A low whimper left her at the feel of him so hard and strong against her. Kathryn gently nipped at his ear, whispering softly. "I need you..." Chakotay lowered his head, and using his teeth once more, he unfastened her pants and then ran his hands down her sides to pull them down, past her hips and beyond her calves. He tossed them aside, not noticing where they landed, not caring. Then he nipped at her skin, just above the bikini briefs she wore. He slowly slid her panties past her hips and tossed them aside, again not noticing or caring where they landed. Then Chakotay proceeded to nip his way downward, pausing just beyond the deep auburn curls between her thighs. He pressed his lips against her, pulling the skin into his mouth, against his teeth, leaving his mark. She was his, now and forever. Kathryn 's body arced up to him, aching. She groaned, pleading with him. "Oh please..Chakotay..don't stop..." Chakotay would not have denyed her that had his life depended on it. Moving lower began to brush his lips along the inside of her thigh, moving toward her knee, then back again. Then he repeated the movement, on the other thigh. He moved inward, pausing just above her hot wet center, his breath could be felt against her. Kathryn twisted under his attentions. Soft moaning cries escaped her with each breath. Her hips lifted slightly towards him in a silent plea. Her eyes were closed, one hand found its way to his head, her fingers buried in the softness of his hair. Her entire body trembled with need. She was out of control with desire for him. Chakotay lowered his head lightly brushing his lips against the hot, wet, swollen folds there. Chakotay parted his lips and let his tongue dart out to press against yet another taught bit of flesh. Kathryn jumped, crying out his name as his hot tongue met her flesh. "Chakotay!" she gasped out. He groaned, his tongue tasting her intimately. Chakotay thrust his tongue inside her, thrilled by her reaction to him. Kathryn growled, she caught him by the wrist, pulling him up over her. Her lips met his in a hungry kiss. Her legs parted, wrapping around him. Chakotay groaned with hunger, the soft moist heat of her against his erection almost undid him. Chakotay held her tightly against him as he slowly slid into her. He moaned her name, she was tight, it was all he could do to not lose control. He withdrew then slowly sank into her once more, he repeated the motion, gathering speed, and strength with each thrust. Kathryn cried out with pleasure. Her body rose to meet his deep thrusts eagerly. Her nails raked gently over his back as she pressed her body to his. Out in the passageway, Tom stopped dead in front of the door to the stateroom the purser had told him was shared by the Captain and Chakotay. His eyes grew huge as he heard the Captain unmistakably cry out Chakotay's name passionately. "Oh my god..." he said. B'Ellana came up to him, "Hurry up and see if they want to join us on deck." she said. Tom turned to her, blushing. "Somehow, I don't think Chakotay would appreciate me interrupting right now..." he trailed off as another passionate cry from the Captain came to them through the closed door. B'Ellana's jaw dropped open. "Are they doing what I think they're doing?!" she squeaked. Tom grabbed her arm, "Lets go...leave them alone." The two of them headed off to the main deck, giggling with each other. Inside, Kathryn clutched at his shoulders as she neared her climax. Her body trembled against him, waves of pleasure beginning to course through her. Chakotay intertwined his hands with hers and pressed them into the bed, just above her head. Sweat rolled off his back as he thrust deeply, and powerfully into Kathryn, trying to hold his own climax at bay for a few moments longer. His attempts were in vain, he cried out her name as he came, spilling his release within her as he thrust one last time. She felt his release spill hotly into her, triggering her own climax. Kathryn nearly screamed as the waves of overpowering pleasure washed over her. She lay shaking beside him, his arms holding her close. She kissed his lips gently, tracing the outline of his tattoo with her fingers. Whispering softly, she said "I love you Chakotay..." Chakotay sighed contentedly, "I loved you from the beginning, Kathryn." Her name on his lips was a whisper, a wistful promise of things to come. Kathryn smiled sleepily. Curling up against him, she soon fell asleep. Her head resting on his shoulder. Chakotay brushed a stray lock of her dark auburn hair gently from her face. Gently, he kissed her temple as he watched her sleep. His eyes closed, soon he too slept, holding her tightly in his embrace. ************ Kathryn woke up slowly, becoming aware of a warm strong form holding her. Opening her eyes, she looked into Chakotay's smiling face. With a faked scowl, she growled at him "You still here?" Chakotay raised an eyebrow, "I could ask you the same thing." He quickly appraised her body, sometime during their little 'nap', the sheet had fallen well past her waist. He reluctantly tore his eyes away to gaze at the bathroom door. He looked back at her with an mischevous gleam in his eye, "I wonder how well that shower works?" His eyebrow raised suggestively. Kathryn reached down and pulled the sheet back up to her neck, turning away from him she said simply, "Well, you know where it is." Chakotay sighed and got out of bed, he purposefully didn't make an attempt to cover his lean, bronzed muscular body. Kathryn make a point of not looking at him as he went into the shower. Once the door closed, she got up quickly and dressed. Kathryn put on the white bikini she had replicated prior to leaving Voyager, with a grin, she pulled a soft white cotton coverall over her and knocked on the bathroom door. "I'll meet you on the main deck!" she called out and then left. Chakotay grunted, he'd hoped she would join him in the shower. Chakotay showered quickly, then dressed in a loose pair of shorts, and a sleeveless shirt that he left unbuttoned. He slipped on a pair of shades as he stepped on to the deck of the large, graceful liner. He scanned the deck immediatlely spotting B'Elanna and Tom, then Harry and Seven. He looked around for Kathryn, he was sure she would have been with B`Elanna. He moved closer then stopped, Harry and Tom's attention seemed to be drawn to something, or someone. Chakotay removed the shades hoping to get a better look, his jaw dropped immediately. No wonder he hadn't noticed her before, he wasn't expecting her to look like this. Standing against the railing next to B`Elanna was Kathryn, wearing a tiny white bikini that barely had enough material to completely cover her breasts. Chakotay groaned inwardly, "Vixen" he said aloud. Her hair was twisted back in scrunci, which surprised him immensely considering the nickle sized hicky under her left ear. He shook his head, she was doing this to him on purpose, like he could help not noticing her beautifully sculptured legs, nicely toned arms, and her wonderfully shaped abs, damn he found that 'six pack' sexy as hell. And the tan, he quickly thanked who ever it was that had installed the sunlamps in Voyager's small salon. As he moved within hearing range of the group he noticed that Tom and Harry were uncharacteristically quiet, he chuckled, Harry's eyes were popping out of his head, and Tom was drooling. Had Kathryn not shifted her posture at that moment allowing him to see another small mark, made by himself on the inside of her thigh he would have been a very jealous man. Instead he simply snatched a towel from a near by rack and dropped it in Tom's lap as he walked past. Tom caught the towel Chakotay tossed to him. His eyes never left the Captain. "My god, I'll never be able to look at her on the bridge again." he moaned. Harry just blushed an even darker shade of red. Chakotay gave both of them a warning look. "Don't get any ideas..." he growled softly. Tom looked at him then, smirking he replied "From that mark on her leg, I'd say you have enough ideas of your own without needing any help from us.." Chakotay only raised an eyebrow, he moved to stand next to Kathryn and without giving her any warning, crooked his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. He shocked her further by slipping his tongue into her mouth. Just as she was beginning to respond to him, he pulled back, patted her on the rear and moved to sit next to Tom and Harry, where he would have a better 'view' of her. Kathryn grinned at his very jealous action. He did not fool her, from the moment she had taken off the coverall, Tom and Harry had almost fallen on their faces. Kathryn had been hard pressed not to break out laughing at the stunned looks on their faces. *Guess they did not think that a starship Captain could look like this...* she smirked silently. Kathryn slowly walked over to a lounge chair, sitting down she picked up a bottle of suntan lotion and began to slowly smooth it over her skin. Looking innocently at Chakotay, she said "Chakotay, would you mind rubbing some of this on my back?" Chakotay took the bottle from her and began to smooth some of the cool lotion onto her back. He smiled wickedly as he began rubbing it into her muscles, paying special attention to her sides. He moved his hands up her back, his touch light, and began to massage her shoulders. Kathryn stretched out on her belly, throughly enjoying his touch. With a satisfied smile on her face, she looked up at him over her shoulder. "You really do that so well, you know that? I might have to make this part of your duties Commander." Tom almost choked on his drink as he heard her soft, husky words. *My god...who ever would have thought?* he looked at B'Ellana with a grin on his face. "Looks like you owe me 10 replicator rations he whispered in her ear. They relaxed on the deck for several hours, finally Chakotay poked Kathryn playfully in the side. "I think its getting close to dinner time. Lets go back to the cabin and get ready to go eat." Kathryn laughed, "Sounds good to me, someone forced me to stay up late 'exerciseing'. I missed dinner last night thanks to that person..." Standing up, she extended her hand to him, waiting for him to join her. Chakotay chuckled, "Is that a complaint, because if it is, you know that sofa has your name written all over it." He raised both eyebrows, smiling playfully. Kathryn laughed at his look. "I'd like to see you try and make me sleep on that sofa, worse comes to worse - I'm sure I can find someone to share a bed with.." She looked at Harry as she said this last part, grinning even bigger at the way his face blushed beet red in a heartbeat. Chakotay pulled her against him once more. "Oh really," his voice was deep and had taken on a husky quality. "I think not." He lowered his head taking her mouth savagely before letting go and heading in the direction of their cabin. He turned a sly grin on his face "Coming," he paused, "Dear?" he tried to keep a straight face. A sudden evil light flashed in her eyes, quickly masked. "I hear, and I obey my Lord and Master.." Kathryn took off in a quick run dodging his grab for her. Not looking back, she sprinted off towards their cabin with Chakotay not far behind. Tom stood looking at B'Ellana, suddenly snickering he asked "So, who wants to take bets on whether or not they will be late for dinner - or not even show up?" They did eventually arrive for dinner, however they were more than 45 minutes behind the others, and both were smiling innocently. Chakotay nearly burst out laughing at the sight of Harry when they finally appeared. He'd been taking a drink and nearly choked on it, his face turning as red as the wine in his glass. He would never be able to look at his captain in the eye again. She was wearing one of Chakotay's shirts, left unbuttoned and tied at her waist. Beneath it was the white bikini top she'd been wearing earlier. He quickly looked away, his eyes had caught the bright purple mark on the swell of her right breast. Tom rose from his seat, unable to help himself he playfully circled the captain, "I hope Commander Chakotay enjoyed painting you into those pants Captain. I have to admit, who would have ever thought a Captain of a Starfleet vessel, could have a nice ass." He playfully tugged on the waist of the skin tight, tan pants she wore. When Tom caught the dangerously dark look on Chakotay's face he quickly retook his seat next to B'Elanna, who only joined Kathryn in laughing. Kathryn stifled a grin at the dangerously dark look on Chakotay's face. Pretending to not notice, she ordered from the menu and waited as the porter brought her drink to her. As she took a drink from the glass, the ship shivered slightly beneath them. At first, she paid the slight quiver no mind, but then the ship's engines grew softer and she realized that the vessel was no longer moving. Looking at Chakotay, she asked "Did you feel that?" Chakotay frowned, "Feel what?" Then the ship shuddered once more. He looked around the table to the others, they too had felt it. Kathryn frowned, "Something about that feels wrong. Like we just hit something.." She stood up, motioning to the others to follow her. From deep within the ship, the sound of groaning bulkheads drifted up to them faintly. "That is definately NOT a good sound." she said. "I agree." Chakotay took her hand and led the small group to the bridge of the ship, hoping to get some information from the ships crew. They exited the dining room and walked around the thin pathway that lead from the main deck to the forward section of the ship that housed the bridge. The deck of the ship was dark, the lights flickered on and off. From inside the ship, sudden screams of panic began to ring out. Kathryn spun around sharply, "What is going on?" Other passengers began to spill out on the deck, crying out incoherently. "The Beast!! We're doomed!!" Kathryn looked at Chakotay, confused. A sudden flurry of motion caught her attention down at the far end of the deck. She blinked, unable to believe her eyes. There appeared to be a large, dark green and black thing pulling itself over the side of the ship. At least a dozen tentacles waved around it. "What the hell is that?" she shouted. "I don't know, stay here. I'm going to go down to the cabin and grab our phasers." He squeezed her hand and trotted off. He had an eerie feeling about this, something always seemed to go wrong just when their lives were right. He moved quickly through the darkened cabin not pausing to turn on the lights, he knew exactly where the phasers were, he and Kathryn still had not unpacked their bags. He located them and quickly trotted back to the main deck. The sight that met his eyes was one that would haunt him the rest of his life. The deck was swarming with the hideous green creatures. Tom and B'Ellana were battling a pair of the large creatures, they had gotten ahold of some kind of projectile weapon from the ships crew. With a shout, Chakotay fired his phaser at the menacing beasts, fortunately his shots took immediate effect and the creature screamed as it shrank away and fled. Chakotay looked around, "Where's Kathryn? Harry?" Tom pointed to the opposite end of the deck, "Last time I saw them, they were fighting a couple of creatures over there." He two looked around for them. A shrill scream had them all spinning in a different direction. They ran towards where Tom had last seen them. Chakotay came around the aft end of the ship’s superstructure and froze in horror. Two of the creatures were attacking Kathryn and Harry and had pinned in a stairwell. Kathryn swung a long pole at the creatures tentacles, keeping them away. Chakotay fired at the beast, hitting it right in the center of its shapeless body. The thing screamed shrilly, and fled to disappear over the side. The second creature followed its mate. Kathryn leaned on hand on the door frame, looking at him in relief. From behind them, in the darkness of the dimly lit stairway a shadow shifted. Thick tentacles suddenly appeared, wrapping around Harry's legs swiftly. Harry cried out in pain from the barbed hooks in the center of the suckers lining the tentacles digging into his skin. Janeway whirled about with a cry, jabbing the pole into the creatures body trying to free Harry. Two more thick, powerful tentacles whipped around her body. Kathryn dropped the pole as the creature tightened its hold on her, squeezing her in its slimy grasp. Before Chakotay could do more than shout in denial, both Kathryn and Harry disappeared into the inky darkness of the stairwell as the thing pulled them down into the bowels of the ship. Chakotay screamed as he lunged forth, grabbing the pole that had been previously held by Kathryn. He ran after them, not paying attention to the twists and turns of the ship, then he stopped suddenly. Dead end, nowhere to go. He looked around frantically, then began to backtrack, thinking perhaps he’d missed a turn or perhaps a set of doors. Then suddenly he stopped cold, a shrill scream echoed through the ships hold, it could belong to only one person, “Harry,” he whispered to himself. He turned and began to run in the direction of the sound. He ran for several feet before coming to a galley, there was no where else to go, so he entered. Chakotay came to a dead stop inside the galley doors. Someone was screaming horribly, he ran toward it, going through another set of double doors. He stopped cold, Neelix was being held off the ground in the tentacles of one of the slimy creatures, its razor sharp teeth could be seen in its drooling mouth. Chakotay watched in horror as the beast drew the little man into its mouth, the sickening sound of ribs being broken filled the room, as well as the gargling as Neelix screamed, blood spurting forth from his mouth and the wounds of his midsection. The creature drew back, taking with it a large chunk of Neelix's stomach, exposing organs and broken ribs. Chakotay jerked backwards as blood flew outward from the wound. Neelix's screams were halted. Neelix collapsed to the deck, staring at his own internal organs in horror. He looked over at where Chakotay and Tom stood frozen in shock, before anyone could move the creature returned. The beast wrapped its tentacles around Neelix's body, jerking him towards its mouth. The beast bit into Neelix again, this time head first. There was one last pitiful scream, and then it was over. Chakotay watched in horror as two more creatures emerged from the darkness, pulling at what was left of him. There was a horrific tearing noise, then bits of flesh, bones flew forth, Chakotay stepped backwards out of the room. A bitter bile rose in his throat, from behind the doors he could still hear the sound of Neelix's body being torn to pieces. ********* Janeway struggled in the tight coils of the creature attacking her. The barbs in the suckers digging into her body, she was bleeding from dozens of gashes covering her. As they were pulled past a tool supply bench, somehow she managed to grab a long sharp metal spike. Using it, she stabbed repeatedly at the tentacle around her. The beast made an odd hissing sound, and then released her. Kathryn hit the deck hard, her right knee twisted sharply sending a firey burst of pain up her leg. Staggering, she still managed to stay on her feet staring in horror at the creature as it wound another tentacle around Harry. The beast shifted, revealing a massive yawning mouth, full of teeth. It bit Harry on the thigh, a strange gurgling sound came from it as it sucked blood from the wound. Harry shrieked in agony, venom in the beasts fangs burning through his veins. Kathryn shouted madly, charging at the beast. She drove the spike into its cold, staring eye. The creature dropped Harry with a shriek of its own. Harry fell to the deck, his hands clutching at his torn and bloody leg. The beast roiled around her, tentacles whipping around her the barbed hooks tearing into her body once more. Kathryn screamed in pain and rage. "HARRY!! GET UP! GET OUT OF HERE!!" Harry pulled himself towards a service elevator, unable to walk. Reaching it, he looked back. Janeway was held in the creatures grip, she looked at him - pain and terrible fear on her face. "RUN HARRY!! RUN!!!" she screamed at him. Turning back to the hideous thing attacking her, she began to drive the spike into its body again and again. Harry hit the control to close the door, tears running down his face. The last he saw of the Captain was her body arching in pain as the creature wound its coiled tentacles tighter around her body. ************ Chakotay rounded a corner, a service elevator lay straight ahead. It was there Tom and B'Elanna finally caught up with him. They were powered by fear as much as anger, but he was powered by love. Chakotay reached for the control pad, but as he did so the doors slid open, the trio was confused for a split second, no one stepped out. A pitiful moaning had them looking down. "Harry!" Tom stepped forward to help Chakotay pull him out. B'Elanna knelt beside his mangled body, "Kahless..." Tom muttered, "My God, Harry." His pants were torn and it was amazing that he'd made to the elevator at all. His leg was broken in two places with the bone jutting out of the skin. His side was wripped open to reveal damaged organs, and his arm was barely dangling at the shoulder, held there by only a few intact arteries. Chakotay had no time to worry, "Harry, what happened to Kathryn? Where is she?" Harry was barely able to breath, the venom in his body working quickly. He managed to rasp out, "I don't think she made it....." Chakotay didn't wait for the rest of the statement, he was already in the elevator heading downward. ********* The Captain could not breath, the beast trying to crush her in its grip. She swung the spike, slicing a deep wound in a thick coil around her leg. The hold on her loosened just a bit, enough for her to take a deep breath and then drive the spike deep into the creatures body, just above its gaping mouth. To her surprise and relief, the creature went limp almost at once. She fell to the deck, landing hard once more. Janeway lay still for a moment, then tried to get up. Part of Chakotay's shirt was caught on the beast's body. She was forced to remove the torn and bloody garment in order to get up. As she moved away from its body, a low hissing from the hatch behind her sent a thrill of fear down her spine. Not waiting to see what it was, she took off as quickly as her injured body would allow. Another of the creatures entered the hold as she made it to another elevator at the far end of the hold. The creature ignored her, going to the dead one and slowly began to drag the body off. Kathryn hit the controls, not caring what she hit in her panic to close the door. The elevator doors shut, and then it began to move down, to the next level of the hold. The creature pulled its dead companion off, as it moved over the floor, the torn, blood soaked shirt came loose from the barb that had snagged it. The beast disappeared down a cargo shuttleway, leaving the shirt lying on the deck amid the wreckage of the battle. Chakotay left the elevator at a run, nearly tripping over the wreckage from the battle. He stopped and began to look around, all that remained of the battle was a blood soaked deck. Then he saw it, it was wripped and mangled, and soaked with blood, but it was recognizable, the shirt Kathryn had been wearing. He looked around frantically, there was no sign of her, or the beast. With the shirt still in hand he turned and headed back to the elevator, he would not believe she was dead. He couldn't. Chakotay exited the elevator and made his way back up to the main deck, stopping at the weapons locker briefly. As he stepped on to the deck, he had the mangled, blood soaked shirt and ammunition in one hand, a 20th Century style rifle in the other. As he walked he pumped the rifle with the upward jerk of his arm. He approached Tom, his face set in a determined frown. "Have the other's made it back to Voyager?" Tom nodded, "We're the only ones left, and B'Elanna is helping to evacuate the other passengers. They're gonna blow the ship." "Like Hell! We have to find Kathryn first." Chakotay growled in anger. Tom only shook his head. ********** Kathryn slowly made her way down a dark corridor. Ice cold water reached her thighs, the salty ocean water burned horribly in the numerous cuts and gashes on her legs from the attack. She worked her way carefully along the passageway, the spike held tightly in her hands. Ready for any sign of one of the creature. She came to an open hatch, looking inside Kathryn realized that she had come to a stairway. Not wasting time, she began to climb up slowly. Heading out of the darkness of the hold, trying to reach the main deck. About 8 levels up, she heard the sound of one of the beasts in the stairwell above her. Reacting on instinct, the Captain pulled open hatch at that level and entered the corridor beyond it. Limping badly, her wrenched knee sending jolts of agony up her leg with each laboring step, Janeway found that she had reached what appeared to be a recreation room. There were several small water jet craft stored inside on racks, and a large closed hatch that she hoped led to the outside. Kathryn knew that her only hope was to find a way off that ship, and fast! She headed towards one of the water craft, hoping to find some way to get it onto the launch sled and open the door in the hull. ******* Tom and Chakotay stood watching as the last of the passengers left the ship and boarded the small lifeboat waiting below. Tom looked at Chakotay, the older man's eyes were clouded with grief and pain. "Chakotay, come on. We have to go, the ship is set to explode." Not saying anything, Chakotay stepped into the waiting lifeboat. His eyes never left the ship behind them as they speed away from the slowly sinking vessel. A sudden roar shattered the night, a fireball lite the sky. The large vessel exploded, small pieces of the hull blown towards them to splash harmlessly in the water behind them. Tears began to stream unheeded down Chakotay's face. "Kathryn," he whispered in agony. *This is my fault, if I hadn't forced her to come, if I hadn't left her alone..." Chakotay slowly sank to his knees, overcome by pain. By daybreak, the lifeboat had reached a small fishing outpost that had been built out on a floating platform. The survivors of the attack were treated for various injuries and given cabins to rest while waiting for another ship to arrive to return them to the mainland. Chakotay found himself unable to bear being in the cabin assigned him. He walked out to the aft end of the platform, standing by the rail. His eyes tormented with images conjured by his mind. He stood motionless, staring out at the gently rolling waves. B'Ellana found him there like that. "Chakotay?" she asked. He did not even turn to look at her. "Chakotay, it's not your fault. You did all you could.." she tried to comfort him. Chakotay pushed her arm from his shoulder gently, "I can't accept that she's gone." He whispered softly. B'Ellana did not know what to do, she sat down near him. Waiting in case he needed her. Tom walked the deck, looking for both Chakotay and B'Ellana. Something out on the horizon caught his attention. Looking, he realized he was seeing another small ship coming towards the platform. The ships sails billowed in the wind as the vessel tacked about on its course to the docking bay. Tom blinked, shading his eyes he squinted trying to see. Standing on the ships bow stood a familar form. Her dark red hair blown behind her in the breeze. A chill shot down his spine, *It can't be...* he thought in shock. Tom ran over to a lookout station, grabbing up a pair of binoculars there. Raising the binoculars to his eyes, Tom almost sank to his knees at what he saw. Captain Janeway - ALIVE!! She stood at the rail in the bow of the incoming ship. Her hair blew around her face with the wind. Welts rose angrily up along her cheekbone and neck from the creatures tentacle striking her. She leaned heavily on a cane in her hand as she began to make her way amid ships in preparation for docking. Tom set the binoculars down, racing in search of Chakotay. He spotted B'Ellana sitting on a bench, watching Chakotay as he stared out at the sea. "Chakotay!! B'Ellana!! The Captain's alive!! I saw her on a ship about to dock! She's all right!" Chakotay turned, "What?" Reaching them Tom repeated, "I saw a small ship coming in to the docks. The Captain is aboard it, she's alive!" Chakotay did not say a word, merely took off at a run towards the docking area. As he came in sight of the dock, the small ship was just lowering its brow to the dockside. He stopped, unable to go further for a moment. Kathryn stood there on the ships quarterdeck, leaning on a cane as she slowly made her way down the brow to the dock. Suddenly he was at her side, with out being aware of having moved to her. Chakotay pulled her hard into his arms. His eyes took in her injured face, the welt there angry red against her soft skin. "Kathryn..." he choked out. She leaned against his chest, shaking. Chakotay raised her lips to his, kissing her fiercely. Breaking the kiss, Janeway looked at him. Tears in her eyes, she touched his face gently. "Thank god you're all right..." she told him. Ever the Captain, her next words were of the others, "What about Tom & B'Ellana?" she whispered. Chakotay nodded, motioning behind them to where Tom and B'Ellana stood, tears of relief on their faces. "They're okay, they made it off the ship." Kathryn's eyes darkened, not seeing Harry. "What about Harry? The last I saw of him, he was on an elevator, as the creature attacked me." her voice trailed off, she saw the answer in his eyes. Chakotay shook his head, "I'm afraid not, his injuries were to severe." Grief clouded her eyes, a soft cry left her as she suddenly sagged against him. "They killed Harry..." she whispered. "Bastards!" Kathryn tried to walk towards where Tom and B'Ellana stood waiting, but her injured leg gave out at last and she collapsed in a heap on the deck, crying. Chakotay lifted her into his arms and carried her to the cabin that had been assigned as the triage unit. When they entered he reluctantly lay her on one of the small cots. One of the physicans came to them, quickly assessing her injuries. Chakotay watched as the doctor cut off the bandages, a sick feeling in his stomach as he looked at her torn and bleeding flesh. The physican cleaned and dressed her injuries swiftly, looking at Chakotay's worried face he smiled. "She will be all right, don't worry. I am going to give her a mild sedative, she should rest. If you wish, you can take her back to your cabin. She might rest better there." The doctor quickly administed the drug, then with a last reassuring smile to them he left to check on the other injured in his care. Chakotay lifted Kathryn and took her to the cabin that had been assigned him. He gently lay her on the bed, sitting beside her, he held her hand. He was unable to let go of her, it was something he felt he may never be able to do. Kathryn opened her eyes sleepily to look at him. She was surprised to see tears still in his eyes. "What is it?" she whispered to him. Chakotay shook his head, "I can't imagine life without you, it almost killed me to think you were dead." Kathryn pushed herself up, "Chakotay, don't do this to yourself. It's over, I'm here and you're here. We'll be back to the same old routine on Voyager before you know it." Kathryn leaned over to him, brushing her lips to his. Chakotay pulled her against him, "Kathryn." he whispered before deepening the kiss. He pulled back after a few moments, "Just know this, if you ever leave me, I'm coming after you." Kathryn pressed up close to his body, resting her head against his chest. "I don't intend to go anywhere." she told him. Tired, the drug pulling her into welcome sleep, she lay back against the soft bed. "Stay with me?" she pleaded softly as her eyes drifted shut. Chakotay lay down beside her, holding her in his arms. "As if I could ever leave you." He pressed his lips against her ear, "I love you." Kathryn smiled softly, almost asleep. "I love you too.." she murmured. Together, they slept, Chakotay held her tightly, protective throughout the night. The next morning, the ship arrived to carry them back to the mainland. Upon arrival there, Captain Janeway wasted not a moment contacting Voyager and having them beamed aboard. Once making certain that the crew was safe and sound. She let Chakotay herd her to sickbay where the EMH soon treated her injuries with a dermal regenerator. Once the treatment was complete, the EMH released her with orders to remain in her quarters resting for 48 hours. Chakotay escorted her to her quarters, determined to make certain she followed the Doc's instructions. Kathryn lay back on her bed with a sigh. Looking at Chakotay sitting next to her, she grinned at him. "What am I going to do for the next 48 hours stuck in here?" Chakotay raised a brow."I'm sure you could come up with a thing or two." And before she could even attempt to formulate a cocky reply, his lips covered hers, chasing all coherent thought from her mind. ******** THE END!!!! Kadith and Kath run off giggling madly.......