"I don't like it."

"I heard you the first time," Kathryn Janeway said, muttering under her breath.

"What?"

"All *right* then," Janeway called out to her first officer in the other room, "will you please come in here and tell me what's bothering you? Or are you just being over-"

Chakotay followed her into the head. "No, I'm *not* just being overprotective." he argued. "I'm speaking as your first officer. I have real reservations about..." He paused in the doorway, stopped momentarily by the sight of his captain.

She was leaning against the vanity, facing him, arms crossed. The silk of her nightgown glistened and the combination of enticing female and commanding officer charmed Chakotay, as always. He moved closer, his hands resting lightly on her waist. "Well, all right. Maybe a *little* overprotective. But the Ji'nai just seem too good to be true. They're welcoming us with open arms. Doesn't that strike you as suspicious?"

She considered that. "They're a warp civilization, Chakotay. They knew we were in this sector long before we announced ourselves. They're obviously capable of defending themselves, so they don't feel threatened by us. And we can defend ourselves against them, to the best of my knowledge. That's a good balance to start talks with."

"I know. And at least they sent a representative up here *first*. But--"

"But-" Janeway prompted.

Chakotay frowned at her. "They're awfully eager to have you beam down. They ask a lot of questions. They're awfully damned curious, Kathryn."

Janeway shrugged. "Bottom line? They want to sell us something. A lot of somethings. So they want to know what we need. And what they can get out of us."

"Maybe." He wasn't convinced.

"Anyway, I'm not going alone. B'Elanna's going with me, to look over what they're offering. She knows more about it than I do anyway. Tuvok's had scouts down there off and on all day. There haven't been any surprises. And he'll be sending someone from security with me."

Chakotay sighed. "Kathryn...listen to me." He paused, marshalling his thoughts. "I know I tend to overreact at times. Being too trusting, or not enough. But the fact is, we don't know anything about these people, or their world, except what they tell us. And that isn't good enough. I don't trust them."

Janeway arched an eyebrow. "Who said I did?"

"Well... good. Please, do me a favor."

"What?" She braced herself, hoping he wasn't going to play dirty or ask for something she'd have to refuse.

"Just keep your communicator channel open all the time. Do that, for me."

She narrowed her eyes. "Of course I'll keep an active link. I'm not foolish, you know."

"I'm not implying that. I just... Listen, humor me, will you?" It was a genuine question.

Kathryn was very pleased at that. That had been one of her fears, before she allowed this relationship to deepen. That Chakotay would try to protect her so much that she'd be stifled and couldn't do her job...or, to be honest, that she'd do that to him. Not to mention the fear that she'd lose her sense of proportion, her fair judgment. Well, they were managing pretty well so far, to keep the balance between professional concern and personal involvement. It was a fine line.

She smiled at him. "Since you put it that way," she offered, "maybe I will. Maybe I'll even ask the doctor for a subdermal implant. Will that satisfy you?"

He smiled back. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I mean it. I'll feel better."

"I really hate them, you know," she added. "They always itch."

"Then I really do appreciate it." He grinned slyly. "I'll make it up to you."

She hid her smile this time. "Is that a promise?"

"Yeah. So...are we finished with our conference, Captain?" Chakotay slid his hands down her back, pulling her toward him.

"Mmm," she nodded, "I think so. We've agreed to disagree. I'm going down in the morning. You're holding the fort. You don't trust them. And I'm going to wear an implant, just to appease you. Does that about cover it?"

"I guess. So we're off duty." Chakotay's eyes were warm.

"Um hmm."

"Good." He bent to nuzzle under her jaw, grazing where her pulse beat strongly under the skin.

Kathryn lifted her head slightly to give him better access, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. "We won't have a lot of time in the morning," she said noncommittally.

"Probably ought to take advantage of it now, then," Chakotay agreed, sliding his hands down her arms and back.

"Yeah," she nodded. "We should get some sleep." She slid away from him, pulling her gown into place, walking into the bedroom. Chakotay stayed in the doorway, watching her, eyes resting on the play of shadow and light on silk as she moved. He couldn't see her face.

Only her hair, and the sound of her voice as she asked, "Are you coming to bed?"

Only the proud carriage of her shoulders, as he walked up behind her and slid his arms around her, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath the silk. And the smile in her eyes, as she lifted her face to his.
 
 

It was interesting, the different reactions her crew had to a new planet. After their initial contact with the Ji'nai, and Tuvok's preliminary investigation, Janeway beamed down with B'Elanna Torres and Emma Goldblum from Security. They compared notes afterward, standard procedure for a debriefing. Janeway didn't have to share her own reactions - captain's privilege - and she didn't, always. But this time there was no need for discretion. The natives they'd met had seemed straightforward, if a bit predatory. That wasn't surprising in an exchange that focused primarily on trade, and profit for the planet. Torres had commented that not only was their hardware overpriced and not entirely suitable for Voyager - though possibly adaptable - but she also wouldn't trust them as far as she could throw them.

Tuvok had called them 'refreshingly direct'.

Goldblum had focused more on the security risks and searched for subtle dangers, since overt ones didn't seem to be there. She'd added a few of her own reservations, off the record, about the locals. "They were a little too polite, if you ask me."

"They want to sell us something. Of course they're being polite." Janeway was playing devil's advocate.

"Maybe, Captain," Emma had added, doubtfully. "It was just a little too kid-glove to me. They were so damn solicitous it-"

"I know. They held the doors open for us. They waited till we sat before they did. I don't know. I kind of enjoyed it," Janeway rolled her eyes, inviting Goldblum to share her amusement.

"It made me bloody nervous after a while, that's all. I couldn't figure out their angle."

Janeway shrugged. "I gathered from some comments the Chancellor made that they treat all their females like that. It must be a sort of-overreaction. They're having trouble keeping their population stable. Low birth rate, that sort of thing."

"Maybe," Goldblum frowned. "I've been places where women were strictly brood mares. At least this wasn't that bad. But it struck me as a little suspicious, all the same."

Janeway just smiled, knowing you had to take the source into account. Goldblum had spent almost 20 years in security. She was *supposed* to see problems around every corner, and subvert them. That was her job.

Still, it didn't hurt to be cautious.

She reminded Chakotay of that while he prepared to beam down the next morning. That's one advantage to this relationship, she thought, smiling to herself. Think of how efficiently you can use the time, say, while he's getting dressed. Talk about a new definition for 'early morning meeting'...

But as she wandered through her quarters, sipping coffee, her mind was focused more on the upcoming negotiations. Chakotay had the hands-on responsibility for devising a suitable trade with the Ji'nai, conceding only those items such as charts or equivalent technology with the planet. He was a better horse trader than she was, though she hated to admit it.

"-and you've got the list of everything B'Elanna wants. I don't expect to get it all, but we've got to try." She shrugged at a dark look from her first officer. "I can't say I trust them either. There's a little too much of the 'under a microscope' feeling. It gets on my nerves." She sorted through her toiletries as she spoke. "Damn it--"

"We probably are under a microscope. More or less. We're strangers to them. That part I understand."

"All the same, keep your eyes open. Be careful down there." She glanced around the room with only the forefront of her attention. "Have you seen my hairbrush?"

Chakotay spotted it on the shelf in the shower. "Here. Why on earth did you leave it in there? --Now you're telling *me* to be careful? I thought that was my line, the other night."

"As I recall you had a lot of lines that night." Janeway murmured. "Besides, you were just being overprotective, remember?" She took the brush from him and bent over at the waist, running it through her slightly-damp hair till it was silky and full.

"How come if I sound worried, it's overprotective, but if you do it, you're just being cautious?"

She twisted her head and looked at him from under the curtain of hair. "Because I'm the captain?"

Chakotay made a rude noise. "Bull. I'm not buying." He watched her for a minute in silence. "Damn it, Kathryn, do you have to do that?"

She straightened up in surprise. "Do what?"

"That." He closed the distance between them and slid his hands through her hair, down her shoulders, his movements slow and calculated as he cupped her breasts through the uniform. "You pick the damnedest times to turn me on."

"Oh." She turned in his arms, pressing herself against him in a movement plainly carnal. "Do I? Good. I like to keep you off balance."

"Believe me. You're good at that." He lifted her closer, his pelvis grinding against her, his mouth seeking hers. But after a moment he broke the kiss. "We don't have time for this."

Kathryn watched him through half-closed eyes. "Not even a quickie?"

"As if I wasn't late already. No thanks to you. And you're not a 'quickie' person." Then he appeared to reconsider. "Still, if you think we can spare a couple minutes..."

She laughed, deep in her throat. Chakotay looked ruefully at her. "Don't tempt me."

"All right. I won't. Maybe I just want you to think about me. You know. In the back of your mind, where I won't be in the way."

"I do that all the time anyway."

Kathryn turned back to the mirror and met his eyes in the reflection. Chakotay cleared his throat. "So. You still coming down to the embassy tonight?"

"Of course. According to Tuvok--and what the Chancellor inferred--well, they won't finalize anything except in their own territory. The reception tonight is the formality they asked for." She shrugged.

"Then I'll see you later." He turned at the door. "I don't suppose I could convince you to take the afternoon off."

"Why?"

The corner of his mouth twitched. "If I have all day to think about it...I thought maybe you could use the rest."

She appeared to consider that seriously. "Well, I don't know. I suppose if you can arrange to get *all* the hardware B'Elanna wants..."

Chakotay groaned.
 
 

Preliminary reports from the away team seemed promising. Tuvok took a team down for another scan, coordinating his visit with Chakotay's, and returned from the planet late that morning. Janeway forwarded his findings to Engineering. The Ji'nai had an extensive hardware inventory, and B'Elanna's list of metals was going to be supplemented with some sophisticated sensor relays and an intriguing new replicator matrix. If they could afford it. The prices weren't cheap. It looked as if Chakotay had some tough dickering ahead.

He checked in just after Tuvok beamed aboard. "-and so far, they're asking a hell of a lot more than we're willing to offer for any of the hardware. And the translator tech costs extra. I don't know, Kathryn."

"I have faith in you, Commander."

He could practically see the grin. "Yeah. Thanks. I just wanted to warn you, if I can get everything on this list, I'll...I'll...Well, let me put it this way. Did you take that nap?"

"It's not even lunchtime, you know. No. Not yet."

"Just looking ahead. If I'm going to have to work this hard I want to know there's a payoff at the end."

Janeway choked back a laugh. "Just do it. We'll think of something."

"Okay, I'm motivated. Kathryn...um, where are you?"

"In my ready room."

"Oh. Good. Because what I had in mind-"

"I've just gotten Tuvok's report," Janeway interrupted hastily. "He and B'Elanna are due back soon. Any minute. I'll let you know of any changes in our requisition list."

"Oh. Well, I've got company myself. The Minister of Trade has invited me to lunch. I think they're trying to soften me up."

"Then I suppose you'd better get back to it. Have fun shopping."

"It'd be more...um, belay that. All right. I'll see you tonight, at the embassy. Unless you're coming down before that?"

"I don't think so. I don't want to cramp your style, anyway."

"Never. I wish...all right. Tonight, then. Chakotay out."

Janeway leaned back, warmed by Chakotay's call. He didn't usually tease quite so personally, not over an open comm link. She grinned suddenly. If he got the whole list - well, it was going to be an interesting evening.
 
 
 

It wasn't until she collected her lunch tray in the mess hall that Janeway realized how seldom she'd eaten there, in the past few weeks. Well, she didn't have time for a leisurely lunch, anyway. She sat alone, at the table in the corner she usually used, and listened idly to the chatter around her as she ate.

"-and you wouldn't believe how he came on to me. It was just after he came back with Tuvok's team. I guess he got tired of the stone-face routine...I don't think I've *ever* seen him that aggressive. I kind of liked it."

"You're kidding. I swear, I thought he didn't like girls, for a while there. You couldn't get a move out of him if you bought him three drinks in Sandrine's."

"Yeah, well, it sure felt like a pass to me. I haven't been so surprised by a grab since my first year at the academy. I don't know what happened this morning, but he--"

Janeway listened, hiding her smile. She was missing a lot of the gossip, lately. She didn't know who Megan was talking about, but there was usually some man or other in her life. Or it seemed that way.

The room was crowded. Seven nodded as the captain's gaze touched her, but returned her attention to the conversation at her own table. There was Tom Johnson, looking a little flushed, maybe he'd just gotten back from the gym, and several of the Astrometrics and Stellar Cartography crew at the table with Seven. Janeway frowned. They were probably talking shop. Well, it wasn't much in the way of social interaction, but it was a start.

She picked over her food a little more before giving up on the effort. She was late again. She had to go over several reports before the embassy dinner. It wouldn't do for the Captain to be less well informed than her second in command, even if he was the one doing most of the work this time. Seven intercepted her as she carried her tray to the counter. "I would like to speak to you."

At least she hadn't demanded, this time, Janeway thought. "Of course, Seven. What's on your mind?"

The former Borg looked around the room slowly, not omitting the table she'd just vacated. "Not here."

Oh. "Well then walk with me, won't you? I was just on my way back to the bridge." They headed toward the turbolift, Seven striding effortlessly beside Janeway's habitual hurried pace. "Now. What is it?"

"I had a most...peculiar encounter with Crewman Johnson."

"Uh...Johnson. Tom. Okay. I saw him sitting on your table. Why was it peculiar?" They entered the lift together. "Bridge."

"He was most...demonstrative. That is very unlike his usual behavior. Nor did I understand his referent." At Janeway's questioning look, Seven continued. "We were working together just before the scheduled meal break."

"Down in astrometrics? I thought he went planetside with Tuvok this morning."

Janeway reviewed what she knew of Johnson, which wasn't much. Quiet. Good reports from his section chief. Played a mediocre game of hoverball, if she remembered B'Elanna's comments correctly.

"He did. He had returned from the away team approximately twenty minutes before he joined me in the laboratory."

Janeway was in too much of a hurry to be as patient as she meant to be. "And -- he puzzled you by..."

"He asked if I would 'go out' with him. When I asked 'go out *where*, as there are obviously limited choices as to where we could possibly go, and for what purpose-"

"Ah. He was asking you for a date."

"A 'date'," Seven paused, obviously examining the term. "That would refer to an assignation, or an appointment, or-"

"--A little social intercourse, Seven. Conversation. Getting to know each other." Janeway said gently.

"I see." Frown. "He was most insistent. He placed his hands on me."

Oh dear. "Where?"

"In the astrometrics laboratory, as I said."

Why is it always when I'm in a hurry, Janeway wondered. "No. I meant where did he put his hands. -Computer, hold lift." She supposed it wouldn't do to just abandon Seven, right now, when she was actually asking for advice. Or something.

The young woman raised an eyebrow as the turbolift stalled. "Is the location relevant?"

"Well-it could have been simply a friendly gesture. Or an overture. Or completely inappropriate. I was just wondering which."

"I removed them."

"Removed-" This was like pulling teeth.

"Yes."

"I see." Janeway swallowed a sigh. "Seven...what was your question?"

"He has always been reticent and courteous. His actions today puzzled me. They did not fit his pattern. His respiration was elevated, his pupils were dilated, his temperature-"

"I get the idea. Um...it's possible, you know, that he was simply...reacting to your presence." At Seven's look of disbelief, Janeway forged ahead. "People *do* that, you know. Respond to someone they find attractive. It's pretty much an involuntary response. You have to decide for yourself whether or not you

want to encourage it. Him."

"Yes. I have observed similar behavior in-" Seven cast her eye on Janeway again, doubtfully, and stopped speaking. Maybe she was learning some tact.

"Then you advocate that-"

"Hold it right there," Janeway said, shaking her head. "I'm not *advocating* anything. You have to decide how to react, or whether to react at all. If I were you, I'd take it slowly."

"Take *what* slowly? -Captain."

Janeway did sigh this time. "Do you like Tom Johnson?"

"I had not considered it. The matter is...irrelevant."

Janeway touched her hand to her forehead. She was beginning to get a headache. "Then...I'd definitely take it slowly." She looked over at her protégé. "Just be yourself, Seven. That's the only guide you've got."

That, at least, made sense. "Very well, Captain. I will tell Crewman Johnson to...slow down. And-"

"And?"

"To keep his hands to himself."

"That sounds fine, Seven. Computer--resume. Forgive me, Seven. But I'm late."
 
 

And this latest meeting had been going on for over half an hour. Janeway expected Tuvok to be thorough, especially since he was briefing her on salient points to be covered at the talks this evening, and those pitfalls of which he was aware. She expected him to be thorough. But this bordered on the pedantic. "Tuvok - excuse me. But we're going to have to call it a day. I'm late. Again." She stood up from her desk pointedly. "If there's nothing else, I've got to get changed for the reception. I assume you'll be beaming down at the same time?"

"It seems an unnecessary risk to have all your senior officers off the ship for the entire evening, Captain."

She sighed. "I know. But it's their call. If we want to trade with them...and we do...well, we play by their rules. Within reason. You've briefed all the relief officers, of course."

"Of course."

"Then I'll see you in the transporter room."
 
 

The Ji'nai were clearly used to hosting these functions. The reception, the formal introductions, the traditional foods...each aspect of the gathering was ritualized and precise. It was reminiscent of a hundred social dinners she'd had to endure at Starfleet, on dozens of federation worlds, even at her own home as she'd grown up. So Janeway deflected the interminable courtesies, the slightly claustrophobic air of too many bodies contained in too small a space, too many alien scents and tastes for any relaxation. She wasn't here to relax. She was here to seal a trade agreement.

The operative link between this dinner and that agreement was Chakotay. And he was strangely abrupt during the introductions. Her executive officer was seated across from her at one of the banquet tables, not quite close enough for anything but formal conversation. Janeway studied him worriedly as the evening wore on. Chakotay was tense and uncommunicative, displaying none of his usual ease. She'd ask him what was wrong as soon as they had a chance to speak privately.

Would this dinner never end?

She was chatting with the trade emissary on her left, trying with limited success to be charming but noncommittal, when she caught Chakotay's gaze on her. Again. It was unsettling. If something was wrong, he'd better mention it before she inadvertently said the wrong thing. He'd spent more time with these people than she had. Something was clearly disturbing him.

"Commander," Janeway finally leaned across the table to him and murmured, "you're staring. If there's something--."

"I need to talk to you." Chakotay's look was, if anything, more intense than before.

/Oh, hell, what's happened?/ Janeway wondered, worry stirring in the pit of her stomach. "Can it wait?"

"No. It can't." His look was private, aimed straight at her.

That look communicated more to Janeway than any speech. Chakotay wouldn't presume, wouldn't take advantage in this public setting, without a good reason. She leaned close again, speaking softly. "Wait for me in the Chancellor's antechamber. Where I beamed down. I'll join you as soon as I can."

Chakotay excused himself, almost visibly hurrying, and Janeway didn't hear what the Ji'nari next to her said as she watched her first officer leave the room. The negotiations had been going well, or so she'd thought. God knows what Chakotay had uncovered. She turned her attention belatedly to the tradesman on her left.

"-and I think you'll find that the adaptations are a simple matter. Once you've-"

"Forgive me, Fra Ankala." Janeway smiled slightly to ease the sting of her interruption. "My chief engineer is the one who truly needs to hear your words. She understands the intricacies of the coil alignment much better than I."

"Then you have chosen your people well." The alien was unruffled, and his gaze wandered for a moment toward the door through which Chakotay had exited.

"And my first officer has asked to speak to me. I should find out if there's any small problem, before we proceed."

"Of course." The Ji'nari watched her, a look of understanding passing over his features.

Janeway wasn't sure exactly what he thought he understood, but apparently she wouldn't be creating an incident by leaving for a few moments. She slid her chair back. "This shouldn't take long. If you'll excuse me?" She caught Tuvok's eye and made an 'it's all right, wait' gesture with her hands.

"Of course, Captain. Whatever you need."

Thankfully her table was near the exit. Janeway crossed quietly through the archway, trying to remember which doorway off this corridor led to the...ah. That one. She hesitated, knocked once in case those amenities were used here, and opened the door quietly.

Chakotay was alone in the room. He was facing the door, the look of intensity still on his face. "Kathryn," he breathed in relief, as if he hadn't been quite sure she'd come.

"What's the matter? Has something happened?"

He crossed to her, shaking his head. "It's just...it's so...I couldn't breathe in there. I had to see you."

"What?" The disbelief was clear in Janeway's voice. "We've got a roomful of diplomats to appease, we're in the middle of negotiations, and you had to see me. What's wrong?"

He was standing very close now. "You have no idea how you looked in there, do you. Like you owned the room. Like it was yours."

"Chakotay?" This was completely unlike him. Not on duty. Never on duty. "Are you all right? Your face is flushed, you're sweating. Tell me what's wr-" His mouth stopped her words. He kissed her, opening her mouth under his, his hands sweeping from her shoulders down to her breasts. Janeway broke away from him. "What's gotten into you?"

Caressing her, his hand encountered the comm badge Janeway wore as her only decoration. Absently, he plucked it from the fabric and tossed it away. "You don't need that right now," he said, ignoring her comment.

She stared at him. "Dammit-" But she was more worried than angry. What was wrong with him? She reached for his hand as he tried to slide her dress off her shoulder, his lips nibbling at her neck. "Chakotay. You can't be serious. Come on. We've got to back out there."

"No, we don't, love. They don't need us. And I need you." He twisted his hand around hers to pull her closer. His other hand slipped around her waist. "I need you," he repeated, his lips pressed to her throat.

"This is not *like* you...oh," Janeway said, as his mouth found a particularly sensitive spot. Then she shook her head slightly. It was as if he wasn't even hearing her. "Come on. We'd better get back to the ship."

"Not now," he breathed. "Kathryn--"
 
 

It had been twenty minutes since Captain Janeway excused herself to follow Commander Chakotay. Much longer than a simple retrieval should have taken. Tuvok turned to the Ji'nari on his right. "Forgive me. I believe my captain may have encountered some difficulty. Perhaps I should find her before we address these final questions." At the courteous nod from the native, Tuvok slid his chair back from the table and gestured at Tom Paris to accompany him. They set off through the doorway they'd seen the captain use.

"Something's not right," Paris said quietly. "I can't put my finger on it. It's like everybody's getting a little...twitchy. Even Harry's been acting like he's had a little too much to drink. Hell, you *can't* get drunk on the stuff they've been serving in there. And--"

Tuvok held up a hand for silence. After a moment he nodded. "'Twitchy' is not the adjective I would have chosen. But I have noticed that several individuals have seemed--unsettled." He headed unerringly down the hall.

"You sure she went this way?" Paris trotted behind the Vulcan.

"I can hear her. She is here. And that is Commander Chakotay's voice. At least they have not been separated." Tuvok didn't express relief, but it was there nonetheless. Still, the captain had sounded...unusual. Possibly she was in need of assistance. He studied the several doors before them, waiting to hear the muffled voice again.

"And that too," Paris added. "I don't know, he looked like he was kind of off his feed. Something was really bothering--"

Tuvok wasn't paying attention. He was focused on the fourth door in the corridor. "This way."