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BIRTHDAY RESOLUTIONS
By
Saily (saily@zaz.com.br)
Grade:
PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom
owns the rights to the characters, but the story is mine
This
is my second fanfic. Thanks to Biajones
for the support J
Holodeck
was specially crowded that evening. It was Tom Paris’ birthday and the
helmboy decided to make a big party this year. Harry and B’Elanna gave
to him a holodeck program as a birthday gift: a wonderful 20th century
dance club, with lightning effects, professional dancers, DJs and a
huge bar with all kinds of drinks. Neelix helped with the decoration
and the food, which included a huge birthday chocolate cake. The party
was supposed to start at 8:00. But 30 minutes earlier, many people were
already there, dancing.
Tom
was smiling widely, not only because it was his birthday, but also because
he had a feeling that something was about to happen tonight. There were
rumors involving a certain commanding couple, witch said that they had
finally got together.
Nobody
really knew exactly what made them forget about protocols and admit
that they were in love with each other, but it certainly began about
3 months ago, when Tom noticed their new behavior. Captain Janeway was
always in a good mood, laughing more and even making some jokes during
the shift, which made Tuvok raise his eyebrows disapprovingly. And,
of course, Tom was aware of the looks she gave to her First Officer,
always at her side, smiling like an idiot teenager. For him, Chakotay
was that kind of guy that had too much difficulty in hiding his feelings.
He always knew that the Commander had a crush for his Captain and, after
they got stuck in that planet for three months, everybody on the ship
realized that it wasn’t only friendship and admiration that he had for
her. Chakotay was indeed madly in love with Kathryn Janeway and, finally,
after almost 7 years of flirting, he had got the woman of his dreams.
His behavior had changed too. Anyone on the bridge could see the long-loving
stare he gave the Captain during the shift.
“Tom,
is everything OK? Something you want to share?” B’Elanna interrupted
his thoughts. He noticed her worried look and smiled to his wife. She
was very beautiful in that black dress. He looked around and saw a very
crowded dance club. Everybody seemed to be having a wonderful time.
He began to search for a certain couple when his wife spoke again.
“I
think only the Captain and Chakotay haven’t arrived yet” B’Elanna said
smiling and Tom chuckled. Was she a mind reader? He thought for a while
and stood up. He whistled, calling everyone’s attention.
“Thank
you guys for coming to my party. I’m really flattered to have you here.
Well… It’s not everyday that you turn 37 and have all your dear friends
to share a great time with. I’m moved and very happy.” Cheers could
be heard from all over the dance club. He waved his hands asking for
silence and the crowded understood.
“And
I’m not only happy for this party, but also for two great friends of
mine. Everybody knows that we’re finally going to see a very special
and handsome couple arriving here in less than 30 minutes. According
to some information I’ve got, they’re indeed going to make it official
today!” Cheeres and laughter filled up the holodek once more.“And since
today is my birthday and that the couple in question made us suffer,
waiting for 7 years to finally see them together, I was thinking… We
could discuss here what the hell happened on that planet 5 years ago.”
“Oh
god, I think he’s drunk.” B’Elanna told Harry with a terrified expression.
Harry nodded and checked on the table: there were 12 empty glasses of
beer and they were all Tom’s.
“Tom
please, stop this.” Harry whispered to Tom, but he ignored. This was
not going to end well, he knew it. Everybody seemed to be very interested
on the subject and, for him to convince Tom that this was a dangerous
ground would be difficult.
“So…”
Tom continued, “In my opinion, something did happen there. I was on
the bridge the day that they came back to Voyager and you guys can’t
imagine the sad looks on their faces. I don’t know about you, but I’ll
never understand why two handsome people can get stuck in a planet for
three months and nothing happens. I won’t say physically, because we
know that she had that fiancé back on Earth waiting for her at that
time, but emotionally? If I know Chakotay, he has probably admitted
to her that he was in love.” Everyone nodded and he continued, “Even
before this happened, all of us saw that he spent too much time staring
at her. And after they got back, everyone on this ship could see them
together” He held up his hand to count “Endless working dinners, casual
touches that border on caresses, their stolen glances…”
“Actually
Mr. Paris, I have to agree with you.” All heads turned to see Tuvok
comfortably sitting on a chair, in the corner of the Holodeck. “I do
remember one time that Commander Chakotay brought a rose to the Captain.
He seemed to be slightly nervous moments before he entered the Ready
Room. And afterwards, the Captain informed me that they were on the
Holodeck, sailing on Lake George. And, if I recorded it correctly, she
said that they didn’t want to be disturbed.” Everybody looked at Tuvok
in disbelief. Was he shearing some gossip with the crew? That was the
last thing they would expect from a Vulcan.
“Hey,
remember that time when Q was here, wanting to mate with the Captain?”
Porter said to Tom and laughed sonorously “Chakotay was so damn jealous
that I thought he was going to take Q’s head off!” Everybody laughed
and Paris continued.
“But
of course! We have to admit that our Captain is a drop dead gorgeous
woman…”
“Tom!!!”
B’Elanna looked at him, mouth slightly open in surprise. Tom was indeed
drunk.
“Oh,
come on B’E! She IS incredibly beautiful. Don’t you guys agree?” All
men on the holodeck nodded, including Harry. B’Elanna could see that
Harry was getting too comfortable with the subject and that she was
loosing an ally. She began to feel guilty about the whole situation.
The party was her idea and this drunk jerk was her husband.
“And,
well… I won’t judge Chakotay here, cause I’m a guy, but… According to
some Voyager’s ladies, that dimples can melt any female heart.” The
women nodded. When Tom opened his mouth to continue, Harry interrupted
him.
“I
remember one particular episode that happened about 5 years ago. We
discovered an interesting phenomenon that seemed to be a nebula. But
later, when we were inside it, we discovered that it was a life form.
The Commander explained that something on Voyager made the life form
think that we were some kind of mating partner. The Captain followed
the Commander’s opinion and it was a success. But this is the best part…”
Harry grinned and saw that he had all crew’s attention. B’Elanna, on
the other hand, gave him a typical ‘Janeway death glare’ “…She said
that if she had any questions about mating behavior, she would go to
him”
“You’re
kidding!” O’Donnell said with wide eyes. He was at the bar with his
pal Lewis, holding a glass of whiskey.
“No,
it's true. I was on the bridge that afternoon." Lewis answered
him with a laugh. "And by the way, did you guys notice that Chakotay
always call her Kathryn, when he thinks he's safely away from any prying
ears?"
"Oh,
yeah! I don't think Riker calls Picard by his given name." Tom
added and they all laughed.
“Hey,
how about this one…” Neelix called everybody’s attention and grinned
“Three words: The luau party!” Tom burst laugher and the cook continued,
“They arrived and stayed together during all the party. The Commander
couldn’t stop staring at her. But I have to admit that she looked stunning
in that dress.”
”Actually,
Neelix meant to say that Chakotay couldn’t stop staring at her dress’
necklace cut.” Tom corrected and the crew laughed.
“Tom,
stop it! This is going too far” B’Elanna warned her husband and saw
the Doctor waving and asking for silence.
“As you may know, I had to monitor every crewmen’s health once
in a while. I remember that when I monitored the two of them I noticed
that every time they were together their heart beat and hormones levels
increased considerably.”
“You
see? It’s indeed physical attraction! And we have a medical report to
prove it!” Tom added and was totally unaware that the couple in question
had just arrived at the Holodeck “Sometimes I wish I was a little bee.
I wanted to know why Chakotay spend so much time in her Ready Room.”
Tom noticed that suddenly everyone on the Holodeck was extremely uncomfortable,
but he continued his speech “I think it’s just an excuse to be with
her, talk to her, listen to her voice…” B’Elanna was throwing her hands
up, trying to call her husband‘s attention, but Tom ignored it “And
why she always invite him to have dinner in her quarters? I don’t think
they only discuss crew’s issues!” Harry immediately flushed and cleaned
his throat, giving a warning message to his friend stop to speak “And
they’re always sitting together in the Mess Hall, whispering suspiciously
to each other. But I really, really wanted to know what happened on
that planet. I’m sure they…what’s the problem for Christ sake, B’Elanna?”
He
opened his mouth again to continue when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Paris” Kathryn Janeway gave Tom a very scaring
smile. He saw Chakotay on her side and regretted every word that he
had just said.
“Interesting party we have here”. Chakotay glanced around and
saw a very quiet crew “It’s a dance club, isn’t it?” Chakotay asked
him but only got a nod as an answer. For some reason, Tom had forgotten
how to speak.
“We spent so much time thinking about your birthday gift, Mr.
Paris, but we didn’t find anything suitable. And all of a sudden, when
I saw you giving that speech, I had the brightest idea. I think I’ve
found the perfect present for you” Janeway looked at Tom with fire on
her eyes. God, he was in trouble. She turned to Chakotay, whispered
to him and his smile widened.
“Perfect present indeed, Kathryn” The First Officer said and
went to the replicator. He pushed some buttons and a small box, wrapped
in a beautiful paper, materialized. He handed the box to Tom, who was
standing speechless, like a stone.
“I hope you like it” Chakotay said and gave him a look to open
the box. He obeyed and flushed when he saw a little white toothbrush
inside the box. He looked at his Captain with concern and she explained.
“Tomorrow I want the transport platform shining like a precious
stone before beta shift. It’s that clear, Mr. Paris?” Tom nodded slowly
“Good. And about that issue that you were talking when we arrived…”
She looked at Chakotay and smiled warmly at him “Nothing really happened
on New Earth.”
“Nothing…I only made that bathtub to you” Chakotay turned to
her and held one of her hands.
“And you planned to make a boat to explore the river…” She added
and moved her free hand up to touch his cheek gently.
“And there was that incredibly boring monkey… ”He smiled at her
and put his arms around her waist.
“And, of course, there was my Ancient Legend and my angry warrior…”
She snaked her arms around his neck and began to bring his face down
to hers.
“Ah, the Ancient Legend… I was a coward then. I wanted to say
the truth to you but I didn’t have courage that time. But now I can
say…” He whispered, his lips inches apart from hers. “I love you, Kathryn”.
“I love you too, Chakotay” Kathryn said and they kissed passionately.
Tom could hear the cheers and whistles all over the Holodeck. They were
all extremely happy. He couldn’t help and finally smiled.
The end
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