The BLTS Archive-Chaotica's Throne
by monkee (wiecek@earthlink.net)

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Disclaimers: Star Trek Voyager and it's wonderful characters belong to
Paramount. The story is mine.

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"I'm not taking any responsibility for this," Chakotay grumped. "I
think you're over-estimating the Captain's sense of humor."

"Oh, lighten up, Chakotay," Paris responded, grunting with exertion as
he pushed another heavy board into place. "You're worse than Tuvok!"

At his station, Tuvok raised his eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Come on, hurry up you guys," Paris called out, "It's almost time!
B'Elanna -- hand me that hammer! Harry -- get over here with that
paint can, the back needs a little touch-up."

Everyone bustled about industriously, hammering and painting and
stopping frequently to admire their handiwork. They finished just
before 0700 and hurriedly spirited away all of the tools, and the
sawdust.

It looked magnificent. It sparkled. It gleamed. It was huge. It was
TACKY. Chakotay shook his head in dismay. "Tuvok," he appealed to the
one person on board who was certain to agree with him, "this is
unacceptable, don't you think?"

"On the contrary," Tuvok replied, after thoughtfully considering the
question, "I believe that she will be pleased."

Defeated, Chakotay sank into his chair, which now looked markedly
puny. At 0702 the turbolift doors swished open. Captain Janeway strode
onto the bridge in her usual manner, sipping her coffee and engrossed
in a PADD. She wandered over to her station, nodding absently at the
crewmembers that she passed by.

Then, she saw it. It was awfully hard to miss. Her jaw dropped and she
looked upon it in stunned silence. Chakotay smirked triumphantly,
waiting for the inevitable explosion.

But then the Captain broke out into a grin the likes of which no one
had ever seen on her. It was like the sun had burst out upon the
bridge. It was a dazzling smile, and then she began to laugh,
delightedly.

"It's Chaotica's THRONE!" she exclaimed happily. "It's WONDERFUL!" She
stroked the ornate headrest and the curved arms. Then she turned
towards Paris, "It's wonderful!" she repeated, tears in her eyes.
Chakotay frowned, but she didn't even notice him. She walked over to
Paris at the helm and tousled his hair.

"Happy Birthday, Captain," he smiled.

"Thank you so much!" she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek,
which made him blush like a schoolboy. He looked so darned cute that
she tousled his hair again, just for fun.

She returned to her throne and curled up luxuriously in it, her legs
tucked underneath her, her coffee beside her, her PADD forgotten. She
sighed elaborately with contentment. "It's perfect!" she proclaimed,
regally.

Chakotay cleared his throat. "Um, Captain," he said, "Don't you think
that it's a bit...inappropriate for the bridge?"

Janeway looked at her first officer as though he had spiders coming
out of his ears.

"Lighten up, Chakotay!" she told him, "It's my birthday!"

"Actually, Captain," Paris said, "I've been giving this some thought.
I know it can't stay HERE -- after today, I mean -- but maybe we could
put it..."

She pointed at him and they said, simultaneously, "In the ready room!"

"Let's do it!" Janeway said with enthusiasm. "I think I know just the
place for it!"

They headed off to her ready room together, laughing. Chakotay shook
his head in disgust and gestured for Paris' back up to take the helm.
SOMEONE had to be responsible around here.

He was being a baby, and he knew it. He was just jealous that Paris,
of all people, had outdone him in choosing a gift for the Captain.
That throne was certainly going to make his pocket watch look silly.

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The End