Disclaimer: Paramount's. Not mine.
by Kelly
"The crew is doing what?
"Writing stories, Captain," repeated Tuvok. "Romantic stories featuring you and Inspector Kashyk."
"They have stored them in an encrypted archive," added Chakotay in a carefully neutral tone, handing her a PADD. "Dozens of them. I found them...illuminating."
Janeway threw him a suspicious glance, but his face was unreadable. You learned that trick in the Maquis if you lived long enough. Or if you lived with Kathryn Janeway long enough.
"Well, I won't have it. It's gross insubordination."
"On the contrary, Captain," contradicted Tuvok. "It is a healthy psychological manifestation. The crew is concerned and unsettled by your...liaison with an alien whom it would be easy to regard as threatening. The stories are the crew's way of making sense of an attraction that might seem to many to be...illogical."
"What is it with you two and these damned artful pauses? And this!" She dropped the PADD to the table. "Just what is it you expect me to do about this?"
"If I were you, Captain, I would consider spending the evening with a good book," replied Tuvok. "Good night, Captain."
"Captain," nodded Chakotay. They saw themselves out.
Kathryn cursed and paced and finally flung herself on the
ready room couch, PADD in hand. And began to read.
"The Secret Diaries of J and K #1
Yearning, by Sue N.
She is so beautiful and so alone. No wonder she wants this
exotic, handsome man..."
Well, maybe "insubordination" had been too strong, thought
Kathryn. She quite liked this tragically lovely picture of
herself. How perceptive of Sue.
She read on.
"The Secret Diaries of J and K #2
Suck it Up, by the Kimster Rated NC-17"
NC-17? Some sort of fictional starship registration?
Kathryn wondered.
She read on.
"She was on her knees in front of him, naked, her mouth..."
Damn it to hell!! She reached for her comm badge. By
gods, she'd haul Tuvok and Chakotay right back...
Then she paused. Artfully. And said,
"Janeway to Kashyk."
The End