The BLTS Archive- Protocol by Devorephile (Devorephile@hotmail.com) --- Author's Warning: If you're a die-hard J/C'er that can't stand to see Chakotay get squashed like a bug, then run like the wind. Quickly. In the other direction. I mean it. Obligitory Disclaimer: Paramount Pictures owns Star Trek and the characters of Captain Janeway, Inspector Kashyk, Chakotay and probably anyone else who appears in this story. The story idea is mine. If I could make money doing this, you sure wouldn't be seeing it here. September 1999 Setting: During "Counterpoint" Author's Note: A prequel to "Decision", by Arachnia. It's helpful to read it, but not absolutely necessary... --- "Sleep well." "And you." Janeway turned as Kashyk entered his quarters. She glared at the ensign standing guard. "As you were." --- "Nice try, Inspector." "Is it not customary to knock?" Chakotay was leaning against the doorway of the guest quarters, arms folded across his chest. "Ordinarily, yes. However, you're not exactly a privileged guest here." "A fact that the Captain has made abundantly clear. At least for the moment." The tall first officer stepped through the door, allowing it to slide shut. "She can see right through your flirtations." "There's nothing to see through. I'm attracted to her." "How convenient." Chakotay stepped into Kashyk's personal space, meeting his gaze levelly. "She has no reason to trust you... and I think you'll find that she is not an easy target for a winning smile." Kashyk suppressed a smirk as he recognized the style, so similar to his own. "I see. You've had no success yourself." "I wouldn't say that." "Then tell me, Commander... Is she the fiery, wanton lover I think she is? Do her passions boil just beneath the surface, just waiting to be uncapped?" Chakotay grabbed two handfuls of Kashyk's tunic, pushing him roughly backwards, then stopped and gave the Inspector a slow smile. "No. I won't let you provoke me." "Too late, Commander. It's obvious that you are quick to react when it comes to the lovely Captain Janeway." Kashyk stepped from Chakotay's grasp and around to his left, circling, predatory. "Interesting." "I'm her First Officer." Chakotay turned with Kashyk, keeping their eyes locked. Kashyk gave a conspiratorial chuckle. "Ah, yes. Protocol. Which means that you can't openly express your desire for her." "There's no rule against it." "But she won't allow it, will she?" Chakotay's silence was all the affirmation Kashyk needed. "Commander, I've read your ship's logs. You've been wandering this area of the galaxy for over five years. Do you chest-thump your claim to Kathryn with every new species you encounter?" Chakotay's blood boiled at the Inspector's use of her first name. "Her safety is my responsibility." "I'm not going to hurt her. You just can't stand the thought of me having her... touching her... even though you can't." "You won't succeed." "That remains to be seen. We had a very enjoyable evening." Coming nose to nose with the smug alien, Chakotay smirked. "Running statistical algorithms is a far cry from..." "Janeway to Kashyk." The color drained rapidly from Chakotay's face as Janeway's voice filled the air around him. Her voice was smooth, deep, almost a purr. A satisfied smiled broadened across Kashyk's face. "Yes, Kathryn." There was laughter in his voice, taunting. "Is that invitation still good?" Chakotay took an unsteady step back. "Of course, Kathryn." Kashyk's narrowed eyes were twinkling, sending icy daggers into Chakotay's soul. The room spun crazily around him as he fought for control. He wanted to scream, tear Kashyk to shreds, ANYTHING to keep Kathryn from doing this. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." Her voice sliced to his core, and he found himself blindly staggering towards to door as the communication terminated. Any ability he might have had to save face had rapidly slipped away. His tormented mind vaguely registered Kashyk's voice, as if through a thick fog. "I don't think she has statistical analysis in mind, Commander." Lurching into the corridor, Chakotay forced himself to walk, robot-like, to the holodeck. Engaging the security lock, he sank to his knees as great heaving sobs wracked his body. --- Kathryn stretched languidly as she rematerialized in her quarters. She could still catch Kashyk's scent as she hugged herself and smiled, replaying the events of the evening in her head. Deciding a warm bath before retiring would be perfect, she crossed her quarters towards the head, peeling off her clothes as she went. She sat on the edge of the bathtub, then stopped suddenly as memories of another time and place came flooding back to her. How was she going to face Chakotay? She sighed pensively and reached for the controls to start filling the tub with warm water. Logically, she shouldn't feel guilty. The ground rules between herself and her first officer were clearly established. It was impossible for her to have a relationship with someone under her command, at least until they got back to the Alpha Quandrant. She was under no obligation to remain celibate in the meantime. And at this point, she didn't know if she wanted a different relationship with Chakotay. It was definitely going to be difficult to look him in the eye, to work with him, after the events of this evening. Much more so than she had anticipated. But she told herself firmly that what Chakotay didn't know wouldn't hurt him. She could deal with this. After all, she had so many internal struggles... what was one more? She slid into the warm water and closed her eyes. --- Chakotay wasn't sure how long he had been sitting on the floor of the idle holodeck. His sobs had gradually subsided, giving way to deep exhaustion. He had understood Kathryn's reasons for not taking their relationship to another level. He had been disappointed, true, but going along with her stand on the matter had made him feel... well hell, sacrificing his desire for her had made him feel almost noble. He had put aside his happiness for the good of Voyager, for her... and for what? So she could hop in the sack with some smarmy alien? What about how that could affect the ship and crew?? Chakotay uttered a groan of raw misery as he staggered to his feet, fighting an uncontrollable urge to hit the wall. He clenched and unclenched his fists, willing himself to breathe slowly and deeply. Damn her. He slapped savagely at his commbadge. "Computer, where is Captain Janeway?" "Captain Janeway is in her quarters." "Is anyone else with her?" "Negative." "Is she asleep?" "Negative." "Chakotay to Captain Janeway." There was a pause, then the Captain's drowsy voice answered. "Yes, Commander, what is it?" "Captain, I'd like to see you first thing in the morning. Can you meet me on Holodeck One at oh-seven-hundred?" "I'll see you then, Commander. Janeway out." Chakotay stood for a moment, looking at the hologrid. Then he addressed the computer, and began to work. He had a long night ahead of him. --- Kathryn pondered Chakotay's request momentarily, then dismissed it. For once, ship's business could wait until morning. "Computer, raise water temperature by 3 degrees." "Bleep." "Hmmmm.... Swirl the water." As the water began to caress her body, Kathryn let her mind drift back to Kashyk - the feel of his confident hands, his warm mouth, the depth of desire in his eyes as he had moved inside her with a perfect combination of strength and control. He had elicited responses from her body that she'd almost forgotten were possible. Despite the warmth of the water, she shivered slightly at the pleasant memory. Yes... no matter what Kashyk's final intentions, she had needed this, and she had no regrets. --- Chakotay critically eyed the scene before him, deciding that it was finally finished. He had created a pretty damned perfect replica of New Earth. When Kathryn entered the holodeck, she would be surrounded by the familiar memories of the time they had spent there together. How could she help but feel sorrow for what they had lost? He would try one more time to convince her that their relationship was worth exploring. He assumed an inconspicuous position out of the way, near the arch. He wanted her to absorb his creation without distraction. Then he would hold her gently and bare his soul. Promptly at 0700 hours, the holodeck doors slid open and Kathryn Janeway entered. She walked past Chakotay and towards the center of the recreation, slowing and looking around as she went. God, she was beautiful. "Commander Chakotay." Chakotay walked silently forward, taking her shoulders in his hands. "Good morning, Captain. Do you recognize it?" He felt her tense perceptibly in his grasp. "Commander, we're supposed to be on duty." Janeway's voice was low and dangerous. "I just need a few minutes to show you how I feel..." "You are out... of... LINE, Commander!" Chakotay leaned close, whispering in her ear. "This isn't about protocol, Kathryn." "Computer. Delete program." She whirled out of his grasp, eyes blazing, voice coldly furious. New Earth winked out of existence. "Commander, I don't know what has prompted this little display. I don't want to know. I should bust you to ensign and confine you to quarters." Chakotay blinked, stunned. Janeway strode purposefully towards the door, then paused with her hands on her hips, looking at a point somewhere on the wall as she continued. "Right now I need you. We have to find a way to avoid detection by a Devore sensor array. Report to Engineering and work with B'Elanna to devise a plan to get us safely past it." She turned and stalked slowly back towards him. "But make no mistake. After we're safely through the wormhole, we will have a discussion about what happened here today." With that, she turned and strode imperiously out the door, leaving Chakotay to contemplate what her reaction would mean to their relationship... hell, what it would mean to his position as First Officer. He sighed defeatedly and trudged towards engineering. --- Kashyk answered his chime to find Captain Janeway standing in his doorway with a determined look on her face. In one hand she grasped the handles of an insulated pitcher and two mugs. Noting the guard still stationed in the corridor, he suppressed his grin and opted to keep the conversation on a professional level. "Good morning, Captain. Ready to thwart a sensor array?" "I think we have time for some coffee first, Inspector." Suddenly he felt his elbow grasped by a small, strong hand, and he was propelled quickly back into his quarters. "Captain?" He found a small a finger laid to his lips as the door slid shut. With a clatter, the coffee and mugs were quickly depositied on the nearest table. Then she was in his arms, kissing him ferociously, running her hands up his chest and around his neck, pressing her body against his. Kashyk recovered quickly from his shock and returned her embrace. He ran his fingers into her hair and plunged his tongue into her mouth, pulling her tightly to him. Already aroused, he growled, grabbed her hips, and ground his erection against her. "Kathryn..." "Too much talk." She continued her assault, running her fingers along the swell in his trousers, pushing him towards the couch. He lost his balance as the back of his legs hit the seat, and he fell backwards with her straddling him. The heat from her center was tremendous as she rocked her pelvis against him and smothered his mouth with hers. "Kathryn..." He gasped for breath as he held her shoulders and pushed her away slightly, enough to look into her face. The raw desire in her gaze both unnerved and thrilled him. "Kathryn, shouldn't we tend to the matter of the array first?" "Commander Chakotay is already working on it." Kashyk studied her expression carefully. Had that been a sneer? Whatever... at the moment the good Captain had removed herself from his lap and was in the process of removing her pants. He watched happily as she removed his member from his pants and took it briefly in her mouth, before stradling him again and impaling herself quickly. His mind whirled into oblivious pleasure as she began pumping eagerly, grunting softly and breathing hard. Kashyk wasn't sure exactly what had prompted his good fortune, but the sensor array could definitely wait. --- The End