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HOWS
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Mature People

Title: HOWS
Author: Ky (venom69)
Fandom: Star Trek: Voyager
Rating: Mature People
Summary: His biggest problem was that she was, well, hot.
Character/Pairing: Janeway/Chakotay, Perhaps a little J/Paris and C/P
Spoilers: None… the show’s ended!
Warnings: None.
Prompt Number for [info]fic101: 47 - Sore
Author’s Notes: Song belongs to Janet Jackson. (That was the version that played when I was writing this, anyway) Written for [info]shayenne over a week ago but I completely forgot to post it!
Disclaimer: Usual guff. Not mine, promise to put them back where I found them.
Date: 01/02/07

***

On and on it seems to go
But you don't know what you've got
till it's gone

***

His biggest problem wasn't that she was his boss.

No, he could handle that - and he could even handle it with some dignity, on special occasions.

He had known from the start that she would be his boss, he had been prepared for that - though he hadn't anticipated never being able to request a transfer if she turned out to be a bad boss - and he had been able to deal with it.

His biggest problem was that she was, well, hot.

There was a bit of an age difference, of course. And he often thought that there was probably an intelligence difference too.

But she was hot.

And he was definitely suffering Hot Older Woman Syndrome.

Tom knew that Starfleet had designed their uniforms to be as concealing as possible. Officers were on duty to work, not to check out their Shipmates.

Unfortunately, what Starfleet hadn't counted on, was Kathryn Janeway's ability to strut around like she owned the place - which, he mused, she actually did in a way - with her hands on her hips. Which pulled her uniform tightly across her chest.

Yep.

She was hot.

He found it a little weird that she knew his father - and even weirder that she, effectively, gave him his 'get out of jail free' card - but Tom was never going to let that get in the way of her general attractiveness.

Apparently, neither was anyone else.

He had overheard - and been part of - several conversations about the attributes of Voyager's Captain and Tom knew that he wasn't the only one that appreciated her as a woman as well as a leader.

As much as he wished that his attraction to her was purely physical - the hips and the strutting and, oh god, the hair - Tom knew that a lot of it was her personality.

She was strong and compassionate and intelligent and wise and talented and funny and caring.

And she was hot, which helped.

***

Aside from the fact that he was completely against violence towards women, when he saw her in the corridor, his first instinct was to slap her upside the head - even though she was his boss - and ask her what the hell she had been thinking.

Instead, he settled for, "You cut your hair!"

There was at least seven inches - he guessed - of auburn hair absent. She had it tied back in some kind of clip and the pony tail hung down past her shoulders.

She blinked at him - probably surprised that a male had noticed and dared to comment - before nodding slowly. "Yes."

"But... why?" He wasn't going to pout but, damnit, her long hair had been the subject of a few - a lot - of his fantasies over the previous two years and it was like loosing a best friend to see it gone.

She was still staring at him, eyebrow arched and a strange expression on her face.

Which may have made her looked hotter.

Tom coughed. "I mean, 'why ma'am'?"

"Does it bother you, Lieutenant?"

The use of his rank pretty much told him that now would be a really good time to shut his mouth, tuck his metaphorical tail between his legs and beat a hasty retreat.

Yeah, that would be the smart thing to do.

Which basically meant that he went in the opposite direction.

"I'm just... surprised, is all."

"Next time I decide to cut my hair, I'll send you a memo beforehand."

Tom nodded and decided that his hasty retreat idea was a good plan right about now.

***

When she walked into Sandrines, people noticed.

The Captain was here and their behavior was adjusted accordingly. (Which basically meant that Jenny wouldn't get drunk and end up dancing on a table until she had left.)

When she walked into Sandrines in civilian clothes, the men noticed.

Kathryn was here for a night among friends and their behavior didn't need to be adjusted - though Jenny would still hold off on dancing. For a while, at least - and they could relax with her company.

The blue dress was one that they'd all seen before, but Tom still bit back the urge to whistle.

Chakotay was the first to greet her, as always, presenting her with a glass of synthanol and smiling as they exchanged a few words.

He couldn't hear what was said from his position at the pool table - though he could imagine - but when Kathryn caught his eye, Tom cocked his head in the general direction of the balls that he'd racked up and raised an eyebrow.

She nodded and excused herself from the conversation with Chakotay before moving over to stand next to him.

"Your break?" She asked.

"Sure. Either way, I'm going to beat you this time." He nudged her shoulder.

While it was tradition for them to play a game whenever she had time to stop by the quaint little bar - and it was probably tradition for him to loose pathetically, as well - they always managed to throw a bit of sparring into the mix.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You say that every time, Mr. Paris."

"I get points for consistency though, right?"

Laughing, She stepped away to get a cue before leaning on it as she waited.

Tom bent over and lined up his shot. Sliding the cue between his fingers, he sent the white ball rolling towards the triangle at the other end and even managed to sink two.

Standing, he turned around and grinned at her. "Solids."

***

It was halfway through the second game when he noticed Chakotay watching them.

Well, watching her.

Tom, like most of the crew, wasn't stupid. He knew that there was an attraction between their Commanding Officers. He also knew that if the Captain were to take a lover on Voyager, it was more than likely going to be the First Officer. He had rations riding on the timing of their relationship.

It didn't stop him from wanting her.

Or him, some days.

He'd had his share of experiences in life and, while he considered himself predominantly straight, he could appreciate the darkly handsome aspect of Chakotay.

Tom knew very well that the big guy would never go for it, but it was nice to wonder, sometimes.

"I believe it's your turn, Mr. Paris."

Turning his attention back to the Captain, he smiled. "I'm just drawing it out so you don't loose too quickly."

She cocked an eyebrow - damnit she was hot - and huffed her amusement. "I believe you said that last game."

"And I only lost by four balls."

***

He saw the look that Chakotay threw him when Voyager's XO moved to escort the Captain back to her - or his - quarters.

It was a look that Tom had seen on the face of quite a few men over the years. The one that clearly read 'back off.'

A dark hand moved to the small of her back and she smiled at him, murmuring something that wasn't meant for the ears of anyone else.

Chakotay's thumb was stroking across her spine and his eyes were hard as he spoke to her. She probably didn't realize it, but when he spoke, she curled her body closer to his, responding to the alpha male vibes that radiated off him.

Tom whistled under his breath.

Looked like the Captain was going to get lucky tonight... and be sore tomorrow morning.

He wondered if Voyager's XO was finally showing what he was made of and staking a claim. (And there may have been some mental calculations about who he'd have to pay out rations to involved, as well.)

Watching them leave, he jumped a little when B'Elanna moved to his side. "Stop drooling."

"I'm not."

"You are. It's pathetic."

"Jealous?"

She snorted. "You wish."

Studying her features for a moment, Tom smiled. "Fancy a game?"

"Rack 'em up, helm boy."

She didn't hesitate in responding and Tom thought that it would be an interesting game, if nothing else...

***

End

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