Shoreleave

A new Voyager J/C story from the computers of:

Jackee (Jackeec@aol.com)

Emily (Emeyer5650@aol.com)

Christina (Cwilson980@aol.com)

May 1998

Disclaimer: Paramount owns all, including the right to put their characters into dumb/boring situations...

Well, if they can--so can we!!! Our version of the infamous Alien-of-the-Week Romance. Remember: she's blue and comes in a box.

Kathryn Janeway released a sigh as the delicate scents of Irudi V washed over her. The planet was really quite lovely with its gentle slopes and meticulously manicured landscapes. The surroundings were doing their subtle magic in loosening her tightly wound nerves.

Diplomacy slid quickly into place as she noticed the Irudi Prime Minister J'Sone approaching.

"Ah, Captain Janeway, how wonderful of you to return to our lovely world. I was hoping that I might see you again."

"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister. Your world is quite lovely."

"Thank you, Captain," J'Sone quickly dispensed with the pleasantries. "I wished to speak with you of a matter of concern. I would like to apologize for my aide's behavior during our earlier meeting."

"It's quite all right, Prime Minister. We understand that sometimes differences in culture can be...difficult. Please tell your aide not to worry."

J'Sone smiled. "You are too kind, Captain. It is just that we believe that females, such as yourself..."

Kathryn held up a hand. "Again Mr. Prime Minister, it's quite all right. There was a similar evolution in our own society. Please, don't let it worry you."

"You are gracious, Captain," J'Sone bowed. "And now I will not interrupt you any longer. Pleasant Day."

Kathryn watched as the Irudian shuffled along the broad way and into one of the government buildings. She sighed. The Irudian's had very strong traditions regarding females in power being properly mated before addressing their governmental body. They'd required that she speak through Chakotay as he was nearest to her in position.

They hadn't questioned her judgment or abilities, and they appeared to otherwise to be a fairly advanced race. But it had rankled that when in front of their council -- unless her words came through Chakotay -- she was completely ignored. One of J'Sone's aides had brought it rather rudely to her attention during one of the break sessions during the initial talks.

She was snapped out of her reverie by the sound of footsteps approaching behind her. Chakotay. She knew the sound of his step without turning.

"Good morning, Kathryn." He stopped just a foot behind her.

"Commander." She took a step forward, putting another foot between them. "Is there a problem?"

"No, none that I know of. I was wondering if you wanted some company."

"I'm not planning on talking to any government officials for the next two days. Your services won't be required." She knew she shouldn't take the irritation she felt at her situation out on him.

He felt a tinge of disappointment. "Very well Captain. I'll see you in two days." Maybe it was better, a few days apart. He left quickly before he changed his mind. "Chakotay to Voyager, one to beam-up." He had to gather his gear before beaming back down for his shore leave.

Kathryn didn't bother watching him, the relaxation she had experienced vanished. Why did she let him bother her like that -- disrupt her sense of purpose, invade her thoughts and dreams.

"Captain Janeway," a voice said.

She turned toward the voice of L'Torl, J'Sone's oldest daughter. "Hello."

The young, pale blue woman smiled, "Your friend isn't going to stay?"

"No, he has other plans..." Janeway made a mental note to find out where he was going when she returned to the ship.

"That is too bad. I had looked forward to...Well, to showing you around our city. Excuse me, I'll see you later."

Kathryn watched the young woman walk off and shook her head. The kid had a major crush on Chakotay. She laughed slightly.

#

#

Chakotay nodded at the young woman operating the transporter. He picked up his gear and stepped on the transporter pad. He ordered her to activate the transport.

The lake he reappeared by was peaceful and quiet. The perfect site for a couple of days relaxation and meditation. The pine-like trees reminded him of Earth...

He looked around, now to find a place to make his camp. He swung his pack over his shoulders and started walking. He knew he had about six hours before the sun set.

#

#

Janeway's thoughts drifted slowly from Chakotay to more immediate concerns as her stomach growled. *It must be getting close to lunch time.* She settled on a near-by cafe style eatery. The past couple of days had been filled with nothing but heavy gourmet food prepared with the specific purpose of impressing the visiting dignitaries, and she looked forward to sampling the local cuisine.

#

#

Kathryn's al fresco dining experience was coming to a close when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Gasping, she turned around and looked into the face of J'Sone's aide.

"J'Ica. How can I help you?"

"Your presence is needed. Come with me now." His face was inches from her, as though proximity would convey importance.

"Fine. Just let me settle..." She reached for the pouch at her hip which carried the local currency.

"I have already paid. Come with me now."

"J'Ica, I'm not in the habit of rushing to places without knowing a little about the situation, do you think?"

"I'll explain on the way." Shrugging, Kathryn followed the alien from the cafe."

J'Ica escorted Janeway to the government palace. During the entire trip he'd not said one word -- despite his promise to explain. She had tried several times asking what was wrong, but each time he'd not responded. They'd lapsed into uncomfortable silence that wasn't broken until J'Ica told her to wait outside the door to the council chambers.

She paced. For fifteen minutes she walked up and down the hall, waiting. Several Irudians glanced at her as they passed, but none spoke.

Finally, the iron-door opened and a servant motioned for her to enter.

The mood was serious, the fifteen Irudians sitting at the council table were frowning. The only one not frowning, was L'Torl. Janeway shuddered -- there was something in the young woman's smile that put her instantly at alert.

The Chief Minister slammed his gavel to indicate that the proceedings were under way, causing Kathryn to start. A short, chubby young man midway along one of the long tables rose uncomfortably to his feet. All eyes turned to him.

"I ask the Council to recognize J'Eter, brother to L'Torl. I will speak for her."

The Chief Minister nodded an unhappy acquiescence.

Kathryn stood riveted as J'Eter began to speak again. This time, he'd pulled himself to his highest height and set his jaw firmly. "L'Torl requests the Rite of Sacred Connection. Her intended is of alien origin, but unless the council can find due reason to deny her request, the connection shall commence at her earliest convenience."

The room fell silent as J'Eter waited expectantly. No one moved. "If no one is in objection?" J'Eter requested again, looking calmly in Janeway's direction.

"I object," Kathryn called across the chambers. "I'd like to know more about this right of sacred connection, and who the crew member is."

The council proceeded as if she hadn't spoken. She sputtered in fury when she realized what had happened: they were ignoring her due to the tradition. The meeting continued as if she hadn't spoken.

"Janeway to Chakotay!" she snapped softly into her comm-badge. No response.

"Janeway to Voyager."

"Aye Captain?" a young voice answered the link.

"What is the location of Commander Chakotay?" She watched the meeting adjourn while she waited for the Ensign to get a fix on the Commander. The voice that returned to the link was uncertain.

"Captain, we are unable to locate Chakotay."

#

#

Chakotay had found what he hoped would be a good place to camp when he heard a step from behind. He turned just in time to greet the darkness.

#

#

Kathryn slipped out of the chamber unnoticed. She was fuming. J'Ica had brought her along as a formality; he knew that her objection would go unnoticed. Ducking into an adjacent corridor, she tapped her comm-badge again. "Janeway to Voyager; beam me directly to the bridge -- NOW!"

On the bridge, she began giving orders. "I want all the transporter logs for the last cycle. If Chakotay's not on the ship, I want to know where he is. Harry, set the sensors to filter for Human life signs -- I know there are other Voyager crew members on the surface, but this'll help us narrow it down. Tuvok, I want you to work with Seven, and try to develop a cultural database on the Irudians. I want to know what the Rite of Sacred Connection is, and I want to know how to stop it. Now, unless there are any questions..." She let her voice trail off, indicating that if there were any questions, they'd better be damn good ones. No one said anything, and fingers began to fly across touchpads as the crew strove to follow her orders to the letter.

#

#

Chakotay glanced up at the flushed face of L'Torl. Despite the Irudians blue skin, they're blood was still red, and the flush turned her face a ghastly shade of purple.

"L'Torl?" He studied her face, could Kathryn be right about the girl's crush? "What? Does your father know..."

"Shhh." She broke off his line of questioning, raised a hand to the juncture of his skull and spine, and pressed lightly. "Your name is J'Dral..."

"My name is J'Dral."

#

#

L'Torl smiled quietly as she studied her sleeping captive. Soon...very soon. "J'Dral...You need to wake up...I brought food."

The man woke and looked around very confused. "What? Where am I?"

"Shhh. Sweetheart. Everything will be fine. How's your head?"

He closed his eyes with a groan. "It hurts like hell...Who are you?"

"Oh J'Dral," she said with a touch of pathos. "I'm L'Torl -- we are to married in a few days..."

He rubbed his eyes. "We are?"

She started to cry. "Oh J'Dral, if you don't love me, please just tell me. Don't play this cruel game with me..." She was sobbing harder.

He sat up slowly and wrapped his arms around her. "It's not a game. I think I remember you..."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the unusual marking on his forehead. "J'Dral you must come back to me..."

The man stiffened beneath her as she kissed his brow. She pulled back slightly. "What is it my love?" One blue taloned finger trailed along the marking as she smiled into his eyes.

"No." He pushed away from her in confusion, backing across the bed until he was up against the wall. He shook his head. "No... you're not..."

Her smiled dropped. "J'Dral," she said, her voice tinged with warning. "You must try harder to remember us, otherwise the doctor will be forced to increase your dosage. And we wouldn't want that. Now," she said, continuing more softly. "Come back to me."

The man's frown deepened, but he held his ground. He clearly understood the words, and the hint of danger, yet something held him back from coming to her.

She really didn't want to increase his dosage, the level was already dangerously high for his species. No, she would have to find out more personal information about him. Yes...that might do the trick. She dropped her arms to her sides and backed away from the bed.

"All right, my dear. I'll leave you. Sleep now, and dream of me." She moved through the door and watched through the monitor as he settled back unto the middle of the bed and buried his face in his hands. She touched a button and the colorless, odorless gas filtered into the room. Within moments he was asleep.

His dreams were fitful -- snippets of images...A woman...cinnamon toast colored hair pulled into a braid...emotion playing across her face...reaching for his hand...face changing...coloring...lengthening...now someone else...he and she...his name is J'Dral...but that didn't make sense...father...fires...rituals...what is real...what is imagination...

#

#

"Captain, I think I've found something." Kathryn Janeway ran a hand through her short hair as she made her way to Kim's station. In the past 48 hours, she had only slept for four of them, and the doctor was threatening to remove her from duty. It was an empty threat, they both knew she wouldn't rest until she'd found Chakotay.

"What is it, Ensign?"

"Here on the Southern Continent. I'm detecting confusing life signs. Not quite human...but not Irudian either."

"Ensign, I'd like you to download any information to the Doctor's terminal, maybe he can figure it out. And then work with Seven, and see if you can find a way to get past the field."

#

#

He awoke and looked around the pastoral setting. A warm breeze gently blew across his brow. Surprised he turned. "L'Torl?" She was leaning provocatively in front of him, smiling. He shuddered slightly.

"Sleepy head, you finally woke up. I thought the Brisean Tarts would be stale before you opened those eyes." She lifted a strange-looking pastry and handed it to him.

"What's this," he asked with more than a little confusion.

"Brisean Tart. J'Dral wake up." Her laugh was low and exotic. "They're your favorites. You wanted to have them at the wedding..." She paused as she studied his reaction carefully.

"Wedding? Whose?"

L'Torl started to weep. "J'Dral, that's not funny. Not with our wedding in just days..."

He smiled. "I'm sorry. I'm feeling a little disoriented." He looked around the meadow, then rubbed his forehead.

L'Torl leaned closer, "I'll forgive you...Again sweetheart. Especially after that fall you took..." She kissed him quickly on the cheek and sat back.

He rubbed the cheek, his eyes glazed over..."No, Kathryn...Seska..." He collapsed on the Brisean Tarts.

#

#

"Captain?" Neelix asked for the second time.

She looked up from the PADD she'd been staring at for the past fifteen minutes. "I'm sorry. Neelix you want something?"

"You didn't eat anything -- and I'm afraid the eggs are cold. Would you like me to cook you some fresh ones?"

She glanced at her plate of congealed scrambled-eggs and shook her head. "I guess I'm not hungry." Her eyes drifted down to the most recent report. The results for the unusual life-signs were sporadic. But it did look like they belonged to the Commander...With a start she realized that Neelix was still speaking to her.

"...When we first started negotiating with the Irudians, I discovered a facility with loads of information. I tried yesterday, after the Commander had disappeared, and was denied entry..."

She was looking at him curiously. "We've not had any luck accessing their computers. Ayala is working on hacking his way in...What is this place?"

"They called it a library. And I was thinking this evening, we could break in and look for the information ourselves..." He smiled happily at his bold suggestion.

Janeway stared at him for several seconds then nodded. "Bring the information to the staff meeting at ten-hundred hours. We'll see..." Breaking into a library -- she would have laughed under other circumstances.

#

#

Kathryn stood, her back flattened against a narrow outbuilding. Neelix stood to her left, likewise flattened. Kim stood on the other side of Neelix.

"This somewhat reminds me of the time..."

"Neelix,'" Janeway said, her voice barely above a whisper. But the warning to keep quiet was evident in her tone. The Talaxian complied immediately.

Kim monitored his tricorder for a moment. "All life forms have exited the building, Captain."

"Good. Let's go."

The three forms moved stealthily among the thin growth of trees toward the large building. If the data Neelix and Kim had found was accurate, this place housed a good portion of this planet's records.

When they reached the back corner of the building, Janeway removed the slim pattern enhancers from a carrying case and assembled them near a metallic door. She gestured that the rest of her team step into the rough triangle formed by the devices.

"Janeway to Torres. We're ready."

"Aye Captain," B'Elanna responded.

Moments later the three dark clad figures disappeared from the outside of the building in a shimmer of transporter energy. They reappeared moments latter amidst banks of computer consoles that literally touched the ceiling twenty meters overhead.

It took less than 15 minutes for the three person team to download the sum total of the archived data into their tricorders, return to the outer building and beam back to the ship.

It was 15 minutes after that when Kathryn found the answer to her question. "He will *what*?"

Harry looked decidedly uncomfortable as he routed the data to the Captain's console. In the end it didn't matter, because she moved from her station to read it at his. Yes, the words were there just as Kim had spoken them. The Rite of Connection was a marriage. A marriage of two individuals, of property, of knowledge, of lives...She skipped the rest of the flowery language. She had to find Chakotay. And fast.

#

#

Blue, black, grey, white, red, yellow...The colors swirled in front of his face and then came into focus...Blue skin, black hair, grey walls, red, white, and yellow, clothing... "Ugghh."

"Shh, you mustn't say anything, you're not well." She handed him a bowl of pungent broth. "This will clear your head."

He drank it, and the details became clearer. The woman...she was his betrothed. He was J'Dar, but beyond that... "How did I get here?"

"Oh, you poor thing; you really did get a bump, didn't you?" She smoothed his hair. "You were hunting wegtrup, and slipped on a patch of loose earth. They found you at the bottom of a canyon, you weren't supposed to live, but I wouldn't give you up."

He listened intently, but felt detached. If he were hurt as badly as she claimed, then it was conceivable that he wouldn't remember. Somehow though, it didn't feel right.

#

#

Kathryn looked at Tuvok then back at the door. They had been waiting for an hour for this interview...Only the Irudian Prime Minister seemed reluctant to meet with them. J'Sone had sent several messages saying he was delayed. The fourth such messenger had just left.

Both officers jumped when the door opened quickly. "J'Eter?" Janeway said as the young Irudian entered the room. He ignored her.

Tuvok stepped forward. "I am Commander Tuvok, I speak for Captain Janeway."

J'Eter studied the Vulcan carefully then nodded. "I accept your right to speak for the female. My father has sent me to talk with you."

"We wish to discuss Commander Chakotay..."

J'Eter smiled. "Good. We would like to examine your ship to determine the Groom Price..."

"What???" Janeway started to ask...but Tuvok continued.

"Commander Chakotay has few personal possessions...If he chooses to remain here, he of course is free to keep them."

J'Eter shook his head. "We are interested in Voyager...His share of the ship. We claim that as the Groom Price."

"What?!" Kathryn exclaimed ominously. J'Eter was undeterred, and steadfastly ignored her. Tuvok glanced briefly in her direction before speaking.

"That is not possible. Voyager does not belong to Commander Chakotay, in whole or in part."

J'Eter paused. "Who does it belong to, then? It is my understanding that Commander Chakotay is second in command."

"Voyager is a Star Fleet vessel, and as such, belongs to Star Fleet. The ship is currently in the care of Captain Janeway until we return to the Alpha Quadrant."

J'Eter's face broke into a crooked grin. "My point exactly. Your commander stated that you abide by the laws of the peoples you visit. And according to our laws, Commander Chakotay is holder of this Star Fleet vessel while here in this quadrant, in trust for Captain Janeway...or his next of kin. As such, his interest in Voyager can be used as the Groom Price."

"Like hell it can..." Kathryn murmured.

"We will require a meeting with Commander Chakotay to confirm his betrothal," Tuvok said, glancing again toward his fuming captain.

"According to our law this is not necessary. The daughter of a member of the high council does not require the word of a witness. So, unless your commander has previously stated vows with someone else, the council must legally recognize the betrothal as valid."

"Our law..." Kathryn began but was cut off as if she hadn't spoken.

"And now," J'Eter glanced toward a device in the wall. "I have no more time to give you. Someone will contact you to arrange a meeting to review the property." With that he walked out the door.

Kathryn sat slumped at the table, looking up at Tuvok through half closed eyes, "Options?"

Her security officer was scanning a padd and looked up at his captain. She was tired of fighting, he could tell that, but he could also tell that she wouldn't give up until she had tried every last option at her disposal. "I have extensively reviewed all the customs, Captain, and I believe our last option is a ruse."

"What do you mean ruse?" She lifted her head a bit.

"We have to convince J'Eter, and the rest of the family that Chakotay is already married."

"But he's not," Kathryn slumped a little further.

"Not by Terran custom no, but on this planet anything that could be construed as a mutual exchange or acknowledgment of love could be construed as betrothal if not marriage -- depending on its intensity. Captain, I did not ever want to have to ask you this, and you are free not to answer...though I am sure you will understand that the answer will have an effect on what happens to Commander Chakotay..."

"No Tuvok, Chakotay and I are not lovers." Kathryn was exasperated.

"I would never presume to ask anything so personal. I was going to ask what happened on New Earth, when you were alone for three months, did you or he, ever..."

New Earth. The angry warrior story. Could that be enough?

#

#

"I'm not sure I can..."define parameters"...but I can tell you a story, a legend of my people." What a strange dream. He was in a cabin with a woman...a beautiful woman with long hair the color of cinnamon and honey...he didn't know her now, but did he ever? He felt as though he were...in LOVE with her...the woman in his dreams.

Chakotay woke slowly, the dream too pleasant, too real...A quick glance around the small wooden cabin reminded him that it had only been a dream. He smiled as his vision cleared and he saw his fiancee...He frowned, his fiancee -- he should remember her name...

"Kathryn," he said softly. The woman's face clouded with anger, before a warm smile filled his vision as she leaned down to kiss him.

"L'Torl, my name is L'Torl. Sweetheart, surely you remember my name?" Her voice was full of pain and longing.

"L'Torl," he repeated blankly. "I..." He looked around the cabin, his mind fighting the comfort it offered. "I don't belong here."

"You hit your head. When you have recovered your memory, we will marry and return to where you belong."

He closed his eyes, trying to remember where it was he belonged. "The stars..."

L'Torl laughed. "You're an astronomer," she said quickly and proudly. She again smiled -- a pleased grin spread across her face. She ran her hands down his chest, pleased at the feel of his skin under her fingers. "Sweetheart?" She didn't hide the desire that emanated from every pore in her being.

He started to respond to her gentle, but sensual touches and grabbed her hands and pulled her down on him. She again brought her lips to his and kissed him hungrily.

Suddenly he pushed her off and glared at her. "L'Torl?"

The young woman looked at him furiously, then turned and stormed out the room. She looked through the hidden window and almost screamed in frustration. She didn't dare increase the dosage anymore...

Yet she had to hurry, or risk losing everything.

#

#

Kathryn looked at Tuvok and shook her head slowly, "We can't interfere."

Tuvok quirked an eyebrow and waited several seconds, before speaking. "Captain?"

"He may be in love with L'Torl," she said in a bitter monotone.

"I do not believe so." Tuvok watched her carefully as he continued. "The Commander would not hide his betrothal. Nor would he agree to Voyager being the groom price. I still believe a ruse is our best option. It would be best if it involved someone with whom he has a strong connection."

Kathryn was silent for several moments. What she and Chakotay shared on New Earth was special, and though she was sure he wouldn't mind her sharing it if it meant saving him -- if he were indeed being held against his will, *she* didn't want to share it. It was so close to her heart, the crew would surely be able to see right through her.

"You're right, Tuvok. Perhaps B'Elanna could recount..."

"Captain," Tuvok interrupted. "Forgive any...forwardness, but I believe that you would have a stronger effect on the Commander than Lieutenant Torres. I am aware that a bond exists between the two of..."

"Tuvok" Kathryn cut him off, speaking a little more sharply than necessary. "It's not unusual for a captain and a first officer to have a close relationship."

"I had not suggested otherwise, Captain."

Janeway eyed him for a moment. "First we have to confirm his intentions. Harry's been working on cutting through the dampening field. Meanwhile, let's start planning for our...ruse. That library database should be able to provide us with the information we'd require...

#

#

Chakotay woke, and the fog slowly lifted from his brain. He remembered his dreams, and the woman...Kathryn, she belonged here. Not her, the alien, with the hypnotic eyes, and the blue skin. This was not right.

As if she could read is thoughts, she came in. Carrying water and a handful of pills. "You are still weak; take your medicine. You want to be well before the joining ceremony, don't you?"

"Of course," he tossed the pills into his mouth and then took a sip of the water.

She smiled saccharinely at him, "I'll let you sleep now. Good night my love."

"G'night."

As she left, he spat the pills into his hand. Thank the spirits, she had switched to this cruder method of medicating him. He lay awake thinking. Time, he just needed more time.

#

#

Tuvok studied Janeway for several seconds before he spoke. "Captain, perhaps you should retire for the evening."

She looked up at the first sounds either had made for several hours and yawned. "Not until we find something." She tapped her comm-badge. "Harry, any progress with the scans?"

"No, Captain," Harry's voice replied. "There is some interference that I've not been able to cut through."

"Curious," she said to nobody before continuing. "Natural?"

"I can't tell...But I don't think so."

She glanced at Tuvok. "Concentrate on that area. I want a complete analysis of the interference in two hours."

"Yes Ma'am."

She smiled slightly. "Tuvok, have an assault team ready."

"Captain, might I suggest that diplomacy is a more logical course..."

"They kidnap Chakotay, and you suggest diplomacy..." She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. I will contact...You will contact Prime Minister J'Sone and tell him that Commander Chakotay has a commitment to someone else." She closed her eyes. They had found no other way.

#

#

Tuvok deactivated the link to J'Sone's office. The news they'd received earlier had been somewhat disturbing. According to custom, the claim of previous commitment would have to be made at the joining ceremony before the gathered group of witnesses. Unfortunately, though the Prime Minister had been willing to communicate the time of the joining, he was not forthcoming with the location. They had until sunrise to discover the location, and, to use Tom Paris's term, "crash" the party.

Donning his unaffected Vulcan facade, he moved across the bridge toward the ready room and rang the bell. When the door opened, he was surprised to find the Captain dressed in subdued black assault garb.

"Any news?" she asked, strapping on a tool belt, completely ignoring the disapproving tilt to his brow.

"No, Captain. The Prime Minister was not forthcoming with the location. However, the ceremony is to be held at sunrise." A pause. "Do you think it wise to join the assault team with Commander Chakotay off-ship?"

"I think Tuvok, that this little operation might get down to the wire and I want to be there to make sure that Commander Chakotay has every opportunity to...make his true intentions known."

#

#

He woke to the feeling of lips on his forehead. Not soft and tender, the way Kathryn's had greeted him toward the end of their stay on New Earth, but harsh, and demanding -- a contrast to the words that he heard. "Wake up darling -- you don't want to be late for the joining ceremony. Imagine being late to the most important day of your life."

She handed him a cup of water and the pills, and as he had on the previous two occasions, he palmed them. He had a pretty good idea what the doctor would say if -- no, WHEN he returned to the ship. Psychogenic drugs disorienting him and rendering him highly susceptible to the power of suggestion. Drugs that left him believing that Kathryn was no more than a distant memory, a fragment of a dream, and that he was promised to and in love with someone else -- but no more.

"Sweetheart," how strange the words sounded to his ears, he'd never called Kathryn sweetheart, she was so much more, but here he was, "Sweetheart, where are my clothes."

She laughed then, a laugh that may have been musical at some point, but now sounded merely contrived, "Silly, I left them out on your chair last night. I hope they fit, you've lost weight since you've been ill, so I had the tailor alter them yesterday. I'll wait while you change, and then take you to the meditation chamber."

He let the air he was holding in his lungs escape his mouth soundlessly. At least she was going to do this by standard procedure, that may buy him some time. "Kathryn!" his mind shouted. "Kathryn, you have to find me!"

#

#

J'Eter looked around the room and scowled more. "L'Torl, they suspect. I've been putting them off as long as possible."

The woman shrugged as she finished braiding her hair. "So they suspect. In an hour he'll be mine -- and Voyager will have to forfeit some of that lovely technology."

J'Eter smiled for the first time since arriving at his sister's hide-away. "Yes..."

She walked over and placed a hand on her brother's shoulder and gripped hard. "Don't even think about backing out now. You're in too deep." She laughed evilly as she walked over to a table to pour a glass of red-liquid. She turned and faced him. "All our dreams will be realized today. Power, wealth...No more father."

J'Eter nodded as he took a deep breath. "It was always you who was unhappy with our life..." Her glare silenced him. He looked at the floor uncomfortably. "They are looking for you."

"I figured they would be. You are the only one who knows where I am." She looked around the facility. "But you shouldn't have come." She strode toward the heavy door and smiled. "Or is there something else?"

He didn't look up at her. "Their Captain is claiming that he has a prior commitment."

L'Torl laughed, "She can only claim that at the joining ceremony."

J'Eter chuckled uncomfortably. "And father is too embarrassed to tell them he doesn't know." He looked at her and tried to smile. "You look lovely. He is a lucky man."

L'Torl nodded thoughtfully. "For the moment. Only for the moment. I have no intention of keeping him around once he has served my purpose..."

#

#

"Ensign Kim, how are you coming on our little project," Kathryn Janeway asked from the transporter pad.

"I haven't been able to completely cut through the interference, but I can get you within 2 kilometers."

"That'll have to do," Kathryn responded, eyeing the rest of her team. "Keep a transporter lock as long as you can. Meantime, keep on trying to break through that shielding. I have a feeling we may need to get out in a hurry."

"Yes, Ma'am," Kim responded, already setting to work.

A quick glance at her small team then she turned and gave Tuvok final orders. "If you don't hear from us in 90 minutes, go to plan B. Voyager is under no circumstances to be held as groom price." She nodded toward the transporter chief. "Energize."

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Janeway inhaled the scent of the flowering trees. For all of its other faults, she couldn't begrudge that planet it's beauty. It's what drew the crew there in the first place. She pulled out her tricorder, as expected it was useless. A quick motion to her team to follow as she started jogging deeper into the unreadable region.

They hadn't traveled far when Seven pointed to a small house near a hill. They hit the dirt and began to crawl toward the structure. Janeway had the strange feeling that he was in there.

From this point forward they had very little time to find Chakotay and make contact with Voyager. There was a hiss from behind her. She turned and noted what was being signaled.

A lone figure walked quickly toward them. His dark purple robes clashing with his pale blue skin: he walked right by the away-team without even noticing them.

Seven moved up next to Janeway, "You think the Commander is in the house?"

Janeway nodded. "And my guess is the joining ceremony is about to begin." She motioned for the others to get closer. "We have no time to observe niceties. We're crashing this party." She hoped that L'Torl was arrogant enough to feel she didn't need sensors.

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Chakotay stood as the door to his rooms opened to reveal L'Torl dressed in flowing pale purple robes. A thin headdress extended over each of her eyes before falling over her shoulders in a translucent tumble. Her heavily made-up eyes trailed lazily over her conquest. She frowned at his impassive expression.

Half the counsel was out there, she wouldn't take any chances. "Come here, my love." The cooing tones of her voice seemed to make the Commander stiffen.

When he didn't move, she approached him. "You're just nervous my love." Quickly calculating how much more of the drug she could give him to make him go passively through the ceremony, she adjusted the tool behind her back. A weak dose would have to do -- the last thing she needed was for him to pass-out. She'd already added in an aphrodisiac as insurance.

She paused in her pursuit when he took a step back. "What's the matter?" she asked in her best hurt female voice. Something was definitely not quite right -- perhaps the medicine was wearing off. She upped the dose again...so he'd be slightly over passionate...but controllable.

When he simply smiled and shook his head and mumbled something about nerves, she stopped and turned half toward the door. "You'll do fine. It's time to join the others. Ready?"

At his slight nod, she keyed the door open. When he stepped even with her, she touched his arm. The medicines entered his system with a slight hiss.

Moments later, chaos ensued.

"I challenge the validity of this union!"

"Kathryn!" The one word, slurred by the drugs. It was an invocation, a thanks to the spirits for answering his prayers.

With that one word his bride-to-be knew her plans were foiled, but she was not going to give up. She drew a weapon, and held it to Chakotay's head. "I'm sorry, but you can't do that. You should know by now that women have no authority on this planet. Now, J'Dral, dear, you agree to this union, don't you?" Her finger hovered above the trigger.

"There is an ancient legend among my people," he began.

"There's no time for that!" She waved the gun angrily.

"It's about an angry warrior, who spent his whole life looking for a fight..." Kathryn felt goosebumps crawling up her arms. He was trying to tell her something.

Kathryn quietly motioned for her team to remain still. With a faint smile she noted that Seven had slipped away. Good. With all eyes on her and L'Torl, Seven had made her way around the room. She glanced at Chakotay struggling to understand his meaning...Only one thought crossed her mind -- he was telling her to go...She wouldn't leave...Couldn't leave.

"I challenge the validity of this union!" She repeated controlling the anger in her voice.

The Irudian woman glanced nervously about the room. "NO! He is mine. He loves me!!!" She turned away from Chakotay and pointed the weapon at her father then Janeway. "No one is going to come between J'Dral and me..."

"J'Dral?" Janeway asked.

L'Torl smiled, "His betrothal name...He wishes..."

"Stop speaking for him..." Janeway moved closer. A quick motion of her fingers signaled her team to be ready.

Chakotay felt every eye in the room fall on him. But even as he moved to speak, he could feel whatever L'Torl had injected him with taking over. All of the thoughts that had moments before been in perfect clarity, were muddled. He felt flushed, and out of control. And though he still knew the people around him, his brain would not make all the connections.

The woman, Kathryn, turned toward him, questioningly. "Chakotay?"

He knew that name, yes. Somehow. He glanced at each face and settled back on Kathryn's. He made a connection.

"I can tell you a story," he said, slowly. "An ancient legend among my people. It's about an angry warrior who lived his life in conflict with the rest of his tribe. A man who couldn't find peace even with the help of his spirit guide."

As he continued to speak, his voice became stronger, more sure. "For years he struggled with his discontent. But the only satisfaction he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his tribe but the warrior still longed for peace within himself.

"One day he and his war party were captured by a neighboring tribe lead by a woman warrior. She called on him to join her because her tribe was too small to defend itself from all its enemies. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself that he would stay by her side doing whatever he could to make her burden lighter."

At some point, his surroundings seemed to vanish and he began to step toward her, leaving no question as to whom his words were for. And they must have affected her deeply, as a hand fluttered up and over her mouth and tears welled in her eyes. He came to a stop before her as he uttered the last words.

"From that point on her needs would come first. And in that way the warrior began to know the true meaning of peace."

A mild confusion washed over him as she lifted a hand to him. He took it, and then the other and pulled her to him. "I love you," he whispered before he kissed her.

Both were startled by a furious yell and charging footsteps.

"L'Torl! You have disgraced me, and your family! What is the meaning of this charade!?"

"Father!" He wasn't supposed to be here. "How? Me? Us? Where?"

"See, this is why women aren't allowed to speak here," he directed the comment off-handedly to Kathryn, "They can't even form a coherent thought. Your brother had a sudden attack of conscience."

She turned on her sibling -- eyes blazing and raised her weapon. There was nothing to loose now.

J'Sone turned to the two guards flanking him, "Take L'Torl home. There's to be a wedding today, but not hers."

The prime minister turned to Chakotay, "J'Dral, do you wish to marry this woman," a nod to Kathryn.

Kathryn gasped, her mind racing. She smiled slightly when Chakotay nodded, but stopped herself... "We..." She nodded. The sacrifices she made for her ship...Despite her efforts, her smile grew.

A rapid movement caught her eye. Someone screamed and Chakotay's hands were on her, pulling her to the ground.

There were several more screams, then silence.

Janeway pushed at Chakotay slightly to move him off her and sat up. Everybody in the hall was lying on the ground, except Seven who was standing in the corner holding her compression phaser rifle at the ready.

Kathryn raised her brow questioningly at Seven who was staring across the room. She followed Seven's gaze to the still figure of L'Torl. She lay motionless against the far wall; a small lethal looking blade at her side..

"She was behaving erratically, but is now no longer a threat." She nodded toward the Prime Minister. "You may continue."

There was a brief pause as everyone came to their feet. Two guards carried the unconscious alien woman into an adjoining room and detained her. The Prime Minister watched the happenings with a saddened expression, before turning back toward the couple.

"And now...for the ceremony..."

"J'Dral," the prime minister turned to Chakotay, "Well, at least she did one thing right -- that is an excellent joining name, most appropriate for you." At Chakotay's confused expression, he explained, "It means, one who loves eternally. Few people earn such a name. And now for you captain, we have to decide on a joining name for you." He fixed her with a gaze watching her watch Chakotay, "you are L'Ecahm -- one who's love completes her."

As the assembled crowd watched he confidently repeated passages from the Irudian sacred text -- saying words that were almost as old as the planet itself, but that Kathryn and Chakotay were hearing for the first time. At the end, he blessed them each, and then blessed the union. Saying, "you are now joined, you must seal the union with a kiss."

Kathryn started, how ironic, how appropriate, that their first kiss would be shared at a wedding, in front of an audience of hundreds -- aliens and a few crew members. As she looked into his eyes however, the rest of her train of thought melted away, and he was the only one.

His lips confidently claimed possession of her body and soul, so soft, so demanding. Four years of walls built to hide from him crashed to the ground as he whispered into her willing mouth, "I love you."

"Captain." Janeway was barely aware of Seven's voice through the haze. When the former-Borg spoke again, Janeway reluctantly pulled away from Chakotay's embrace.

"Yes, Seven?" She managed to say with some sense of command.

"I have found the power source and shut-down the force field. We are able to contact Voyager again." Seven studied the couple with a perplexed expression.

"Very good Seven." She started to tap her comm-badge, but stopped. "Mr. Prime Minister..." She glanced around quickly.

"Yes, Captain...L'Ecahm." He smiled slightly.

"I wish to thank you for your help..."

The minister nodded. "And I want to apologize for the behavior of my daughter..." He glanced at the audience. "To the newlyweds. May they have many years of happiness together."

Janeway blushed, the other members of her away-team were smiling and applauding. Seven stood there looking puzzled.

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Kathryn sat gazing at the Irudian sun as it moved lower across the horizon. She felt a great sense of satisfaction, although rightly she should have been scared to death. Earlier, she'd spoken for Voyager before the council, thanking them for their, admittedly luke-warm, hospitality and the secluded island retreat they'd presented as a bonding gift for her and Chakotay. She glanced around the surroundings, breathing deeply of the beauty of the place.

A pair of warm arms encircled her shoulders, causing her exhalation to turn into a contented moan. Somehow, when she'd thought of giving in to a relationship with this man, this wonderful warmth had not crossed her mind -- more like abject terror. He placed a PADD in her lap, and lingered to plant a kiss beneath her ear.

"What's this?" she asked, distracted by his soft lips.

"Readings. What's the point in having our own island if we can't take a piece of it with us?" His lips dropped lower. "I plan to revisit this shore leave as often as possible."

Kathryn turned to fully receive his kiss. "Oh, I think that should be our prime directive."

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